October 21, 1897 – The oldest existing US automaker is founded

The oldest existing automotive manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere was founded on this day in 1897. Louis Clark recruited his brothers John and James, his father Charles, and friend William Morgan to help him start the Pittsburg Motor Vehicle Company. Two years later the company moved from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Ardmore, changing its name to Autocar Company, as it is known today.

After building the first motorized truck in the United States in 1899, followed by several small passenger cars, the company turned its focus to commercial vehicles. By 1911 Autocar was manufacturing only trucks. The end of a short-lived post-WWII boom proved to be a difficult time for the company. Autocar would be sold to White Motor Company, then be bought and sold several more times throughout the next 40 years, landing with Volvo in the 1980s. In 2001 Autocar once again becoming independently operated after Grand Vehicle Works Holdings, LLC purchased the company.  Autocar is now headquartered in Indiana where it manufactures severe duty trucks, such as refuse vehicles.

2017 Autocar ACX refuse truck. By Sedimentary – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Cover: 1922 Autocar truck

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Geri

    Thanks in favor of sharing such a nice thinking, article
    is pleasant, thats why i have read it fully

  2. Concepcion

    continuously i used to read smaller articles or reviews that
    also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I
    am reading at this time.

  3. Lonny

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very helpful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info much.
    I was seeking this certain information for a very long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

  4. Kirk

    This is the perfect webpage for everyone who wishes
    to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue
    with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has
    been discussed for years. Great stuff, just great!

  5. Raquel

    Your way of telling everything in this piece of
    writing is actually fastidious, every one can simply be aware of it, Thanks a lot.

  6. Nancie

    It’s fantastic that you are getting thoughtsfrom this article as well as from our dialogue made at this place.

  7. Melina

    If some one needs to be updated with most recent technologies after
    that he must be visit this website and be up to date all the time.

  8. Bryce

    You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I to
    find this matter to be actually one thing that I think I might
    never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and extremely extensive for
    me. I am taking a look forward to your next put up,
    I will try to get the hold of it!

  9. Nancie

    Hello, I do believe your site could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues.Whenever I look at your website in Safari, it looksfine but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues.I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, excellentwebsite!

  10. Amado

    Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What web host
    are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  11. Terry

    Appreciating the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you present.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated
    rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your
    RSS feeds to my Google account.

  12. Odell

    It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.I have learn this put up and if I may just I want to recommendyou some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.I desire to learn more issues about it!

Comments are closed.

The best way to support This Day in Automotive History is to become a monthly subscriber on Facebook.

Subscriber benefits include:

  • Most importantly, you’re supporting great content about Automotive History
  • Early access to content on Facebook
  • Discounts on our store
  • Special live videos

If you learned something today, please buy me a beer!

No payment method connected. Contact seller.

This Day in Automotive History - the book!

This Day In Automotive History

By Brian Corey

This book tells fascinating tales, bringing individual days to life with short stories, photographs and illustrations.

This Day in Automotive History

This Day in Automotive History is a transportation history, car history and general automotive history website dedicated to providing informative and entertaining content.

We encourage you to share our page and connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter. If you’d like your car featured, reach out to us!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

Connect with us on Facebook or sign up for our automotive history newsletter to keep in touch.