The Arbenz Automobile & The Arbenz Car Co.

ArBenZ
The Scioto Car Co.
Chillicothe, Ohio 1911-1912
The ArBenZ Car Co.
Chillicothe, Ohio 1912-1918

The Scioto Car Co. (1911-1912) then The Arbenz Car Co. (1912-1918) produced an American Automobile called the Arbenz. Fred Arbenz was president and founder of the company. His son Nand Arbenz was designer of the mid priced Arbenz.

The Scioto Car Co. was named after a river that runs through Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1912 the company was renamed after it’s founder, Fred Arbenz. The automobile name was spelled “ArBenZ” in advertising as shown below. Reportly to take advantage of the popular Benz automobile made in Germany. Touring Cars and Roadsters were produced from 1911 to 1918.

1914 ArBenZ Model F Five Passenger Touring Car

Early ArBenZ automobiles were equipped with four cylinder engines that developed 40 horsepower. In the 1914 ArBenZ advertising above and below list their Touring Cars at $1885.00. Starting in 1916 the ArBenz produced a smaller and cheaper automobile with a 17 horsepower Lycoming engine that sold for $625.00.


1914 ArBenZ Model G Four Passenger Torpedo Car

The ArBenZ was equipped with a special rear axle and transmission. The axle was full floating and had extra heavy pitch gears. The transmission was integral with rear axle and had three speeds forward and a reverse. With the axle and transmission connected together only one universal joint between motor and rear wheels. Another unusual feature was the fully enclosed 16 inch brakes.
In September 1918 The ArBenZ Car Co. suspended operation because Nand Arbenz was called into the service due to WWI and the difficulties experienced in obtaining material and labor.

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