American Motor Car Company

The American Motor Car Company was a short-lived company in the U.S. automotive industry, which was founded in 1906 and closed in 1914 again. My seat was in Indianapolis (Indiana). She brought the first automobile manufacturer to low frame ( Underslung ) are used, and sold cars under the name American Underslung.

History

Harry C. Stutz, who later founded an automobile manufacturer his name, built the first car for this company. Stutz but soon left the company and Fred L. Tone took over his position in 1906 as chief engineer. Tone revised the low frame, which was located below the axles and the suspension with semi-elliptic springs about it.

This reverse design was named Underslung and was applied here for the first time in industry. It gave the car a low center of gravity. To give the car adequate ground clearance, it was equipped with 40 "wheels. The company pointed out that their car did not tend to flashovers and a lateral inclination of 55 ° got along without tipping over.

The engine had 6.4 ltr. Displacement and developed (after the then measurement methods) 40 bhp (29 kW), but that the car was underpowered. 1908 was enlarged engine capacity to 7.8 liters. , So the engine is now 50 bhp (37 kW) made ​​. The company sent a roadster with the big machine in the Savannah Challenge Cup Race, but the car finished the race last.

1911, the company had to contend with financial problems and was renamed American Motor Company.

1912, all models the low-frame and were officially sold under the brand name American Underslung. However, the new company was still on shaky ground economically and worked ineffective. The relatively small production of their numerous models was split across three sites. So the company had to file for bankruptcy in November 1913.

In eight years, the American Motor Company had produced over 45,000 vehicles.

Like many other automakers that time the company suffered from inefficient production processes, questionable management practices and a focus on high production quality and expensive models at a time when the market cheaper, wanted practical cars.

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