Rayfield

• Name — Rayfield Motor Car Company • Former Name — Springfield Motor Car Company • Industry — Automotive • Founder — William Rayfield, John Rayfield • Fate — Bankruptcy • Hq Location — Springfield, Illinois, Chrisman, Illinois • Hq Location Country — United States • Key People — William Rayfield, John Rayfield, Hughie Hughes • Products — Automobiles • Production Year — 1911-1915

The Rayfield name was well-known on carburetors invented by Charles Rayfield. His sons William (Bill) and John, began their automotive venture with the purchase of the Springfield Motor Car Company in 1910. Organized as the Rayfield Motor Car Company, Dashboard-radiatored 18-hp four-cylinder and 22-hp six-cylinder touring cars and roadsters were built in Springfield. In 1912 the Rayfield brothers moved their company to a new factory in Chrisman, Illinois. Manufacturing was concentrated on the six-cylinder models. 218 cars were built in 1913. A special-built Rayfield entered in the Indianapolis 500 of 1914 was to be driven by Hughie Hughes who also helped build it. It reached 95 mph during time trials, but mechanical problems eliminated it from participating in the race. In 1914 the Rayfields added a cyclecar to their line, but it was really a light car as it had a standard 56-inch tread, a four-cylinder water-cooled engine, selective sliding gear transmission, rack-and-pinion steering and a steel body. The small car was priced at $375 and in 1915, 613 were made. In 1915, the Rayfields contracted with the Great Western company of Peru, Indiana to build their light car. Great Western was in receivership and ultimately could not fulfill its contract. Bill Rayfield sued, but could not collect. The company had no cash to operate, and the Rayfield assets were sold at public auction in February 1916 for $14,000.