Christman Motor Company

Vehicle manufacturer of California USA From 1901 to 1907.

Christman was an early American car brand. in Los Gatos, California from the 1900s

History 

This brand goes back to Charles E. Christman. He was a blacksmith in Los Gatos , California . By January 1901 he produced his first vehicle.

He was looking for investors in San José . On March 20, 1901, he founded the Christman Motor Carriage Company in San José and the factory in Los Gatos. W. Peyton Smith became President, James F. Stephenson Vice President and Christman Superintendent. The plan was to produce a vehicle every day with 50 employees. On June 6, 1901, a newspaper reported that the factory had to be relocated to San José and that the third vehicle was currently under construction. 

1902 took over the Golden State Automobile Company. The production of the Christman vehicles ended in 1902, although Charles Christman held his post in 1904 and 1905. 

In April 1907 Christman founded the Christman Motor Car Company in Los Angeles . Participants were Elton S. Bogle, Arthur Kunze, Stephen S. Wilder and Harmon D. Ryus. They made in Los Gatos more vehicles. The production took place in the White Garage , where Ryus worked. The company exhibited vehicles at some local auto shows. 

The vehicle of 1907 had large wheels, a wide gauge and a low gear ratio. So it was well suited for the early bad roads at that time. Still 1907 the production ended.