 | |
| Company type | Incorporation (business) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Founder | Wallace A. Taylor, Sr. |
| Defunct | 1923 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Lynchburg, Virginia, |
| Products | Automobiles |
Production output | 2,470 (1917-1922) |
| Brands | Piedmont, Lone Star, Brush, Alsace, Norwalk |
The Piedmont was a vintage automobile made by the Piedmont Motor Car Company of Lynchburg, Virginia from 1917 to 1922. [1]
History
The Piedmont was produced in a variety of closed and open body styles and was powered by 4-cylinder Lycoming and 6-cylinder Continental engines. [1] The company also made cars for other companies, such as the Alsace, Bush, Norwalk and Lone Star. [2] These were Piedmonts, but fitted with badges, hubcaps and other identification of the company who ordered the cars. [1]
This badge engineering for other companies had a direct impact on the cars actually marketed and sold under the Piedmont name. With the outside orders taking priority, Piedmont dealers in Virginia were sometimes unable to provide a car for customers who placed an order, which gave the make a poor reputation, thus hindering further sales. [1]
In December 1920 the company attempted to increase publicity and sales by advertising in the Lynchburg News ten Model 4-30 and ten Model 6-40 cars for sale to residents of Lynchburg, Campbell, Bedford, Amherst and Appomattox only, with prices reduced by $500 for each car. [2] Sales manager George Hay also persuaded the Lynchburg Police Department to use Piedmont cars, as it would "look better for the company" if they did so. [2]
Closure
In anticipation of an ever-increasing flood of orders from outside producers, Piedmont had overstocked its inventory, which with the Depression of 1920-1921 led to the company going into receivership in October 1922. [2] There was over $225,000 worth of parts in stock. [2]
Surviving cars
In June 2010 the Virginia Museum of Transportation received a donation of a 1923 Bush touring car, which was built by Piedmont. [3]
References
- ^ a b c d Georgano, Nick (2000). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: Stationery Office. p. 1792. ISBN 0117023191.
- ^ a b c d e Kimes, Beverly Rae (1996). The Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1805-1942. Iola, IA: Krause Publications. p. 1612. ISBN 0873414284.
- ^ Marrano, Gene. "New Vintage Wheels for Transportation Museum". www.TheRoanakeStar.com. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
External links
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1922
- American companies disestablished in 1922
- 1922 disestablishments in Virginia
- Defunct manufacturing companies based in Virginia
- Vintage vehicles
- 1910s cars
- 1920s cars
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Virginia
- Cars introduced in 1917
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1916