1913 American Underslung Traveler Tourer

The American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis produced an unusual choice of a conventionally sprung chassis setup, beginning in 1907, that became known as the innovative 'underslung.' They placed the frame rails under the front and rear axles to move the mass of the engine and transmission closer to the ground and lower the center of gravity. Instead of mounting the body and engine on top of the frame rails, they were placed within the rails. Wheels measuring up to 40 inches provide exceptional ground clearance.

In 1912, the company changed its name to the American Underslung.

This vehicle is a seven-passenger Touring Model that was introduced with a six-cylinder engine. In period, the car was advertised as 'America's Most Luxurious Car,' and was priced at well over $4,000. The Type 56 Traveler was the largest of the Underslungs and featured a full rear door, jump seats, and the largest wheels ever fitted on an Underslung at 41 inches. Period literature described the Type 56 as 'a big car of huge power. This great, graceful machine stimulates your love of motoring. Imagine your thrill of mastery over this extraordinarily sensitive and powerful piece of mechanism. A touch of the throttle and the big motor responds. You fly sixty, seventy miles an hour with ease – carefree!'

Electric headlights were added to the Traveler in 1913, and its inset cowl lights were redesigned to include ventilation inlets.

This 1913 American Underslung is the only known Type 56-A Traveler known to exist. Its original owner was Courtney Willits of New Boston, Illinois, who used it regularly until 1925, when it was retired from everyday use and kept for special occasions. In 1934, it carried Will Rogers, a former Traveler owner, in an old-time celebration parade in Galesburg, Illinois. In August 1936, Mr. Willits drove his Underslung in the pioneer parade at the Mercer County centennial in Aledo, Illinois.

After Mr. Willits passed away in 1945, his wife offered the Underslung to two prominent classic car collectors of the day - James Melton and Mr. D. Cameron Peck. Mr. Peck outbid Mr. Melton and became its new owner. He paid $550 for the red Underslung Traveler, which greatly exceeded Mr. Melton's offer. Although he paid generously for the Traveler, Mr. Peck retained the vehicle for only a brief time, and it was soon sold to Frank H. Miller of Ohio. At the time, the vehicle had less than 7,000 miles on the speedometer and wore its original 1913 Illinois license plate, tan Burbank top, cast aluminum running and floorboards, and fabric tires. Shortly after the purchase, it was sent to Ralph Buckley for a repaint in Orelans Blue. It was then driven from Ohio to Philadelphia to participate in the 1948 Glidden Tour.

The American Underslung remained with Mr. Miller until 1974, when it was sold to Philip Peterson of Worcester, Massachusetts. Two years later, he entered the car in the Spirit of '76 Transcontinental Tour from Seattle to Philadelphia. Since 1979, the Underslung has been in the hands of the current owner. It was used in several Brass Era rallies during the early years of his ownership, including the Modoc Tour. An exacting restoration began in the late 1980s with the multi-year process initiated by Clyde Wade, the former director and general manager of Harrah's Automobile Collection, and completed by Scott Andrews.

This American Underslung Traveler wears its original color scheme of American Red with black accents. It was shown at the Ironstone Concours d'Elegance and awarded the Charles A. Chayne Trophy at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It has also been loaned to the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada, for continued display.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2010