1910 American Traveler Underslung American Traveler

The Indianapolis-based firm of the American Motor Car Company debuted its first car in 1905. Designed by Harry Stutz, who later formed the famous company bearing his name. Mr. Stutz left the company in 1906 and Fred L. Tone took over as chief engineer. Mr. Tone re-designed the chassis/suspension system by reversing the arrangement. The upside-down or underslung was an industry first and gave the vehicle a racy stance, while large 41x4.5-inch tires gave it more ground clearance than most conventional models. The company produced various model and engine combinations until its demise in December 1913.

This particular 1910 Traveler is one of 300 units produced in 1910 and is 1 of 2 still in existence. It is equipped with a 50 horsepower engine with a 5 3/8 inch x 5 5/8 inch 4-cylinder Teetor-Hartley engine, it carried a sales price of $5,000.

Mr. E. C. Deemer purchased the car new, and also owned 3 other Americans of an earlier vintage. The car remained in the family until the 1990s except for this example. This car underwent a 17-year restoration to original factory standards.

When Mr. Deemer passed away in 1959 at the age of 89, all four cars were still in his possession. His two sons inherited the cars and had them stored. When they wanted to have the cars restored, it was decided that this car would satisfy the charges for the restoration of the other three Americans. Walter Seeley of Jamestown, NY, began the restoration and the first car took six years to restore. His payment, this 1910 American Underslung Traveler took 17 years to finish for himself. After one other owner, this car joined the current owner's collection.

The current owner purchased the car in 2005 from the Harris (or Haines) family in Ohio, which had previously purchased and owned two of the original Deemer cars, as well as three other Underslungs. In the summer of 2005, it was purchased by its current caretaker.