The Collis Motor Gasoline Engine

Exterior of a Pianolin 44-note coin piano.

(Photograph courtesy of Glenn Grabinsky.)

3 H.P. Collis Motor mounted on a cast aluminum base that bears the Tangley Company name. The nameplate information and the providence of the unit is unknown. The chances are what was mounted next to the engine was a Roots blower, and this handy little unit may have provided the motive power for a Tangley Calliaphone used in conjunction with some kind automobile or wagon so as to attract attention and crowds.

Interior of a Pianolin 44-note coin piano.

(Photograph courtesy of Glenn Grabinsky.)

A different view of the 3 H.P. Collis Motor, which is bolted to a cast aluminum base that bears the Tangley Company name. Probably the most unusual feature of the Collis Motor is that the water cooling radiator is in the flyiwheel.

1922 Electrotone Air Calliope advertisement.

(Photograph courtesy of Glenn Grabinsky.)

Brass nameplate and smaller "Notice" plate on a restored Collis Motor gasoline engine. Manufactured by The Collis Company, Clinton, Iowa, the plate is for a 3 H.P., Type D, engine rated at 745 R.P.M. and shown as patented in July of 1920. Underneath the Collis part of the nameplate, is the Tangley Company name, Muscatine, Iowa, and at the very bottom: "Exclusive Selling Agent To The Amusement Field.

The smaller top plate is a Notice that declares: "This instrument is owned by TANGLEY COMPANY, Muscatine, Iowa.

1924 Electrotone Air Calliope advertisment for an Artizan Air-Calio.

(Collis Company advertising material courtesy of Glenn Grabinsky.)

Advertisement appearing in the Farm Implement News, October 19, 1922, the year that Collis Company reportedly took over the manufacturing of the Piersen Motor, renaming it the Collis Motor. Tangley used the 3 H.P. size for the positive displacement Roots blower connected to a Calliaphone. Whether or not Tangley ever used a 5 H.P. Collis is unknown.

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