TheMorsautomobile factory was an early French car manufacturer. It was one of the first to take part inautomobile racing, beginning in 1897, due to the belief of the company founder, Émile Mors, in racing's technical and promotional benefits. By the turn of the century, automobile racing had become largely a contest between Mors andPanhard et Levassor.
Mors was one of the first automobiles to use theV engine configuration. The Mors 60 horsepowerGrand Prix car was powered by a 9.2-litreV4side valve engine, withmagneto ignition anddry sump lubrication, which could reach 950 rpm. The car had a steel chassis and a four-speedtransmission that drove the rear wheels viachain drive, and rear-wheelbrakes. In 1902, Mors added pneumaticshock absorbers to their cars,[1] which represented a great leap forward given the quality of the roads and racetracks at the time. With this car, Henri Fournier was able to win the highly significant Paris-Berlin race, with the drive chain breaking immediately afterwards.
Mors ended racing in 1908. Plans to return to auto racing were cancelled due toWorld War I.[2]
André Citroën became chairman of Mors in 1908 and restored the company's viability. In 1925, Citroën bought Mors outright and closed it down, using its factory for the production of hisCitroën automobiles.[3]
The company produced a number of models which were sold widely in Europe and in the USA. In 1905 these ranged from 2.3 litres to the 8.1 litre 40/52 HP and by 1914Minerva-builtKnight sleeve valve engines replaced side-valve units in the larger cars. Post-1918 onlysleeve valve engines were used. Citroën'schevron gears were used for the bevel drive rear axles from 1914 and a unique feature was the Mors patented clutch, which had a contracting band system which replaced thecone clutch used until 1903.
The marque was resurrected briefly when a few smallelectric cars were made duringWorld War II by asubsidiary electrical company of Émile Mors.[4]
Central Automobile Company was the US importer of Mors automobiles inNew York, New York in the very early part of the 20th century.
The 1904 Mors 18 HP was atouring car. Equipped with atonneau, it could seat 4 to 6 passengers and sold for a highUS$8000. The vertically mounted water-cooledstraight-4, situated at the front of the car, produced 18 HP (13.4 kW). A 4-speed transmission was fitted. The pressed steel-framed car was quite modern, with a cellular radiator (with fan) and a throttle control. The Mors 11 HP sold for US$5000.
TheSt. Louis Car Company also manufactured the American Mors.[5] After manufacturing the St. Louis and Kobusch cars, the latter of which looked like a Mors, in 1906 the St. Louis Car Company acquired an officiallicense, blueprints, and plans from theParisian factory to manufacture Mors cars in the U.S.[6] After making the American Mors for three years, the company turned to the manufacture of a car of their own design, theStandard Six.
