National Motor Vehicle Company
Automobiles | |
Production output | 23,558 (1901-1924) |
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The National Motor Vehicle Company was an American manufacturer of
The company first concentrated on electric vehicles but soon began producing gasoline-engined cars. National produced a range of four, six, and twelve-cylinder passenger vehicles, as well as numerous successful racing cars. In 1923, National was merged into Associated Motor Industries, which subsequently went out of business in 1924.
History
Production models
National's first vehicle was the
For 1905, a circular radiator became a styling signature of the National brand.[2] National introduced one of the first six-cylinder engines in the 1906 model range, which remained available until the breakup of the company.[2]
Peak production for National was reached in 1915, with over 1,800 cars produced. For 1916, the company introduced the Highway Twelve, a 12-cylinder engine of the company's own design [3] (costing over $1,900[4]) and changed its name to National Motor and Vehicle Corporation. Curiously, the 6-cylinder engine option was priced higher than the 12-cylinder, perhaps because National outsourced the 6-cylinder to Continental under the "Continental Red Seal" moniker.[2]
Forced to raise their asking prices to counteract the effects of wartime inflation, National ended up in a higher price range in which they could not compete.[3] For 1920, National dropped their Highway Sixes and Twelves and issued a new model – the Sextet.[3] The Sextet used a Continental side-valve six-cylinder, modified by National engineers with an overhead valve head.[3]
Merger
The company was merged to form Associated Motor Industries in 1922 along with Dixie Flyer and Jackson.[5] Associated was renamed the National Motors Corporation in 1923, and few cars were made until the company ceased production in 1924.[5]
Sporting success
National had the most enviable and successful career of all of the American pre-World War I race cars. For instance, in 1911, in a combination of road races, speedway races, hill climbs and dirt track races, they won a total of 84 times, came in second 48 times and third 30 times.[6]
The
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References
- ^ Clymer, Floyd (1950). Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925. New York: Bonanza Books. p. 109.
- ^ ISBN 0-525-097929.
- ^ a b c d Spajic, Igor. "Vintage Cars of 'The Great Gatsby' – National Sextet, Series BB". vintagecarheritage.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ Dusan Ristic-Petrovic. "Image: Miscellaneous Brochures and Data/1916 Motor Cars/1916 Motor Cars-05". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
- ^ ISBN 0873414284.
- ^ a b Simeone, Frederick. "1912 National Model 40 Semi-Racing Roadster". Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
- ^ "Elgin National Road Races History". kalracing.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
Sources
- Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly (January, 1904)
- Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950.
See also
- List of automobile manufacturers
- List of defunct automobile manufacturers