The American Auto In The 1940's

The Great Depression is finally over, and America has entered World War II. With the new recognition as a super power, America is starting a long period of prosperity. Unfortunately for the auto industry, the war effort has taken it's toll. Most of the U.S. automakers are now manufacturing war machines and not automobiles. Those autos on the roads, are on the average, 10 years old. 1942 through 1945, the U.S. auto industry produced 20% of all the war goods needed.

In 1941 the U.S. Army invited over 130 different companies to develop a new 4-wheel-drive vehicle for the fighting American soldier. Only two companies took them up on thier offer, American Bantam and Willey's-Overland. American Bantam won the contract, but it soon was proved that the demand was too much for them. Dubbed the "Jeep", the little machine soon won the hearts of our fighting soldiers. So many Jeep's were produced, the European population believed that the little machine was issued to every soldier that enlisted for military service. When war production ceased in 1946, the popular C-J, or civilian Jeep, line was offered to the public.

The ever endeering Volkswagon Beetle was introduced to us in 1945 and stayed in production virtually unchanged until 1977. Due to the massive war effort in the 1940's, styling and innovation was placed on the back shelf. One of the biggest innovations of the decade was tubeless tires. As America moves on to the 1950's, the auto makes giant leaps and strides.

Vintage Autos

After the mayhem and start up of the auto industry in the early 1900's, America did what it does best. Refinement and development. The Vintage era was ushered in and autos became more stylish, powerful, safer, and more reliable for everyday use. Flowing body lines, windows that raised and lowered, and bodies that were more enclosed for inclement weather. Tire technology kept up pace with the auto manufacturers, and steel disc wheels came into existence.

The basic horseless carraige was quickly growing wings and basic transportation was no longer the only option. Touring cars, steam cars, cycle-cars, experimental cars, and of course luxury cars were just a quick trip to the dealer away. Multi cylinder engines were rapidly being developed during this era, and the Packard Company developed the very first V-12 engine. Calling it the Twin-Six, most, if not all engines were equipped with an electric starter. No more hand cranking the engine over to get it fired.

Dirt roads started giving away to paved streets and highways. In most parts of the country one can still see the original paving surfaces. Brick was first used before asphalt, and many, many brick streets still exist. Cross country travel was now available at a much faster rate than ever before. Indianapolis Motor Speedway was first built and utilized as a test bed for the manufacturers of autos in this country. The famed speedway was also used as a military training institution during the second world war.

The vintage era existed between the years of 1916 to 1924. Major leaps and bounds were made during this time. Most of these achievements are still in use today.

Auto's In America

The history of the automobile is wide spread and diverse. From the first self powered internal combustion buggy from Karl Benz in the mid 1800's to the complex vehicles we see on our highways everyday. The automobile has had a long running, albeit a bumpy ride, throughout time. Auto's have come a long way over the last century, and will continue to be a factor in most everyone's lives.

The first mass produced auto, or horseless carriage, was from as we all know, Henry Ford. The Model T was also known as a Brass Era Car for all the brass used for various components, such as the radiator, headlights, etc. that the auto was adorned with. This car - short for carriage, was said to be available in any color option. As long as that color was black. A little advertising humor early on from the folks at Ford.

The craze for this new mode of transportation was so wide spread that at one point there were over 127 different companies producing thier own version of the horseless carriage. Once the hysteria had settled down, and the auto industry was firmly established, by the mid 1940's, there were only seventeen left standing. The big three are obvious, some others that might ring a bell are Packard, Studebaker, American-Six, and Stanley Steamer.

The history of the auto will be a long one. Stay tuned for further facts and updates.