Moon

The Moon Motor Car Company was an American automaker based in St. Louis, Missouri, that produced both cars and trucks from 1905 to 1930. The company was founded by Joseph W. Moon, a former carriage maker, and was known for producing fully assembled mid-level cars using high-quality parts. Despite its reputation for quality, Moon cars required extensive human intervention during the manufacturing process, leading to operating losses and eventual closure in 1930. Today, Moon cars remain popular among collectors and automobile enthusiasts.

The Moon Motor Car Company was founded in 1905 by Joseph W. Moon, a carriage maker who had transitioned into automobile manufacturing. The company made its debut in 1906 with the Model A, a four-cylinder car that was displayed at the New York Automobile Show. In 1908, Moon began selling cars in the eastern US under the name Hol-Tan. By 1910, Moon had shifted its focus to producing mid-priced cars that were competitive with brands like Buick and Oldsmobile. Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Moon continued to innovate and expand its product line. The company introduced a six-cylinder engine in 1916 and a Parthenon-style radiator in 1919. Moon cars were also available with custom coachwork from designers like Pullman, Rubay, and Murray. The company's exports increased in the 1920s, with Moon cars being delivered to 47 different countries. Despite its early success, Moon began to struggle in the 1920s due to production capacity issues and financial troubles. The company's peak production year was 1925, when it produced over 10,000 vehicles. Moon also produced the Diana and Windsor models via its subsidiaries during this time. However, the effects of the Great Depression proved too much for the struggling automaker, and it ceased production in 1930 after failed attempts to build the Ruxton automobile. Resolving the company's finances would take more than two decades.