Fleetwood Metal Body

The Fleetwood Metal Body Co. was an American operation wheelwright, who was based in Fleetwood (Pennsylvania).

The company was founded in 1909 by Harry C. Urich ( 1867-1947 ) founded the "Dutch County " of Pennsylvania. Urich was previously employed at Reading Metal Body Co.. The company was sold in the same year and moved, so Urich become self- made ​​with some of his colleagues.

1910 took over Fleetwood addition to its own premises, the building of the predecessor company Reading. 7 years later burned most of the buildings, but were constructed the same again. In the same year Fleetwood already employed 375 people. One of the early automobile manufacturers for which Fleetwood bodies were delivered ALCo, American Fiat ( a luxury manufacturer), Chadwick, SGV, Simplex, Renault (which only the most expensive models in the U.S. imported ), and later also FRP and their successors Porter.

1918 established a branch office in New York City. In the same house later withdrew one and the car designer LeBaron, with the Fleetwood cooperated strengthened. 1920 were made in the month ( depending on size and complexity) 50 to 80 bodies; the orders came from the New York dealer Packard and Pierce -Arrow. In the years 1921 and 1922 but also of custom-made bodies on chassis from Duesenberg, Richelieu, Biddle (both with Duesenberg engines), Lincoln, LaFayette, Doble, Crane - Simplex, Daniels, Locomobile, Owen Magnetic and Fox were produced; to the imported chassis were those of the brands Mercedes- Benz, Rolls -Royce, Isotta Fraschini, Hispano -Suiza, Lancia and Minerva. Fleetwood is known for its luxurious wooden interiors. From 1922 to small series for Lincoln, and later also for Ford built.

On 18 July 1925, the Fisher Body Corporation Fleetwood bought up, the founder Urich withdrew from the company. At the same time the New York office was relocated to the seat of Fisher in Detroit. Fleetwood built from then on almost exclusively for the General Motors brand Cadillac and LaSalle. From December 1925, the new, fast-drying wood coatings from DuPont were used in Fleetwood for the first time. In 1929 Fisher in Detroit build a completely new plant for Fleetwood in which a majority of the production was moved from Pennsylvania. End of 1930 the Fleetwood 's main plant was closed, which meant a great loss for the community Fleetwood midst of the world economic crisis. The local GM dealer was boycotted by the people, so he finally had to give up. Many residents of Fleetwood (Pennsylvania ) at to date, no car nor a GM brand.

In the same year, the new Cadillac V16 was released exclusively with Fleetwood bodies. In 1931, last bodies for Packard chassis made ​​at the instigation of Lawrence P. Fischer, who was one of GM's directors now.

1932 Fleetwood has been completely integrated into the Fisher Body Corporation. From this time until 1984 were " Fleetwood " and " Fisher " only luxurious trim levels of Cadillac models.

Sources and links

  • Articles about car body manufacturer in the Detroit News ( English)
  • Detailed history of Fleetwood (English)
  • Body Manufacturer
  • Company (Pennsylvania)
  • Former company (United States)
  • Berks County
American Locomotive Company LeBaron Incorporated Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company Lincoln Motor Company LaFayette Motors Locomobile Company of America Hispano-Suiza LaSalle (automobile)
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