The Michigan Buggy Company – or “Mighty Michigan” as their four-cylinder roadster and touring cars would come to be known – was a perfect example of brass era bravura that would ultimately burn out far too quickly. The cars were first built in 1904 and were available for $450. The Kalamazoo company would go through a lot of trial and error for seven years with original cars only powered by single-cylinder powered engines with two speeds and no reverse. After enduring several hiccups, the Michigan was mass produced in 1911 and they became known as the Michigan Motor Company.
Here is a 1913 Mighty Michigan Touring that appeared in the March 1977 issue of Hemmings Motor News. From the seller’s description:
40 hp, 4-1/4” x 5-1/4”, 118” wheelbase, 4-speed transmission. Very good original condition, new top, five new 35 x 5 white walls, plating done, wheels and lights restored, fast 55 mph. Drive it home. $11,500.
The company’s advertising materials claim that more than 6,000 were sold, but these numbers must be taken with a grain of salt, or maybe a block of salt. A scandalous front office that included mail fraud in an attempt to boost stock sales as well as an executive playing the ponies with company funds helped lead to an early demise for the Mighty Michigan. After a few unsuccessful attempts to keep the company afloat, company officials sold the building in 1915 and the company ceased to exist.
Though rare, there are still examples floating around today, including a 1913 Model R Touring that sold at RM’s Motor City Auction this past July. The final bid was $132,000 for what was described as a fine example from a private and distinguished collection. Likely this final sale was an exception to those Michigans that are still out there, but if the asking price of $11,500 in 1977 still holds true today, that would amount to about a little over $45,000 today.
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