The Paige-Detroit Motor Car Company, later renamed Paige, was founded by entrepreneur Harry M. Jewett, who recognized the immense potential of the rapidly growing automobile industry despite having no prior knowledge of motorcar design or manufacturing. Seeking expertise, Jewett invested heavily in a design promoted by Frederick O. Paige, who, in turn, claimed that engineer Andrew Bachle had created it.
The company adopted Paige’s name, with Paige assuming the roles of president and general manager. In 1909, Paige-Detroit introduced its inaugural product, the Model Number 1 Roadster, featuring an innovative two-stroke, three-cylinder engine that delivered 25 horsepower.
Although Jewett was a newcomer to the automotive world, he quickly grasped the intricacies of the industry. Recognizing the shortcomings of the initial Paige-Detroit offering, he made the necessary adjustments.
By 1910, Paige had either voluntarily or involuntarily severed ties with his namesake company, leading to a comprehensive overhaul of the product line. The two-stroke, three-cylinder engine was replaced with a more conventional four-cylinder, four-stroke variant, still boasting 25 horsepower.
Interestingly, the company seemingly continued to offer both the three-cylinder and four-cylinder options for a period, while also marketing the three-cylinder engine for marine applications. In 1911, the company dropped “Detroit” from its name and adopted the simpler moniker of “Paige.”
Source: RM Sotheby’s
