American Motors Company

The American Motors Company was founded as the American Motor Car Company . This American automobile manufacturer existed from 1906 to 1914. The seat was in Indianapolis ( Indiana ). He was the first automobile manufacturer to use the low-frame (Underslung) and sold cars under the American name . One line of models was called American Underslung .

history

Harry C. Stutz , who later founded an automobile manufacturer of his name, designed the first car for this company. Stutz soon left the company and Fred L. Tone took over his post as chief engineer in 1906. Tone redesigned the low frame that was below the axles and the suspension with semi-elliptical springs above.

This reverse construction was named Underslung and was used industrially here for the first time. It gave the car a low center of gravity. To give the car sufficient ground clearance, it was equipped with 40 "wheels. The company pointed out that their cars did not tend to roll over and could handle a roll angle of 55 ° without tipping over.

At least some of the engines were from Teetor-Hartley . The engine had a displacement of 6.4 liters and developed (according to the measurement methods of the time) 40 bhp (29 kW), but the car was underpowered. In 1908, the displacement was increased to 7.8 liters, so that the engine now produced 50 bhp (37 kW). The company sent a roadster with the big machine into the Savannah Challenge Cup Race , but the car was the last to finish the race.

In 1911 the company struggled with financial problems and was renamed the American Motors Company .

In 1912 all models had the low frame. The new company, however, was still economically shaky and ineffective. The relatively small production of its numerous models was divided into three locations. The company had to file for bankruptcy in 1914 .

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

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

literature

Beverly Rae Kimes, Henry Austin Clark Jr .: Standard catalog of American Cars. 1805-1942. Digital edition . 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola 2013, ISBN 978-1-4402-3778-2 , pp. 33-35 (English).
George Nick Georgano (Editor-in-Chief): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 1: A – F. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , p. 49. (English)

Web links

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