Small American truck manufacturers: Autocar

The name Autocar has been around since 1897, but has been solely a truck manufacturer since 1907. Founded in Pittsburgh, PA, the comany relocated to Ardmore, PA, where it stayed until bought by the White Motor Company in 1953, when it was relocated to Exton, PA. White was bought by Volvo in 1991, and Volvo owned the name until it was bough by investors in 2001, becoming Autocar LLC. While owned by Volvo/White-GMC, Autocar became solely a specialist line, consisting of construction-specific models, and specialised refuse haling trucks. Today, Autocar is only involved in the refuse truck business.

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Autocar made some of the best and best-looking trucks on the road, like the DC75:


This one is a specially-made unit for pulling turnpike doubles in the northeast US:

Here’s a 1953 model with an early integrated sleeper:

An early '50’s model on the west coast:

A late '40’s cabover:

A very-well kept 1947, IMHO, one of the best-looking trucks ever made:

A model popular in the west for doing linehaul work. Love that long hood!

An old wag-n-drag with an overhead sleeper:

By the 1960’s, Autocar was making more special-order units, such as this twin steer wrecker:

But, in the early 80’s, they also tried to become an OTR truck once again, although this is really just a typical White-GMC wearing different badges and spec’d well:

…while, at the same time, selling their popular heavy-duty trucks for construction and mining usages:

Today, Autocar just makes these models:

Sorry AlexxinNY, Which are the new ones and which are 1940’s ones again?

Alexx,

Nice pictures, solid I think is the word I would use. Did it make for a better ride having that big overhang of the front wheels? But how comforting to have that great big lump out in front. And take no notice of the funny cracks, I expect Pat to dive in any time now

Salut, David.

Autocar was one of the first trucks to use the ‘setback axle’ arrangement on a conventional tractor. This, of course, meant being one of the first to use a specially cast axle that could go under the motor. As a result, the steer axle could be loaded to closer to it’s maximum weight instead of being underloaded and reducing the amount that could go onto the drive axle(s). This also helped manouverability, a big plus for trucks going over twisty mountain passes.

Autocars were popular with mountain state hauliers back 40+ years ago because, while the laws there favoured longer wheelbase units than were allowed in the east, the condition of the roads in the mountains required excellent manouverability. Autocar made trucks that satisfied both points.

Sadly, the last 25 years has seen Autocar reduced from a quality general truck maker to a specialty truck maker, to now only a ‘bought name’ manufacturer of garbage trucks. The old heavy-duty construction segment is now split between Volvo (North America) and Mack, with a few Kenworths added.