Middleby Auto Company

The Middleby Auto Company (1908-1913) was a defunct American automobile manufacturer, based in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Middleby roadster, 1909

The company was founded by Joseph Middleby, who purchased the Duryea Power Company from Charles Duryea. Its first Model A automobile (1908) was a runabout with a 108-inch wheel base and 30 x 3 1/2 inch tires, and a four-cylinder, air-cooled engine with a sliding-gear, shaft-drive transmission with three speeds forward and one reverse. Standard equipment included two gas lamps, two side oil lamps, one rear lamp, tools, and a French horn. Its price was $850. Model B was a touring car, based on the same chassis, and priced at $1,000. By 1910 the company had sold about 400 automobiles. After 1911, the wheel base increased to 120 inches, with 36-inch wheels and a 4-cylinder water-cooled engine. All told, Middleby automobiles were produced in six models: a Runabout for $850, single rumble for $1,000, surrey for $1,000, double rumble for $1,100, touring car for $1,200, and Toy Tonneau for $1,200.

Middleby died in 1911, and the company was wound down two years after his death.