The Christie Automobile & The Christie Direct Action Motor Car Co.

Christie
Christie Direct Action Motor Car Co.
New York, NY
1904-1910

The Christie Direct Action Motor Car Co. was an American Automobile company formed in the early 1900s to build a front wheel drive automobile. In 1904, John Walter Christie brought his principle before the public eye with 30 horsepower 4 cylinder front wheel drive racing car.

Christie Direct Action Motor Car Co. advertising described a 50 horsepower four passenger touring car. Christie claimed his new American Automobile was far superior, lighter, efficent and more powerful than any other on the market.

1905 Christie Touring Car

Only a few touring cars were built in 1905. The 1905 Christie automobile was called the little 50 and was built along the same lines as the famous 1904 Christie racer shown below. Other Christie passenger automobiles included a touring cars, speedster or roadsters and Taxi cabs. All were built in very small quanties.


1905 Christie Speedster

In 1912 Christie formed The Front Drive Motor Co. located in Hoboken, New Jersey. After 1912 Christie was best known for developing the Christie front wheel drive and suspension system used on fire trucks and early tanks and World War 11 battle tanks.


1905 Christie Racer

Just as many American Automobile manufacturers attracted attention to their cars by racing them, so did John Walter Christie. The first race in which a Christie car appeared was at the Ormond-Dayton’s Speed Carnival of 1904. Christie ran fifth with a 40 horsepower automobile.


1906 V-4 Christie Racer

Other Christie racer automobiles included a 120 horsepower “double-ended” racer that had an engine in front and rear, his first V-4 racer, 135 horsepower Grand prix V-4 Racer and a streamlined 1910 race car.

1932 Cars For Sale