The company's history started with a running prototype in July 4th 1894 with the original Haynes-Apperson company. Local rival John Lambert in Indiana had designed and built a three wheeled surrey-topped gasoline powered runabout in 1891 - but then failed to sell a single one. Sensing an opportunity, Elwood Haynes approached John Lambert and secured a written agreement from Lambert to not contest Haynes’ claim to having the FIRST American automobile ever made.
Haynes’ slogan and badge thus proclaimed “America’s First Car”
He had cunningly used the date of his ideas and designs - mid 1893 - to be the start date of his Haynes Apperson car rather than its July 4th 1894 maiden run date - and by doing so conveniently predated the first working Duryea car that actually ran in September 1893.
Duryea and Haynes argued and debated this for years afterwards.
Production in the early years was only about one car month but increased when they moved to the Riverside Machine Works to about 250 cars per year.
The new Haynes company used oval-track racing and road racing as an advertising tool. Their Model V “Vanderbilt” Racer was a lightened version of their Model R Touring car.
The Haynes qualified for the Vanderbilt Cup race in Suffolk County in 1905 but did not start. In 1906 it raced again but finished poorly against superior European cars.
Haynes discontinued oval track racing in 1907 and focused on reliability runs to advertise his cars solid reliability.
This strategy paid off with his annual production peaking at over 6,000 cars in 1921.
In 1909 the Series X speedster models appeared with their 112” wheelbase and 354cu inch twin-spark four cylinder engines. At $2,900 FOB it was a spartan open speedster with no weather protection.
In 1912 they launched the Model 20 Bohemian speedster. A slightly longer 114” wheelbased model and with less horsepower (28) but at a more competitive price $1,650
After this speedster era they concentrated on touring cars.
In 1914, Haynes offered a "Light Six" at $1485. Their ads boasted that it was, "The result of 22 years successful experience in building motor cars." Haynes also proclaimed it "Americas greatest light six", that it "will travel 22 to 25 miles on one gallon of gas" and "has more than 1 horsepower to every 55 pounds of weight."[1]
For 1916, Haynes introduced the "Light Twelve", and refined "Light Six" new series, Models 36 and 37.[2]
In 1923, just before going out of business, Haynes introduced the 57, with a 121-inch (3073 mm) wheelbase, in five-seat four-door sedan, three-seat coupelet, and two-seat roadster,[3] advertised as complete with front and rear bumpers, six disc (as opposed to wire) wheels, wind wings, sun visors, "artistically fashioned individual steps"[4] (for the running boards), and "individual fenders".[4]
