Continental Motors started in 1905 by supplying engines to various Detroit automobile manufacturers (1910-1929). Studebaker was one of the companies first major customers. Hudson Motors 1911 order for 10, 000 engines required a larger plant to be built in Detroit. WW I production resulted in a vigorous expansion at the Detroit and Muskegon plants. The automakers famous red seal of quality became known to car manufacturers as a quality brand. Cars using Continental engines were not branded on the the exterior and thus curtailed consumer brand recognition. This hurt the company when they introduced their own cars in the early 1930’s. The Ace, Flyer and Beacon cars were introduced during the depression and did not sell well. By 1934 Continental stopped making cars. The Continental Aircraft Engine Company, formed in 1929, eventually became the companies main source of revenue after the 1930’s. WW II production of Rolls Royce Merlin engines in 1943 helped Continental recover from financial trouble. In 1969 Teledyne Incorporated acquired Continental Motors and was the company was re-branded as Teledyne Continental Motors.  They are still making aircraft engines

Research conducted at the Skillman reference library yielded information from the companies internal documents, statements and promotional materials. The Continental plant was expanded from one room after 1902-1911. Remaining portions of the plant seen today are the remains of the Dyno Cell Plant and Foundry. Company pamphlets [*1] from 1928 listed models of engine blocks manufactured between 1902-1928 as; 8-U as, 9-F, 15-L, 14-S, 12-M, 16-E, 16-T, 15-H, s-4 and the b-7 (heavy truck, Muskegon division). An article from Special Interest Autos provide more information, “[*2] In its heyday Continental Motors ranked as the major independent supplier of engines to the U.S auto industry. Continental out produced it’s nearest rival Lycoming Motors, by better than two to one during the ‘teens and early 1920’s” The following automotive companies used Continental engines; Stutz, Peerless, Hudson, Dodge, Auburn, Elcar, du Pont, Overland, Locomobile, Roamer, WIlly, Reo, Scrippps-Booth, RuxtonDurant, Kaiser-Frazer, Star and Graham. The plant closed in 1965.

The Continental Dyno Cell Plant was a shell of its former self. Sheet metal barely covered the exterior and hung in tatters like an old curtain. Vegetation cracked the concrete during nature’s reclamation process as pools of water accumulated near the sheds. A massive water tower, 4 stories high, loomed over the west section of the plant. Its crooked and rusted metal beams seemed to hint at the structures imminent demise.

References

[*1] NAHC (The National Automotive History Collection)
Skillman Branch Library (Detroit, MI 48226)
(Compiled from 1928-940 Continental company brochures, literature, internal memos, documents, stock reports and annual shareholders brochures)

[*2]“Special Interest Autos, Jan-Feb, 1977. Page 29, Continental Motors article”

Continental Detroit Engine Division NOVEMBER 1946-c. AUGUST 1955 article from the  Kaiser-Frazer Owners Club

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Motors_Company
1. ^ Leyes, p. 87
Foss, Christopher F.. Jane’s Pocket Book of Modern Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Collier Books. p. 45-49. 73-15286. * Leyes II,

Richard A.; William A. Fleming (1999). The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teledyne_Continental_Motors

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