1911 American Model 50 Underslung

The American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, was the work of Harry C. Stutz and designer Fred L. Tone. Mr. Stutz, who later formed a company bearing his name, designed the first car for the new enterprise, but he soon left, leaving Mr. Tone as chief engineer. Under Mr. Tone's leadership, the chassis was redesigned by placing it below the axles and semi-elliptic leaf springs suspension. This non-traditional, reverse arrangement became known as the underslung design. With the lower chassis position, the vehicle had a lower stance, compensated by large 40-inch wheels. The company proudly claimed that the lower stance made the vehicles safer from rollovers and could be tilted up to 55 degrees.

Along with the lower stance, the placement of the front and rear axles above the frame rails resulted in a sleek and racy profile. The large wheels allowed it ample ground clearance to negotiate the primitive road conditions of the era. Complemented by exceptional power, superior handling, and excellent cornering capabilities, the American Underslung is often considered among the earliest sporting American cars. The Underslung model was produced from 1907 until 1914, with various engines and in various sizes.

The 1911 American Traveler rested on a 124-inch wheelbase platform, and its 571 cubic inch four-cylinder engine was rated at 50 horsepower. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed transmission. They had large 40-inch-in-diameter wheels, and the Victoria five-passenger body style had a base price of approximately $4,250.

A year later, in 1912, all cars produced by the American Motor Company were named the American Underslung. The company remained over-extended, with numerous models built amongst its three factories and production remaining relatively low. By November 1913, the company had entered bankruptcy. During its eight-year existence, the American Motor Company had produced just over 45,0000 vehicles.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023