American Motors Incorporated (AMI) designed, manufactured, and sold a minivan for commercial delivery use in the late 1940s.
History edit
American Motors Incorporated was established around 1946. It was very short-lived; it does not seem to have been in operation after 1949. It had executive offices on Park Avenue in New York City, and a factory and service facility located upstate in Troy, New York.
Lack of success edit
Small delivery vehicles such as the Delcar did not succeed. Purchasers were limited by their carrying capacity. A larger truck can haul more cargo, resulting in less cost per mile traveled. Few niche market customers demand such a specialized service vehicle.[1]
Products edit
The company manufactured a minivan designed for business delivery uses called the Delcar. The wheelbase was only 60 in (1,500 mm) with a 25 hp (18.6 kW) engine, and it was priced at US$890. The Delcar was the first American vehicle with independent suspension on all four wheels, though the suspension used airplane landing gear-like rubber tension cords.[2]
One or more station wagons were produced using the same chassis, as well as the Delcar van. The station wagon could seat six passengers.[3]
References edit
- ^ Strohl, Daniel (2007-01-01). "The TriVan and the curse of small delivery vehicles". Hemmings Auto Blog. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ Strohl, Daniel (2006-12-23). "Troy, New York - center of automotive manufacturing". Hemmings Auto Blog. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
- ^ G.N. Georgano, G.N., ed. (1982). New Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885-Present. Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-525-93254-3.
Further reading edit
- Original Delcar retail sales brochure (four pages) printed by AMI - see images
- Mechanix Illustrated, August 1949 — brief article and picture depicting the Delcar
- Special Interest Auto magazine (Hemmings Motor News), October 1978 — brief article about the Delcar