Keeton

Designed by Forrest M. Keeton when he was associated with the Croxton-Keeton Motor Car Company, the Keeton was called a "French type" and had a bonnet like the contemporary Renault. Good sales resulted in the purchase of a larger factory in 1913, but under-capitalization caused Keeton to lose control of his company to new investors. A Keeton driven by Bob Burman participated in the 1913 Indianapolis 500 but caught fire and retired on the 55th lap.^[1]

In early 1914 Keeton was absorbed by American Voiturette. The last 100 Keeton's were sold by a receiver when that company failed in September 1914. In 1915, Forrest Keeton bought back the factory for a repair business.^[1]

The 1913 Keeton "Six-48" was a six-cylinder five-passenger tourer with left-hand steering, 12½ in (31.75 cm)-diameter^[2] electric headlights, starter, and horn.^[3] There were four forward speeds, speedometer, and the choice of wire spoked wood wheels.^[3] It had the radiator just in front of the cowl, behind the engine, the "proper and protected position", according to its ads.^[3] The folding top was mohair and the windshield folded.^[3] Like most cars of the era, it came standard with a tool kit, which in this case included an electric trouble light, tire iron, pump, jack, and tire patch. It sold for $2,750, equivalent to $89,583 in 2025.^[1]

Keeton also offered the five-seat Riverside Tourer and Meadowbrook Roadster at $2,750, the Tuxedo Coupé at $3,000, with a chassis price (suitable for custom coachwork, typical of the likes of Rolls-Royce or Pierce-Arrow at the time) of $2,250.^[4]

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  1914 Keeton 6-48 advertisement in the Horseless Age
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  The Keeton raced by Bob Burman in the 1913 Indianapolis 500