As shown in the article above from “The Horseless Age”, after having made good use of its first automobile patrol wagon, the Minneapolis Police Department ordered another one.
Additionally, in January of 1911, bids were solicited and were under review for an additional automobile for the department. Among the three models under consideration were:
- A Rambler Model 65 which was a large machine with a 45 horse power, 431 cubic inch four-cylinder engine on a 125-inch wheelbase chassis. The cost of the bid was $3800 (or $103,640 in 2020 dollars).
- A Model Y Stevens-Duryea which was a large machine with a 40 horsepower, six-cylinder engine. The cost of the bid was $4000 (or $109,195 in 2020 dollars).
- A Mitchell Model S which was a large machine with a six-cylinder, 50 horsepower engine and a three-speed gear box. The cost of the bid was $3,700 (or $100,913 in 2020 dollars).
To give some perspective, the average cost of these vehicles was approximately six times the price of a new 1911 Model T Ford.
Source: Proceedings of the City Council of Minneapolis from January 27, 1911
Excerpt from The Horseless Age, July 1909
Photograph by Unknown, Public Domain