In 1903 , Heine became interested in automobiles and had one of the first Ford dealerships in the west coast . The next year , he met Colonel E. J. Hall ( of the Hall-Scott Motor Company ) , who designed engines for Heine with hill climbing units . Starting in 1905 , Hall worked for Heine as works driver , repairman , chauffeur , salesman , and general partner for two and a half years . Heine built three tourers before the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire , which destroyed the Heine Motor Company and Heine Piano Company . Following the earthquake , Heine restarted the piano business , and offered federal troops the use of his tourer for transporting supplies , the wounded , and the dead
1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Heine-Velox