American Underslung
Encyclopedia
The American Underslung was an American
automobile
, the brainchild of Harry Stutz
and designer Fred Tone, manufactured in Indianapolis
from 1905 to 1914 by American Motor Car Company
.
design and huge 40 inches (102 cm) wheels gave it a distinctive appearance and it was noticeably lower than other cars from the same era. The chassis was hung below the axles rather than set atop them, with the engine and transmission mass moved closer to the ground lowering the center of gravity and giving sports car
appearance and handling. The design mounted the engine and body within the frame rails rather than the on top as with other cars of the era. Developed in collaboration with Harry Stutz, the 1905 Underslung "was one of the most significant, if unsung, automobiles of this century's first decade."
The automobiles were marketed at the upper price range of the market. Prices for the American Underslung ranged from US
$1,250 to $4,000. The cars came with Teetor-Harley 6.4 litre straight-4
engines producing 40 hp, as measured by an old system, and starting in 1908 a 7.8 litre with 50 hp became available.
In 1913, electric starters and lights became available on the Underslungs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
, the brainchild of Harry Stutz
Harry C. Stutz
Harry C. Stutz was a United States automobile entrepreneur, engineer, and innovator in the automobile industry.Stutz grew up caring for and repairing agricultural machinery on the family farm. Automobiles and engines fascinated him. Stutz built his first car in 1897, and then a second auto using...
and designer Fred Tone, manufactured in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
from 1905 to 1914 by American Motor Car Company
American Motor Car Company
The American Motor Car Company was a short-lived company in the automotive industry founded in 1906, lasting until 1913. It was based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The American Motor Car Company pioneered the "underslung" design.-History:...
.
Design
The American Underslung's chassisChassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
design and huge 40 inches (102 cm) wheels gave it a distinctive appearance and it was noticeably lower than other cars from the same era. The chassis was hung below the axles rather than set atop them, with the engine and transmission mass moved closer to the ground lowering the center of gravity and giving sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
appearance and handling. The design mounted the engine and body within the frame rails rather than the on top as with other cars of the era. Developed in collaboration with Harry Stutz, the 1905 Underslung "was one of the most significant, if unsung, automobiles of this century's first decade."
The automobiles were marketed at the upper price range of the market. Prices for the American Underslung ranged from US
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
$1,250 to $4,000. The cars came with Teetor-Harley 6.4 litre straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engines producing 40 hp, as measured by an old system, and starting in 1908 a 7.8 litre with 50 hp became available.
Versions
The American Underslung came in several versions:- A two door sports version, called the "Scout Roadster".
- Around 1909, American introduced a four-passenger Underslung dubbed "The Traveler".
- The car was also available from 1905 to 1908 with a conventional chassis design; this model was called the "American Tourist". It came in another version, a two door sports version, called the Scout Roadster.
Updates to the Underslung
In 1910, the horsepower rating for the engine was increased to 60 hp by enlarging the cylinder bore and adding pressurized lubrication.In 1913, electric starters and lights became available on the Underslungs.
Fall of the manufacturer
The American Underslung marketing slogan was "The Car For The Discriminating Few" and apparently there were few buyers. Although new models were introduced for 1914 and the company continued to boast the American Underslung was “America’s Most Luxurious Car,” at a time when the end came with the firm was put into receivership in November 1913.- See: American Motor Car CompanyAmerican Motor Car CompanyThe American Motor Car Company was a short-lived company in the automotive industry founded in 1906, lasting until 1913. It was based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The American Motor Car Company pioneered the "underslung" design.-History:...