1918 Roamer Four-Passenger Sport Touring
Built to imitate the prestigious Rolls-Royce, this American luxury automobile emerged from Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1916. The car took its name from a celebrated racehorse that won American Horse of the Year honors in 1914. Its makers deliberately copied Rolls-Royce’s distinctive Parthenon-style radiator and even styled the nameplate as “RoameR” to emphasize the resemblance.
Despite its aspirational styling, the Roamer’s $4,000 price made it accessible to buyers who couldn’t afford a genuine Rolls-Royce (which cost around $11,750 for just the chassis). The Barley Motor Car Company produced these vehicles in small numbers through 1929, allowing extensive customization for wealthy buyers. Notable owners included film stars Mary Pickford and Buster Keaton.
The Four-Passenger Sport Touring featured a 54-horsepower Continental six-cylinder engine and represented one of America’s attempts to compete with European luxury marques during the early automotive era.
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