The Benton Harbor is significant as one of the oldest intact automobiles built in the United States. The Benton Harbor Motor Carriage or “motocycle” was designed and built by Albert and Lewis (Louis) Baushke of Benton Harbor, MI, owners of Baushke Carriage Works, and William O. Worth, an engine builder and inventor from Chicago, IL. The trio intended to compete in the 1895 Chicago Times-Herald “Motocycle Competition” America’s first publicized “race.” They did not complete the car in time. When it was first tested in early 1896 it proved to be a failure and the Baushke brothers and Worth parted ways. The Baushkes never built another car, but Worth founded the Chicago Motor Vehicle Company and other enterprises, where he produced a handful of automobiles and patents. Worth retained the Benton Harbor until the '30s. It was acquired by David Kolzow in '81. After a frame-off restoration and showing it at events he donated it to the AACA Museum, Inc. in 1995.

NHVR No. 20 HAER No. PA-655