Rickenbaker Motors (Detroit, Michigan)

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Springfield Body Co. 1916-1917 - Detroit Shell Co. 1917-1918

In 1914, the Springfield Body Company of Springfield Mass., acquired 29 acres of land off Michigan Avenue and in 1916 constructed a factory to manufacture automobile bodies. Unfortunately, the enterprise did not survive the Depression of 1917 and the plant was closed. With the advent of WWI, several industrial leaders including, John Kelsey, Harry Jewett, Rosco Jackson and Edsel Ford joined together to form the Detroit Shell Co. to produce shells for the military and took over the 200,000 sq. ft. plant. When peace came the factory was idled.

Rickenbaker Motors 1921-1927

Rickenbaker Motors was established in 1921, by auto pioneers Barney Everitt and Walter Flanders and the famous WWI air ace and race car driver, Eddie Rickenbaker, to manufacture a medium priced automobile. In that year production began at the former Everitt Brothers Harper Avenue factory at Russell Street. With plans to greatly expand production, in 1922, the company acquired the Cabot Street property, then owned by Disteel (a division of Detroit Pressed Steel which manufactured steel wheels) and the Harper Avenue facility was sold to Briggs.

To supply the new facility with bodies, in 1923, the company purchased the Trippensee Body Co., which included 1,071,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in four buildings and whose main plant was located at Stanley and 12th Streets. The Cabot Street plant was also expanded at the time, including the erection of a new two story administration building.

By 1926, with production of only 8,049 automobiles, it became apparent that sales were not meeting the founders exaggerated expectations. After disagreeing with his partners, Rickenbaker resigned. Shortly thereafter the company entered into receivership and finally closed in 1927, after producing only 517 vehicles in that year.

Verville Aircraft 1928-1931

The following year, Walter Briggs Sr. organized the Verville Aircraft Company to manufacture an airplane designed by Alfred V. Verville. With Barney Everitt as President, the company acquired the former Rickenbaker plant and commenced manufacturing the four seat Verville Air Coach for business customers. Following the onset of the Depression, the company abandoned the business market and produced a new model for rich sportsmen called the Sport Trainer. By 1931, the company was out of business.

Shatterproof Glass -1985

Shatterproof Glass Corporation was founded in 1922 by William B. Chase as IXL Company before changing its name in 1932. At one time it was the world's largest independent manufacturer of automobile replacement glass. Sometime after the demise of Verville Aircraft Co., Shatterproof acquired the former Rickenbaker plant, greatly expanding it in the 1950s. Chase maintained personal control of the company until his death in 1982. Shortly thereafter, the firm experienced financial difficulties and the Detroit plant was closed. Re-established in Claremont North Carolina in 1985, it survived until 1987 before going out of business.





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