FWD "Four Wheel Drive" History

  • Home
  • FWD "Four Wheel Drive" History

FWD "Four Wheel Drive" History Clintonville, WI was the birth place of the first Four Wheel Drive vehicle!
(5)

Happy Thanksgiving.
23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you to all current and former Veterans that have served our Country on this Veterans Day!
11/11/2023

Thank you to all current and former Veterans that have served our Country on this Veterans Day!

World War II
05/11/2023

World War II

I always enjoy finding items in original condition from the time period. However this Model B postcard made me chuckle s...
04/11/2023

I always enjoy finding items in original condition from the time period. However this Model B postcard made me chuckle since the solider wrote on the front Vietnam. This truck must be the longest serving Model B. World War 1 to Vietnam is a long time. 😂

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!Andy Cisewski, Eric Robert Beilke, Ron Brazell
10/10/2023

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Andy Cisewski, Eric Robert Beilke, Ron Brazell

What a sight to see! Model B's ready to be shipped!
06/10/2023

What a sight to see! Model B's ready to be shipped!

Nice watch fob from the days gone bye
23/09/2023

Nice watch fob from the days gone bye

Postmarked 1930. A great way to learn about the past is through the writings left by others. I wonder what the sales mee...
17/09/2023

Postmarked 1930. A great way to learn about the past is through the writings left by others. I wonder what the sales meetings were like back then. It must have been a sight to see watching the older trucks plow through the snow!

11/09/2023
The Mighty Model B! There were thousands of them, now I know of less than 50. Feel free to post your model B photos!
09/09/2023

The Mighty Model B! There were thousands of them, now I know of less than 50. Feel free to post your model B photos!

1911 AD
27/08/2023

1911 AD

Has anyone seen one in person?
16/07/2023

Has anyone seen one in person?

Land of the Free Home of the Brave Independence Day!
04/07/2023

Land of the Free Home of the Brave Independence Day!

I have always been fascinated with the older stock certificates of FWD. These two are just a few examples of what it is ...
28/06/2023

I have always been fascinated with the older stock certificates of FWD. These two are just a few examples of what it is in the collection. Dr. Finney was the first investor in William Besserdich and Otto Zachow.

Awesome vintage advertisement
04/06/2023

Awesome vintage advertisement

How cool is this old photo!
03/06/2023

How cool is this old photo!

These old fire engine ads are really cool! I always wonder how many of these engines are still around?
20/05/2023

These old fire engine ads are really cool! I always wonder how many of these engines are still around?

July 14th 1905 ad from the paper! This is where it all started! Thank you Otto and William for making the dream of the F...
23/04/2023

July 14th 1905 ad from the paper! This is where it all started! Thank you Otto and William for making the dream of the Four Wheel Drive reality!

Can you say Beast!
22/04/2023

Can you say Beast!

1965 FWD that served the city of St. Louis
17/04/2023

1965 FWD that served the city of St. Louis

How cool is this! Prints Block used for ads.
13/04/2023

How cool is this! Prints Block used for ads.

13/04/2023
What is your favorite FWD truck
12/03/2023

What is your favorite FWD truck

The mighty Model B!
18/02/2023

The mighty Model B!

Check out this awesome spec sheet! Oh to only find an actual truck
11/02/2023

Check out this awesome spec sheet! Oh to only find an actual truck

Loading Model B's on rail cars during World War 1 on what appears to be a brisk winter day. This photo would have been t...
13/01/2023

Loading Model B's on rail cars during World War 1 on what appears to be a brisk winter day. This photo would have been taken just north of the plant in an open field next to the railroad track. You can see it was flooded and frozen. Big chucks of ice. This postcard is postmarked 1915.

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year
31/12/2022

Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year

Thank You!
11/11/2022

Thank You!

03/10/2022

What a great weekend! A Homecoming Win, great weather, and support from the community at CFA fish fry! We are looking forward to hosting you at our Open House 10-15-22!

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FWD "Four Wheel Drive" History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to FWD "Four Wheel Drive" History:

Videos

The oldest Model B!
The oldest Model B!

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Museum
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum?

Share

The First Four Wheel Drive

In 1903 brother in laws William Besserdich and Otto Zachow were the first ones to own a horseless carriage in the city of Clintonville, WI. The pair drove their car all over Clintonville impressing the citizens and turning their heads. Both Zachow and Besserdich developed and built the first successful four wheel drive car in 1908 from patents they designed. In 1909 a total of 11 vehicles had their patented lockable center differential with double-Y constant velocity universal joints for steering four wheel drive system added to the vehicles. The 11 vehicles were given the name “Battleship”. That same year the Badger Four Wheel Drive Auto Company was formed in Clintonville. In 1910 a local banker by the name of Walter Owen invested into the company and the name was changed to the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company “FWD”.