1907 American Underslung

The name 'American' was a popular Company name during the early 1900s for automobile production, but Harry Stutz's American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis was one of the few that actually built an automobile. Between 1906 through 1914, the company built around 45,000 examples. The Company was better known as the American Underslung, a nickname bestowed by the factory and in reference to the advanced chassis design by Fred Tone, and not in reference to a specific model. The chassis ran under and dipped between the axles, allowing the car's body to rest closer to the ground, allowing it a lower center of gravity. This setup improved and the powerful T-head four-cylinder engines gave the 'American Underslungs' exceptional handling and performance.

American built the Underslung model from 1907 until 1914, in various sizes with various engines. 1907 was also the year that Harry Stutz left the company for Marion, later forming the legendary Stutz company. Fred Tone would leave the American Company in 1913.

The 1907 American was available as a Tourist bodystyle, resting on a 116-inch wheelbase platform, and offering seating for five passengers. The American Roadster had a 106-inch wheelbase and seating for two passengers. Both were powered by four-cylinder engines and both had a factory price of around $3,250. The 476.5 cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder engine was fitted with a single carburetor and developed around 50 horsepower. It was backed by a four-speed manual transmission and braking was handled by two-wheel drums and a transmission brake. In both the front and rear was an Underslung Leaf Spring suspension setup.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2020