THE STORY OF THE RAMBLER
Thomas B. Jeffery and his son, Charles, began building experimental automobiles in 1897 and eventually designed a sophisticated “horseless carriage” worthy of quantity production. After selling their bicycle factory to finance a suitable facility in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the father and son tandem turned out 1,500 Model C and D Ramblers in 1902, the world’s second mass produced car. The following year, they produced a total of 1,350 Model E and F versions; the F might have been considered a luxury model, sporting a folding top and storm curtain.
It was a Model E, though, which Perry E. Taylor brought home to the village of Schoharie from New York City. It was to be the first automobile owned in the village.
Mr. Taylor’s journey from New York City had much to show about the state of gas-powered transportation at the turn of the 20th Century. It took the single cylinder, 15 horsepower Rambler a respectable twelve hours to reach Albany. The drive to Schoharie, however, took two weeks! Break-downs, muddy roads, and stopping to shut off the noisy engine around horses so as not to frighten them slowed Mr. Taylor’s progress to a crawl.
When he finally began driving about the village, young boys he passed along the way would cry out “Buy a horse!” The progressive Mr. Taylor proved to be more popular with the voting public. He was elected Village Mayor and served in that office for 30 years. During his administration, the village modernized the fire department and water system, installed street lighting, and organized the first “street movies” in 1916.
Imagine how many heads turned when they began seeing Perry’s wife, Eleanor, behind the tilling bar of the Rambler. To see a man driving was one thing, but a woman driver was just unthinkable! Eleanor was a free spirit, exercising her individuality as a poet, artist, musical composer, writer, and photographer. She was also a respected Life Member of the Schoharie County Historical Society, served as County Historian, and was a Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is remembered in local lore for her prize-winning dogs and pet spider monkey named Lindy Lou. Upon her husband becoming village postmaster, she was appointed Mayor to finish out his term and became the first female municipal chief executive in New York State.
The Taylors donated the Rambler to the Old Stone Fort in 1936.
Vehicle Details for the 1903 Rambler Model E
Top Speed: 29-30 miles per hour
MPG: City/Unknown, Country/25
Range: Approximately 150 miles
Price New: $750