Chase Motor Truck

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The Chase Motor Truck Company was born from a long history of farm implement manufacturing. Aurin M. Chase, former vice president of the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company, which had been in business since 1804, took the reins and began producing a one-ton truck with an air-cooled engine that ran on three cylinders. Backed by influential figures like Paul Bellinger from the Solvay Process Company and Roy Grant of Grant's Hardware, Chase had big plans for his new venture. That same year, Chase made a shrewd business move by selling the Syracuse Chilled Plow Company to Deere & Co., paving the way for his own success. In the early days of automobile manufacturing, Chase had an innovative idea - a gasoline-fueled "high wheeler" that could be transformed into either a truck or passenger car. With oversized wheels and a 100-inch wheelbase, this vehicle provided a smooth ride while offering plenty of road clearance to navigate large obstacles. The "Chase high wheeler" came equipped with elliptic springs for an extra-smooth ride and band-type brakes located on the rear wheels, making it easy to replace the brake linings. Weighing in at 1,500 pounds, this vehicle was designed for business use, not pleasure driving. Chase's company motto in 1912 advertisements proudly declared, "The emblem of efficiency." According to Chase, their trucks were built for service, not leisure. The fact that leading businesses everywhere were placing repeat orders spoke volumes about the Chase truck's efficiency and simplicity. They claimed it was the most efficient light delivery truck on the market at the time.