A Car for the Discriminating Few.(Escape Roads)

Byline: LEIGH DORRINGTON

The American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis offered the unusual choice of a conventionally sprung chassis or an innovative "underslung'' setup beginning in 1907. The latter placed the frame rails under the front and rear axles to move the mass of the engine and transmission closer to the ground and lower the center of gravity. The engine and body were mounted within the frame rails rather than on top. Massive wheels-up to 40 inches-provided ground clearance.

Engines were four-cylinders of up to 571 cid. Roadster and touring bodies were offered, as well as a Traveler Coupe in 1911. Americans were built to a high standard and advertised as "A Car for the Discriminating Few.'' The price was $4,000. That would be about $82,000 today.

A reorganization as the American Motors Company early in 1911 did not bode well. New management added a "Light Roadster'' at $2,000, while production of the larger cars continued in reduced numbers. In 1912, the company name was formally changed to American Underslung, and conventionally sprung chassis were eliminated in 1913. A six-cylinder was offered in the four-and seven-passenger touring cars. New models were introduced for 1914, and literature continued to tout "America's Most Luxurious Car,'' but the company went into receivership in November 1913.

The featured 1914 American Underslung Model 644, owned by George Dragone of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a four-passenger touring car built on a 134-inch wheelbase.

This car was purchased from the original owner by eminent collector Bill Harrah in the 1950s and restored in his shops in 1964-65. Following Harrah's death in 1978, his friend Ross Erickson acquired the car at auction. Dragone bought the car from Erickson's estate in 2005. The car is one of only three surviving Model 644 tourers with a six-cylinder engine.

Driving the right-hand-drive car is a revelation. The ...