Iowa Automotive History

R

Ron/IA

Well-known member
I originally put this information on a thread which changed the title's subject. I apologize for that, and have put said information under a more suitable title.

Henry Ford had a plant in Des Moines IA starting in the early 1920's (I think, I have not been able to confirm the exact date yet).

The web address below (for those interested) is some history of the automotive industry in Iowa:

http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/mypath.cfm?ounid=ob_000010

Just browse around the site pertaining to "Transportation".

A book titled "Iowa Automobiles by Bill Jepsen" is one of the best about Iowa auto manufacturers.

I was on a kick looking up Iowa automotive history today, and thought I would pass on some of what I found.
 
The Jepsen book is first rate-it was a limited edition,self published. If you get a chance to buy it I would recommend it. I got mine from the Grinnell College Book Store-you might be able to get it form them.

I would also recommend "Great Cars of the Great Plains" by Curt McConnell-very good coverage of the Spaulding, plus other midwest cars like the Moon. Also "Eight Women,Two Model T's and the American West" by Joann Wilke-a great remembrance of an adventurous group of women in the early years of cross country travel.

Finally, take in the "Antique Car Museum of Iowa" in Coralville-across the river from Iowa City. An excellent selection of old cars, and it was free when I went there.

Not bad for a Pennsylvania boy, huh?
 
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