This is a reproduction of the original logo used on the AUTO-BUG during 1909-1910 During the restoration of Richard Gessner's Auto-Bug in Massilon, Ohio, he had these decals reprinted for use during his restoration. They are exact replicas of which he found affixed to the front of his Auto-Bug prior to restoration.
This is a copy of an original 1909 AUTO-BUG advertisement as it appeared in Horseless Age Magazine.
One of the tactics that Arthur Skadden used to sell his vehicles can be seen in the bottom two lines of advertising directly above the company name and city. Skadden wanted to get dealers interested to market his machines, rather than pushing them onto the public directly. Of course anyone could by an Auto-Bug, and eventually a Norwalk, however in reading the advertisement it might lead one to believe that he was only interested in those individuals who wanted to buy them and resell the vehicles.
AUTO-BUG illustration as it appeared in detail in the Norwalk, Ohio Centennial
publication in 1909.
Original advertisements for the Auto-Bug.
the first "modern" automobile the company produced, appearing in early 1911. This is
a copy of an original image that was distributed by the company for advertising purposes
It is the electric shift transmission of which only 25 1914 Norwalks were equipped. The system was built by Vulcan Electric Shift Mfg. located in the city of Philadelphia. Note on the side of the transmission are four electro-magnetic solenoids. The push button shifter box was located on the steering column and you had a choice of selecting 4 forward speeds, reverse and neutral. There was also a park button which activated a parking brake in the transmission and a "signal" button which was the "ahooga" horn. To shift the transmission you would select a button on the side of the selector box and depress it. Then when you stepped on the clutch and let the clutch out the box would sen an electric charge to the solenoids and the appropriate rod would be activated in the transmission to shift gears. You could select any gear at any time, but would have to use caution not to select reverse unless the car was at a complete stop. There were very few cars ever outfitted with this ultra modern device in 1914, maybe only one or two other makes. Most people remember the push button shifts on Chrysler products in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Sometime in late 1914 or early 1915 Arthur Skadden had this closed motor car custom built at the Norwalk Motor Car Company factory in Martinsburg. This is probably the only closed car assembled by the company, and was Skadden's personal family vehicle. The body was manufactured by another source other than Norwalk, a source that is not known at this time. It is somewhat evident that the car was built as an after thought as the engine cowl between the hood and the windshield has been modified to fit the front of the Norwalk chassis and front end. This picture was reportedly taken somewhere in Pennsylvania during a family outing.
During 1911, a transition was taking place at the factory in Norwalk, Ohio. A division
was seen within the company stockholders who were grappling with the idea of eliminating
the Auto-Bug from production and replacing it with a genuine motor car of the day.
Note in this 1911 advertisement that the term "NORWALK" was seen for the first time,
however the company was still listed as The Auto-Bug Co. Arthur Skadden saw the future in trucking both locally in Ohio as well as on the American horizon.
Arthur Skadden created the AUTO-BUG and started production of this vehicle in 1909 in Norwalk Ohio.
This company was the immediate predessesor of the Norwalk Motor Car Company of the same city.
Auto-Bugs were built only two years, 1909 and 1910. This photo shows Skadden's daughters Gladys and Ruth as small children in the 1909 Fourth of July parade in Norwalk, Ohio.
.
1911 - Harry Bennett, chief designer for the Norwalk Motor Car Company test drives
the first Norwalk chassis along the Huron River at Blue Bridge. All Norwalk chassis' were
mechanically test driven prior to installation of the body and final assembly.
Early road test of Norwalk chassis being put through the paces, probably taken in 1912
after the company left Ohio. This terrain is not common to Norwalk, Ohio, but probably
in the hills of Pennsylvania or more likely West Virginia ( Date & Source Unknown )