Motor stories

Motor Stories are a series of dime novels published in the early 20th Century. This particular type of dime novel focuses on the story of Matt King, who is more commonly known as ‘Motor Matt’. Matt Kings is an athletic young man who has a keen sense for mechanics and motor vehicles. In the first issue of the Motor Stories: Motor Matt; or, The King of the Wheel, Matt King competes in a bicycle race for a coveted new motor vehicle, the motorcycle. In a thrilling turn of circumstance, Motor Matt, who is highly favored to win the race, is kidnapped by a local bookie. In order to make it back to town in time for race Matt relies on friends to help him escape on the very motorcycle he is destined to win.
Presented as “Thrilling Adventure Motor Fiction” the Motor Stories are a prime example of popular fiction in the early 20th Century. Every installment of Motor Stories includes some new motorized invention, be it plane, train, boat, car, motorcycle or even hot air balloon. Not only does the Motor Series display new and exciting modes of transportation, they also contain a moral element. Throughout the 32 issues in this series, Motor Matt works to thwart the evil doings of various villains all while commandeering these new motor vehicles. Motor Matt is meant to teach the reader how to stand up against injustice and do the right thing. Though Matt goes on some incredible adventures he is still meant to be relatable to the reader.
Motor Stories was written by Stanley R. Matthews, a pseudonym for William Wallace Cook who wrote and adapted many dime novels and other popular fiction. William Wallace Cook was also the author of Plotto, a how-to book on writing short fiction. Plotto is one of the more popular plot generator books, which discusses how to use and reuse literary plots. Cook republished and adapted his Motor Stories in other dime novel series. Motor Matt eventually evolved into the Bob Steele character in the Motor Power Series which was published shortly after Motor Stories under the pseudonym Donald Grayson.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu