American Motors Incorporated

See also American Motors (AMC)
Delcar brochure page 1
Delcar brochure page 2
Delcar brochure page 3
Delcar brochure page 4

American Motors Incorporated (AMI) designed, manufactured, and sold a mini-van for commercial delivery use. This company was not related to the American Motors Corporation (AMC), a major automaker formed in 1954 by the merger of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and the Hudson Motor Car Company.

History

American Motors Incorporated was established around 1946. It was very short-lived because it does not seem to have been in operation after 1949. It had executive offices on Park Avenue in New York City, as well as a factory and service facility upstate in Troy, New York.

Products

The company manufactured a mini-van designed for business delivery use. It was called the Delcar. The wheelbase was only 60 inches (1,500 mm) with a 25 hp (18.6 kW) engine, and it was priced at US$890 (suggested retail price). The Delcar was the first American vehicle with independent suspension on all four wheels, though the suspension used airplane landing gear-like rubber tension cords.[1]

As well as the Delcar van, one or more station wagons were produced using the same chassis. The station wagon could seat six.[2] A model was built for export, the Amco.

Lack of success

Small delivery vehicles such as the Delcar did not succeed. Purchasers would be limited by their carrying capacity. A larger truck can haul more cargo resulting in less cost per mile traveled. Few niche market customers demand a such a specialized service vehicle.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Strohl, Daniel (2006-12-23). "Troy, New York - center of automotive manufacturing". Hemmings Auto Blog. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  2. ↑ G.N. Georgano, G.N., ed. (1982). New Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885-Present. Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-525-93254-3.
  3. ↑ Strohl, Daniel (2007-01-01). "The TriVan and the curse of small delivery vehicles". Hemmings Auto Blog. Retrieved 2012-01-01.

Bibliography

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