Owen Magnetic automobiles were manufactured from 1915 - 1922 in New York City (1915), Cleveland, Ohio (1916-1919), and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (1919 - 1922).
Our collection proudly houses three Owen Magnetic vehicles, including this 1916 O-36 Touring, which is a very a rare piece of automotive history. Rescued from the confines of a barn in Alabama, this car was in need of a solid restoration. The restoration process is currently underway alongside our work on other Owens in the collection.
Justus B. Entz was the mastermind behind the electromagnetic transmission, which ensured optimal control and efficiency. Entz's patent, the cornerstone of its design, featured an electric starting mode where the dynamo, powered by the car's headlight battery initiated the engine. The Owen Magnetic stood out with its electromagnetic transmission, a manual shift system that revolutionized the driving experience by eliminating the need for clutching or gear synchronizing. This automobile blended a 75-hp gas engine with a 24-volt generator and an electric traction motor that nicely balanced power and technology.
Noteworthy is the Owen Magnetic's introduction of regenerative braking, a concept ahead of its time and now commonplace in modern hybrids. A cockpit lever transformed the traction motor into a generator during braking, showcasing the foresight of Owen's engineering.
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