Cartercar was an American automotive manufacturing company established in 1905 in Jackson, Michigan, and founded by Byron J. Carter.

The Cartercar was given a warm reception in the press, largely due to the friction drive transmission, which was a sort of forerunner of the CVT of today, as both offered an infinite number of engine speeds.

At 4,000 miles, the paper fiber rims that were part of the friction-drive could be replaced for no more than US$5 ($170 in 2023 dollars [1]), which was less than half the price that would be expended on grease packing in a regular geared transmission.

Tragedy struck when Byron Carter died in 1908 as a result of trying to start a stalled car; the crank kicked back and hit him in the jaw, causing gangrene which ultimately proved fatal.

[4] Because its friction-drive transmission allowed selection of any ratio rather than having fixed gear positions, the Cartercar was advertised as "The Car of a Thousand Speeds."