Signet (automobile)

Oscar J, Howick, formerly of Lozier and Packard, developed the Signet cyclecar with a Spacke DeLuxe twin-cylinder air-cooled engine, belt drive and friction transmission. The body styling with a deep vee front, full doors and fenders, and leather upholstery was more elegant than the average cyclecar. The wheelbase was 96 inches and the tread 36-inches. Two passengers sat side-by-side in the cyclecar with a package shelf behind them.^[2][3] Introduced as the Fenton in November 1913, the price was $375, equivalent to $12,216 in 2025.^[1][4]

George Jenks, a former automobile salesman, was the mover behind the Fenton and organized the Fenton Cyclecar Company to succeed Fenton Engineering Company to market the car. On March 23, 1914, tragedy struck with the sudden death of George Jenks. The Fenton Cyclecar Company was reorganized within two months as the Koppin Motor Company by H.S. Koppin, who owned the former A. J. Phillips plant in Fenton.^[1][5] The Fenton became the Koppin until September 1914, when the plant was destroyed by fire.^[6]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fenton vehicles.

• G.N. Georgano (1968). The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885 to Present. New York, Dutton.