Photo Feature 1927 Velie Model 50 Roadster

摘要

The name Velie (pronounced vee-lee) might be written off as just another one of the more than 2000 American automobile makes that faded away in the early part of the twentieth century. However, there is more to the Velie story than one would expect. Velie was connected with John Deere farm implements and built cars, trucks, tractors, fire engines-even airplanes. Willard Velie was a grandson of John Deere, and was on the Deere and Company Board of Directors. In 1902, Velie founded the Velie Carriage Company. Many carriagemak-ers turned to making automobiles, and Velie had a four-cylinder car ready for the 1909 model year. Velie established itself as a medium-price car of good quality. The company never had a factory team, but some private owners did well racing them. A Velie placed 17~(th) in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Also in 1911, Velie entered the truck market. Although the products of an independent company, Velies were sold through John Deere dealers until 1915. After breaking distribution ties with Deere, Velie added a tractor line, but left the field by 1920.