American Motor Car Company
Encyclopedia
The American Motor Car Company was a short-lived company in the automotive industry
founded in 1906, lasting until 1913. It was based in Indianapolis
, Indiana, United States. The American Motor Car Company pioneered the "underslung" design.
, who later formed a company bearing his name, designed the first car for the new enterprise. However, Stutz quickly left and Fred L. Tone took over as chief engineer in 1906. Tone re-designed the chassis
(frame) below the axles and the semi-elliptic leaf spring
suspension
system mounted above.
This upside-down or reverse arrangement became known as the underslung design. It gave the vehicles a lower stance and was an industry first. Because of the lower chassis position, 40 in (1,016 mm) wheels gave the vehicle space between the frame and the ground. The company claimed that the vehicles were safe from rollovers and could be tilted up to 55 degrees.
The engine was a 6.4 l (390.2 cu in) engine rated at 40 horsepower (by the measurements at that time), but the car was underpowered. By 1908, the engine was enlarged to 7.8 l (475.6 cu in) producing 50 bhp. The company entered a large engined roadster in the Savannah Challenge Cup Race held in Savannah
, Georgia, but it finished last.
Facing financial problems during 1911, the name was changed to American Motor Company.
In 1912 all of its models featured the distinctive underslung chassis and the cars were officially named American Underslung
. However, the new company was still over-extended and inefficient. The relatively small production of its numerous models was divided among three factories.
The company went into bankruptcy
in November 1913.
Over an eight-year period, the American Motor Company had produced over 45,000 vehicles.
Like many other automakers during this era, ineffective assembly processes, questionable management practices, as well as a focus on high quality plagued it and expensive models when the market was moving to lower priced utilitarian cars.
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
founded in 1906, lasting until 1913. It was based in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana, United States. The American Motor Car Company pioneered the "underslung" design.
History
Harry C. StutzHarry C. Stutz
Harry C. Stutz was a United States automobile entrepreneur, engineer, and innovator in the automobile industry.Stutz grew up caring for and repairing agricultural machinery on the family farm. Automobiles and engines fascinated him. Stutz built his first car in 1897, and then a second auto using...
, who later formed a company bearing his name, designed the first car for the new enterprise. However, Stutz quickly left and Fred L. Tone took over as chief engineer in 1906. Tone re-designed the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
(frame) below the axles and the semi-elliptic leaf spring
Leaf spring
Originally called laminated or carriage spring, a leaf spring is a simple form of spring, commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles...
suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
system mounted above.
This upside-down or reverse arrangement became known as the underslung design. It gave the vehicles a lower stance and was an industry first. Because of the lower chassis position, 40 in (1,016 mm) wheels gave the vehicle space between the frame and the ground. The company claimed that the vehicles were safe from rollovers and could be tilted up to 55 degrees.
The engine was a 6.4 l (390.2 cu in) engine rated at 40 horsepower (by the measurements at that time), but the car was underpowered. By 1908, the engine was enlarged to 7.8 l (475.6 cu in) producing 50 bhp. The company entered a large engined roadster in the Savannah Challenge Cup Race held in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, Georgia, but it finished last.
Facing financial problems during 1911, the name was changed to American Motor Company.
In 1912 all of its models featured the distinctive underslung chassis and the cars were officially named American Underslung
American Underslung
The American Underslung was an American automobile, the brainchild of Harry Stutz and designer Fred Tone, manufactured in Indianapolis from 1905 to 1914 by American Motor Car Company.- Design :...
. However, the new company was still over-extended and inefficient. The relatively small production of its numerous models was divided among three factories.
The company went into bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
in November 1913.
Over an eight-year period, the American Motor Company had produced over 45,000 vehicles.
Like many other automakers during this era, ineffective assembly processes, questionable management practices, as well as a focus on high quality plagued it and expensive models when the market was moving to lower priced utilitarian cars.
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External links
- 1910 American Traveler Special, retrieved on: August 26, 2007.
- 1913 American Underslung Scout 22-A, retrieved on: August 26, 2007.