Piedmont (automobile)

The Piedmont was a car made by the Piedmont Motor Car Company, Inc., of Lynchburg, Virginia.[1]

1923 Piedmont at the Virginia Museum of Transportation

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, 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 led to the company going into receivership in October 1922.[2] There was over $225,000 worth of parts alone 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
  1. Georgano, Nick (2000). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: Stationery Office. p. 1792. ISBN 0117023191.
  2. Kimes, Beverly Rae (1996). The Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1805-1942. Iola, IA: Krause Publications. p. 1612. ISBN 0873414284.
  3. Marrano, Gene. "New Vintage Wheels for Transportation Museum". www.TheRoanakeStar.com. Retrieved 1 September 2013.


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