1913 American Underslung Scout

Harry Stutz's American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis would built approximately 45,000 automobiles from 1906 through 1914. Financial backing for this endeavor was sourced from V.A. Longaker and D.S. Menasco.

Stutz's experience with automobiles stretched back to 1898 when, at 22 years of age, he built his first internal combustion engine-powered vehicle, a belt-drive buggy propelled via a single-cylinder engine of his own design and manufacture, delivering 2 horsepower. He founded the Dayton engine manufacturing company, which he sold in 1902 to Lindsay Automobile Parts in Indianapolis; Stutz and the company were relocated to Indianapolis to oversee Lindsay's manufacture of the Stutz-designed engines. The following year, Stutz went to work for G&J Tire Company, and in 1904, he introduced F.H. Wheeler (an investor) to George Schebler (engineer) to form the Schebler Carburetor Company. Mr. Stutz became a manager of sales at the newly formed Schebler company shortly before he incorporated the American Motor Car Company; its first production automobile was offered for sale in January 1906. Stutz's time at the company he founded was brief, and within a few months, he moved on to the Marion Motor Car Company to serve as chief engineer. Fred I. Tone served as Marion's chief engineer; however, upon Stutz's arrival, Tone departed and joined American. A few years later, and still supported by investors of Marion and American, Stutz created the legendary company that would bear his name after 'The car that made good in a day' finished the 1911 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 11th place.

One of the many contributions made to the American Motor Car Company by Fred Tone was the underslung chassis design, which became a hallmark of the company and would eventually be adopted as part of American's name. His idea for a lower and sportier chassis design originated from his observation of a standard automobile frame being unloaded into the factory in an inverted position. His design placed the frame beneath the axles and the semi-elliptic springs on top, creating what many describe as America's first sports car. Ground clearance was not reduced, as the engine and body were positioned within, rather than on top, of the chassis.

Stutz chassis design for the American automobile was conventional, and it would remain in production until 1913, a year before American ceased production. Additionally, his four-cylinder engine, built with variations in bore and stroke, would power both the American Tourist chassis he designed and the American Underslung for nearly the firms entire existence. Initially, the engine powering the 1906 Tourist chassis had a 4.625-inch bore and a 5-inch stroke, resulting in a 336 cubic-inch displacement. The side valve inline four-cylinder powerplant was rated at 35 ALAM horsepower.

By 1912, American had diversified its model range with the large Traveler (introduced in 1909) being joined by a mid-range Tourist and a modestly proportioned 'Scout'. The latter was offered 'strictly two-passenger car' with sporting roadster coachwork and a reasonable price tag of $1,250 (approximately a quarter of the cost of the Traveler). The Scout introduced a new breed of buyers of the brand, diversifying the company's portfolio, but ultimately was not enough to save the company which folded in 1914.

The American Company was facing financial difficulties, even with the new customer base gained from the Scout. For 1913, only the 'intermediate' Tourist line received changes while the top-of-the-line Traveler remained unchanged from the previous year. The Scout's advertising brochure stated: 'The American Scout fills the long felt want for a small car of class and distinction, solidly built throughout, bearing the stamp of quality and attention to details in every part.'

The 1913 American Tourist had a 118 inch wheelbase, a four-cylinder engine with 50 horsepower, and body styles that included a 4-passenger Tourer ($2,350), a Runabout ($2,350), and a 5-passenger Coupe ($3,500). The Traveler had a generous 140-inch wheelbase, a four-cylinder engine with 60 hp, and a range of body styles that included a 4- and 6-passenger Tourer, and a 6-passenger Limousine. Prices ranged from $4,250 to $6,000.

The American Scout rested on a 105-inch wheelbase platform with a semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension with a floating rear axle and double internal expanding rear wheel drum brakes. The T-head engine displaced 251 cubic inches and produced approximately 30 horsepower. It was paired with a sliding gear three-speed manual transmission with reverse. Standard equipment included a dog-leg windshield, 36x3.5 tires, a disco self-starter, a Warner 60mph speedometer, a battery-operated electric tail and dash lights, and nickel headlamps powered by a Prest-O-Lite acetylene tank. Body styles included a 2-passenger roadster priced at $1,475 and a 3-passenger Colonial Coupe at $2,000.

The American Motor Car Company advertised its 1913 product line as 'The World's Motor Car Unique. It is a rare combination of the best and choicest of everything – in it are incorporated all those ease giving qualities that one finds in a big touring car.'

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2025