Rubber buggy's cake bumper

Kemp Auto Museum

 

Fred M. Kemp researched and collected 40 rare and classic automobiles. After his passing, his collection was donated to the museum for public  enjoyment and educational enrichment.

 

Today, the Kemp Auto Museum displays the finest collections of automobiles, including Mr. Kemp's first Mercedes Benz.

 

The auto industry grew from the horse drawn carriage. There were a few St. Louis companies that started as a buggy business that turned into an  Automobile production company.

 

The St. Louis Motor Carriage Co. was the first auto factory to have a patent on its one-cylinder that had the motor, clutch, and transmission built as one unit. When the company moved in 1905, George P. Dorris stayed in St. Louis and the patent was transferred to his new company, Dorris Motor Car Company.

 

The Moon Motor Car Company, founded by Joseph W. Moon. There were several models including one that had a radiator that looked like one on a

Rolls Royce. It's best European type product The Prince of Windsor, was named for the Prince of Wales. The amusement park Six Flags St. Louis

also features a ride, Moon Cars, using the Moon automobile body.

 

Russell E. Gardner Sr. started making banner buggies and then worked manufacturing bodies for Chevrolet. By 1919 he became a multimillionaire by selling his franchise and started the Gardner Motor Car Company.  He built luxury cars with hydraulic brakes and front wheel drive.

Cake artist - Theresa Hopkins

 

Twenty-one down 229 to go.