1912 American Underslung Scout 22 Roadster

From 1906 to 1914, the American Car Company of Indianapolis produced sporting cars intended 'for the discriminating few.' Harry Stutz designed the Underslung Roadster with this unorthodox chassis layout, with axles above the frame-mounted with massive wheels to provide the necessary ground clearance. Despite the tall wheels, chassis was one of the lowest in the industry. Unfortunately, the cars were expensive to build and, after producing an amazing 45,000 cars over eight years, American was out of the business by 1914.

The American Motor Car Company did not call its car the 'Underslung' until 1912. Harry C. Stutz designed the car, but Fred I. Tone place the frame below the axles to put it as low to the ground as possible causing it to need 40-inch wheels, which meant it had very few rollovers.

This 1912 American Underslung Model 22 Scout is believed to be the only surviving example in existence from 1912, the introductory year for the model. Much of its early history is not known, but by the early 1970s, it was listed as being restored and in the care of L. Stillwell. It joined the Clem and Mary Lange Collection in 2008 and soon received a complete, Concours restoration. After the work was completed, it was shown at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the following year it was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In 2014 it was displayed at the Ault Park Concours where it won Best in Class.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021