Categories: This Day

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

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

October 31, 1957 – The Chevrolet Impala is announced

After debuting an Impala show car at the 1956 GM Motorama, Chevrolet used the name…

5 days ago

October 30, 1911 – Little Motor Car Company is founded, later becomes part of Chevrolet

The Little Motor Car Company, founded on October 30, 1911, in Flint, Michigan, is a…

5 days ago

October 29, 1932 – Safarikar builder Bruce Mohs is born

Bruce Mohs with his Opera Sedan following its restoration. (autobild.de) Perhaps you've heard of the…

1 week ago

October 28, 1977 – Tokyo Motor Show opens

First generation Daihatsu Charade. By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 The annual Tokyo…

1 week ago

October 27, 1937 – Second generation Cadillac V-16 is introduced

1940 Cadillac V16 90 Town Car To build the ultimate automobile, Cadillac began development of…

1 week ago

October 26, 1966 – Toyota introduces what will become the best selling car ever, the Toyota Corolla

1966 Toyota Corolla debut (Toyota) The Toyota Corolla, one of the most iconic and enduring…

1 week ago