Prior to the advent of sophisticated mass production techniques, many smaller communities had their own automobile manufactures. Fostoria had three - the Seneca Motor Car Co., the Allen Motor Car Co. and the Fostoria light automobile Co.

Information courtesy of Leonard Skonecki

   The brothers E.W. and W.O. Allen began business with a neat automobile featuring a 221-cubic-inch four-cylinder L-head engine designed by L.A. Sommer (formerly of Hanner-Sommer), a full-floating rear axle of which they were especially proud, and a top they boasted as being "of genuine 'Neverleek' (sic)." Having done all this, they decided to rest on their laurels.
   As home for their venture, the Allens had secured the Peabody Buggy Company works in Fostoria and the three buildings of the old Columbia Buggy Company at 400 Dublin Avenue in Columbus.

   Initially Sommer produced the Allen engines in his plant at Bucyrus, but by 1916 the Allen brothers had bought him out so they could manufacture their engines themselves.
   Their company was vigorously involved in producing for the war effort, but would not be paid for their efforts by the government until 1922. Still, the postwar era appeared promising, but appearances decieved. Although engineering improvements remained virtually nil, styling was given a vigorous nod in 1921. Since "everyone agrees that the color of automobiles has been altogether too sombre," the company said, Allen Artcraft bodies were now available in colors named for precious stones: to wit, Sapphire, Garnet, Turquoise, Amethyst. Unfortunately, the color of the ink in the company financial ledgers was red as a ruby. Already the firm was in receivership, with claims against it totaling about $2,000,000 (assets were somewhat less).

   In 1920, complaining that the town had not been loyal to them, the Allens had sold the Fostoria plant to Willys Corporation, which used it to produce farm lighting powerplants during this era before rural electrification. (Subsequently, Autolite, then a Willys subsidiary, took over the plant.) Meanwhile, the brothers Allen stuggled to continue production and to secure more capital. Their efforts were unavailing. The remainder of the Allen property in Columbus and Bucyrus went to the auction block in 1922. L.A. Sommer tried to buy back his old plant but is believed to not have succeeded. When the government money arrived in 1922, the Allens kept it.

   For 1920, the Allen Motor Company of Columbus, Ohio, offered the 4-cylinder Allen Series 43 touring car at $1495, and a 2-passenger roadster at the same price. A 4-door sedan was also available for the buyer who wished to pay $2145 for such luxury.
   Though the Allen was a fairly compact car, it boasted 56-inch rear springs that "iron out rough roads." Neverless, as one of their 1920 advertisements read, the Allen's "car length is kept within limits that contribute noticeably to tireless driving and to ease of handling in traffic."

Allen dealers were advised to "argue little verbally -- let the car do its own talking."