Standard (1904 automobile)
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Standard Motor Construction Company (1904–1905) was the successor to the U. S. Long Distance Automobile Company (1900–1903) of Jersey City, New Jersey. The American Veteran Era Long Distance automobile was developed into the Standard automobile in 1904.[1][2]
 Logo from advertisement | |
 U S Long Distance Touring Car from New York Motor Show in The Automobile magazine | |
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1900 |
| Defunct | 1904 |
| Fate | Reorganized |
| Successor | Standard Motor Construction Company |
| Headquarters | Jersey City, New Jersey, |
Key people | Lt. John C. Fremont, D. J. Newland, Lewis Nixon, C. C. Riotte |
| Products | Automobiles |
Production output | unknown (1901-1903) |
Lt. John C. Fremont, D. J. Newland and Lewis Nixon founded the U. S. Long Distance Automobile Company in 1900 to manufacture gasoline marine engines and automobiles. A plant in Jersey City, New Jersey first produced gasoline marine engines followed by gasoline automobiles in 1901. C. C. Riotte who had previously designed marine engines, designed the Long Distance and superintended manufacturing.[1][2]
From 1901 to 1903, five models were offered. All engines were water-cooled, with a planetary transmission with two or three gears and chain drive. Steering wheels replaced tiller steering in late 1902.[1][3]
- The Type A had a single-cylinder engine with 7-hp . The chassis had a wheelbase of 74-inches with a runabout body priced at $1,000, equivalent to $37,212 in 2025.
- The Type B had a two-cylinder engine with 10-hp. The wheelbase was 80-inches with a tonneau body priced at $1,500.
- The Type C had a slightly more powerful two-cylinder engine with 12-hp, the same wheelbase and a tonneau body priced at $2,500, equivalent to $93,029 in 2025.
- The Type D was the top model with a three-cylinder engine produced 20-hp. Wheelbase and body were the same as Type B and was priced at $4,000.
- The Type E was a Type B as a delivery van priced at $2,000.[1][4]
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1902 Long Distance Type A runabout in The Automobile
1903 Long Distance Type C Tonneau - Lippincotts Magazine
Production plans were for ten to twelve vehicles a week. The company acquired a Selden patent license.[4] In January 1904, U. S. Long Distance was reorganized as the Standard Motor Construction Company, with the factory at the same 307 Whiton Street address in Jersey City.[1][5]
