Frederick Dennison
Encyclopedia
Frederick Ridley Dennison (1876-1960) was a Oamaru mechanical engineer who designed and built New Zealand's first indigenous motor car in 1900.
Dennison was born Hilderthorpe on 2 January 1876. His father was a blacksmith and his mother the local Post Mistress. He was educated at Pukeuri. He moved to Christchurch and was employed working as a mechanical engineer.
In the 1890's he became interested in motor vehicles and began designing his own, including its engine. He made his first car in early 1900. It was powered by gasoline engine he had designed. Dennison drove the car from Christchurch to Oamaru on a proving run in June 1900. It attained a top speed of 15 miles per hour under favourable circumstances. The journey which now takes about two hours took five days with rivers to ford, numerous mechanical failures, and very poor roads. Unfortunately on the return journey the car exploded and was destroyed by the ensuing fire. Dennison was unharmed but lost his luggage.
On his journey to Oamaru he was shown a three-wheel vehicle in Timaru
by its maker Cecil Walleden Wood. Whether this vehicle pre-dated Dennison's and was a motor car is the subject of unresolved ongoing debate.
There is no record of any further self designed cars by Dennison. In 1904 he assembled a Ford Model B
with the Papakaio village smith's assistant, Donald A Whyte and in 1906 began importing and assembling Ford's. His also made at least one bus, only the body and tyres were made by others.. The bus was sold to W Fewings of Gore.
In 1908 Dennison was appointed Ford agent for Otago and South Canterbury by their Australasian representative Gordon M McGregor.
Dennison was also an inventor who applied for and held patents for various invensions relating to vehicles and their engines. He also rode a Torpedo motor cycle in races.
Dennison died in 1960.
Dennison was born Hilderthorpe on 2 January 1876. His father was a blacksmith and his mother the local Post Mistress. He was educated at Pukeuri. He moved to Christchurch and was employed working as a mechanical engineer.
In the 1890's he became interested in motor vehicles and began designing his own, including its engine. He made his first car in early 1900. It was powered by gasoline engine he had designed. Dennison drove the car from Christchurch to Oamaru on a proving run in June 1900. It attained a top speed of 15 miles per hour under favourable circumstances. The journey which now takes about two hours took five days with rivers to ford, numerous mechanical failures, and very poor roads. Unfortunately on the return journey the car exploded and was destroyed by the ensuing fire. Dennison was unharmed but lost his luggage.
On his journey to Oamaru he was shown a three-wheel vehicle in Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
by its maker Cecil Walleden Wood. Whether this vehicle pre-dated Dennison's and was a motor car is the subject of unresolved ongoing debate.
There is no record of any further self designed cars by Dennison. In 1904 he assembled a Ford Model B
Ford Model B (1904)
See also Ford Model B Ford Model B was an upscale touring car introduced in 1904. It was Ford's first car to use the front-engine layout, with a large 24 hp 4-cylinder engine positioned at the front behind a conventional radiator...
with the Papakaio village smith's assistant, Donald A Whyte and in 1906 began importing and assembling Ford's. His also made at least one bus, only the body and tyres were made by others.. The bus was sold to W Fewings of Gore.
In 1908 Dennison was appointed Ford agent for Otago and South Canterbury by their Australasian representative Gordon M McGregor.
Dennison was also an inventor who applied for and held patents for various invensions relating to vehicles and their engines. He also rode a Torpedo motor cycle in races.
Dennison died in 1960.