Western Tool Works (automobile company)

Western Tool Works was a pioneering brass era automobile manufacturer in Galesburg, Illinois. The company made Gale automobiles from 1904 to 1910.[1] Early Gale runabouts were notable for having bodywork hinged at the rear of the car that could be lifted to ease access to the engine,[1][2][3] essentially making the entire body the hood.

Gale
1906 Gale Model C
Overview
Manufacturer	Western Tool Works
Production	1905-7
Body and chassis
Class	Entry-level car
Body style	roadster

In 1905 Western produced the Gale Model A runabout for sale at US$500. This was less expensive than the high-volume Oldsmobile Runabout at US$650,[4] the 2-seat Ford Model C "Doctor's Car" at US$850,[5] or the Holsman high wheeler,[6] but more expensive than the Black at $375,[7] and the Success at US$250.[4]

The Model A came standard with a 5 in × 6 in (130 mm × 150 mm) water-cooled engine mounted beneath the tilting body,[8] chain drive, 34 in (860 mm) elliptic springs, 28 in × 3 in (71.1 cm × 7.6 cm) spoke wheels with tube tires, and repair kit.[9]

The same year, Western offered the US$650 Gale Model B. Its water-cooled engine, springs, wheels, and tires had the same dimensions as those of the Model A, and it also had chain drive and a repair kit.[9] It offered available leather buggy top, clincher tires, horn, and brass headlights.[9]

In 1907, Western offered the 26 hp (19 kW) Gale Model K-7 phaeton at US$1,250.[10] The K-7 was a five-seat touring car with a two-cylinder 5.5 in × 5.5 in (140 mm × 140 mm) engine, a wheelbase of 95 inches (2,400 mm), and 32 in × 3.5 in (81.3 cm × 8.9 cm) wheels.[11]

Notes

1. Georgano 1971, p. 86.
2. Clymer 1950, pp. 56, 178.
3. Sedgwick 1972, p. 26.
4. Clymer 1950, p. 32.
5. Clymer 1950, p. 37.
6. Clymer 1950, p. 83.
7. Clymer 1950, p. 61.
8. Clymer 1950, p. 178.
9. Clymer 1950, p. 51.
10. Clymer 1950, p. 56.
11. Dluhy 2013, p. 139.

References

• Clymer, Floyd (1950). Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925. New York, NY US: Bonanza Books.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Dluhy, Robert D. (2013). "Part III. Automobile Models by Year". American Automobiles of the Brass Era: Essential Specifications of 4,000+ Gasoline Powered Passenger Cars, 1906-1915, with a Statistical and Historical Overview. Jefferson, NC US: McFarland. ISBN 9780786471362. LCCN 2013033488.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Georgano, G. N., ed. (1971). "Gale 1904–1910". Encyclopedia of American Automobiles. New York, NY USA: E. P. Dutton. pp. 86–87. ISBN 0-525-097929. LCCN 79147885.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Sedgwick, Michael (1972) [1962]. "Chapter One The Pioneer Days 1769 – 1904". Early Cars. London, UK: Octopus Books. ISBN 0706400585.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

See also

• List of defunct United States automobile manufacturers