The Piedmont was a vintage automobile made by the Piedmont Motor Car Company of Lynchburg, Virginia from 1917 to 1922.[1]
 | |
| 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 |
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
External links
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