Willoughby
  Coaches

a custom design automobile body firm, originated in Rome, New York in the late nineteenth century. The first owner, R.M. Bingham, specialized in custom sleighs and carriages. When the Bingham factory was destroyed by fire in 1897, the company moved to Utica, New York where they took over the facilities of the Utica Carriage Company. Bingham’s son-in-law, Edward Willoughby, served as president. With partner William H. Owen, Edward Willoughby formed Willoughby-Owen & Co. and received contracts from the Columbia Automobile Company to produce bodies for electric cars in 1899. From 1901-1902 they produced an electric car of their own, but subsequently evolved into a custom body design and production firm. In 1903, the company was incorporated as the Willoughby Company. When Edward Willoughby died in 1913, his son, Francis Willoughby, carried on the business as the Willoughby Body Works.