Dorris, or Dorris Motors Company was founded by George Preston Dorris. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Dorris had built an experimental gasoline car circa 1896-1897 in his family's bicycle shop. He relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he joined with John L. French to found the St. Louis Motor Carriage Company. Dorris served as chief engineer. When French relocated to Peoria, Illinois, Dorris quit the firm and founded the Dorris Motor Car Company. With his departure, French and the St. Louis Motor Carriage Company quickly foundered. For other cities named Nashville, see Nashville (disambiguation). ... State nickname: Volunteer State Other U.S. States Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis (largest metropolitan area is Nashville) Governor Phil Bredesen Official languages English Area 109,247 km² (36th)  - Land 106,846 km²  - Water 2,400 km² (2. ... 1896 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Gateway Arch, shown here behind the Old Courthouse, is the most recognizable part of the St. ... Missouri, named after the Missouri Siouan Indian tribe meaning canoe, is a Midwestern state of the United States with Jefferson City as its capital. ... Peoria is the name of the Peoria tribe of Native Americans and the name of a number of places in the United States of America: Peoria, Arizona Peoria, Illinois Peoria County, Illinois Peoria, Oregon This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich Official languages English Area 149,998 km² (25th)  - Land 143,968 km²  - Water 6,030 km² (4. ...

Dorris is credited with developing and patenting the float-carburetor, an innovation that was used for decades after its invention. For much of the Dorris production life the slogan was "Built up to a standard, not down to a price".

His first production vehicle had a four-cylinder engine with 101-inch wheel-base, which took the New York Automobile Show by storm. Over time, Dorris' cars became more powerful, graduating from a four to six-cylinder engine, and increasing nearly 30 inches in the wheelbase. The price tag of these cars was nearly $7,000.

Prior to World War I truck production began. In 1917, the capital stock was expanded $700,000 worth to $1,000,00 to all for expansion of the company. Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1920, Dorris acquired the Astra Company, a competing St. Louis auto manufacturer, and re-organized as Dorris Motors Corporation. In 1923 rumors abounded that the Dorris, Haynes and Winton companies would merge, but this merger did not come to fruition. 1923 signalled the last full year of production for Dorris Motors. Production fell to a standstill, although the 'practically hand-built' Dorris cars were built to special order until 1926 when the company went bankrupt. 1920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... The Gateway Arch, shown here behind the Old Courthouse, is the most recognizable part of the St. ... 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1926 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

References

Dorris - St. Louis Missouri (1906-1926) (http://members.core.com/~mcbeed/autos/directory/history/dorris.htm)