December 9, 1903 – American Automobile and Power Company

At the beginning of the twentieth century hundreds of companies pumped out newfangled people movers known as automobiles. One of those businesses, Sanford, Maine based American Automobile and Power Company, incorporated on this day in 1903. With $500,000 in capital, they manufactured three high priced models of their American Populaire in 1904 and 1905. Available bodies included a roadster for $850, a tonneau for $950, and $1000 Cape Cod Tourer. All this at the time Ford was selling its Model S for $700. AAPC Treasurer Henry Long stated, “We could sell one thousand cars in three months if we could make them.” Apparently, they could not make them. By April 1905 the Maine Alpaca Company had moved their operation into the defunct automaker’s factory.