When I was a kid in the 70s my uncle had some Autocar gravel trains. I remember them leaving the pit loaded up the hill out of the pit at over 120,000 pounds the ole trucks would be shifting going up the hill. some of the other trucks would never shift until the crest of the hill. I seen the scales in the winter time the Autocars would be 150,000 plus.Needless to say my uncle Cal was proud of them ole trucks
My Dad and Mom owned a Diamond T and an AwfulCar. The Diamond T had a Buda 290 hp diesel. And the AwfulCar had 250 Cumapart. They both had 5 + 3 tansmissions. Reycos, and SQHD Rockwells, 3.70:1 diffs. 22 inch tube type disc wheels. Nice trucks. Would love to have them back. Autocar made a beautiful tilt hood conventional that was a lot better looking than any pete.
Mack, Autocar and Pete are the best. Mack LR, Autocar ACX and Pete 520 are some of the best cabs in my opinion. Others may like different cabs but I like those
I hauled a lot of steel with one like that. The only bad thing was the aux box used to lock up going from 2 to 3 and I'd have to stop and stick a bar in the linkage to make it right again. The guy that drove it before me was pretty hard on it.
Mine did the same thing when i bought the truck. I took the cover off on the floor boards that covers the shifting linkage. One of the mounting brackets had a crack in it. I welded it, and it worked like new. I had a lot of fun with it hauling wood. The truck was red with black trim, and i kept it polished, she was my baby.
If I had owned the truck I'd have done the same but the company said only the company mechanic was allowed to do any work on the trucks. We had some drivers that were less than smart so the policy made sense.
Dominion Foundries and Steel Company Limited in Hamilton Ontario had a good size fleet of Red painted, short wheelbase, large HD axle units. 1952? - 73?. They plied the mill roads of the East end mill town hauling specially designed, brick lined clam shell ingot carriers - melt shop to soaking pits. They moved very slowly, and probably were pulling around 100, 000...at least. I think the trailers may have been Autocar as well, as I've seen photos of complete numbered units taken before use. ArcelorMitttal Dofasco might actually still have just one single late 60's unit still in limited use. I love those 60's handbuilt Autocar's, thanks so much for the vid.
Great video! Imagine if they inspected vehicles like that today. We would have half the vehicles we have on the road lol. Back then they actually cared now its about quantity then quality
I remember in 1979 when I got my commercial license the company I started for were phasing them out, 1 Left and nobody wanted to drive it. The tractors today are a dream to drive compared to that. Back then with the length requirement cabovers were pretty much all that were our there that I remember.
I worked for McHugh Brother's Crane Rentals in Penndel Pa. Red frames and wheels green cabs, 318 Detroit's 13 speed double overdrives with 2 speed tandems. Hendrickson RS suspension (no springs, just rubber mounting blocks). They rode rough as hell, and were noisy, but they would pull anything and were tough trucks
Autocar was popular on the Sugar Plantations here in Hawai`i...especially here on the Island of Hawai`i. Kohala Sugar & Hamakua Sugar used them to bring in the cut cane from the fields. Yamada Transfer had 2 running raw sugar to Kawaihae Elevator fo shipping...
These are the trucks Peterbilt tried to be back in the day. Overall, they weren't far off, but Autocar was the gold standard until White Motor Company took over, which began the downward spiral. Truly a shame, White ruined everything they acquired.
@@Townshipfarmer, Minniapolis-Moline, Diamond T, Reo, Oliver, Autocar, White Motor Trucks, Freightliner, Hercules Engines, Hupp Engines, Cockshutt of Canada, and Western Star. They ruined and cheapened every brand they touched. Way to go and so many great brands.
Autocar was the only truck big and powerful enough to run a snowplow AND a sand & cinder spreader off of the same truck, in the mountains where the trucks had to pull up to 11% grades.
those poor workers....old school intense labor....cnc lazers and modern equipt blows this stuff away...sorry guys, you did a hella good job back in the day!!!
this video seems to be from the 1940’s or early ‘50’s from the grill assemblies shown. Old Autocars never died. They were built like tanks and all steel. No fiberglass front ends. There is Autocar dump truck now working road constr in my neighborhood. Its at least 50 yrs old and runs like a clock.
Building is still there,I work at a local quarry the owner worked in the engine shop in the 60s.We have a A-Car at the quarry, my father drove for Trans Materials in an Autocar.
That was a great video for did that bring back memories made in America by an American when times were great in this country everything we've made from dirt to the atmosphere made in America I know this country dear trouble when them Toyota in Honda motorcycle started showing up God Bless America support Trump each person that is an American they should do his part or her part to make America great God bless the United States of America and the great Americans that make it happen register to vote and vote take pride in what you do
a long time ago, Autocar trucks were made in Ardmore Penna [1930's?] - used for coal delivery, and similar - the engine?? - it was under seat, I think --- different exhaust sound - we kids called them "min-min" trucks, due to this different exhaust sound - I suspect a 2 cycle , or similar engine -- I cannot find any info or clue --- can you help? - it was really a different sound!
john cline.... actually, Volvo has not had anything to do with A-car since 2001. GVW group LLC. (Grand Vehicle Works holdings from Ill.) bought out A-car from Volvo and has returned it to being a solely independent company, once again.
Back in the day with no safety glasses, ear plugs, or stupid MASKS. Back in the day when there was work ethic, integrity, and a sense of accomplishment.
7:00 better than rivets--- ??? Nuts & Bolts stay tight? With a lock washer that is already half broken? When that lock washer breaks the rest of the way you have a loose bolt rattling around. Lock washers may be ok for assembling soft steel grain bins or something that doesn't move but a flexing truck frame?
Lock washers look like that. The split in the washer bites into the metal as you tighten down on it and locks everything into place. Now if you don't know what a lock washer looks like,then maybe you don't know which end of the hammer does the work!
@@snoebay88 i think he's talking about when the other side of the washer breaks! I have seen them break also not to mention bolts do loosen even with a lock washer. Huck bolts are far superior.
World commerce is what happened. This kind of "boutique" production could not remain profitable in view of other U.S. and foreign manufacturers in the market. Hell, Autocar was probably already on life support when this film was made.
Gone. Today's "Autocar" are a European made garbage truck with an Auotcar badge glued to the front. My dad owned a late 60s model (the one with the square fenders) dual axle dump body in the early 70's. He said the reason he bought the Autocar was they were the toughest over the road trucks you could buy. But sadly they are a memory.
My father drove an autocar 6-wheel Drive 6 by 6 called it back then maybe it's still today that's how I learned to drive on that truck in the bush holding pulpwood abitibi price owned the trucks there was three of them that I know for on this island I think only one remains the one my father drove belong to George freak a contractor would abitibi got sold in an auction don't know where it ended up the other was owned buy FC budgull Limited I think it got scrapped and there's one remaining owned by Glen Peterson still running today not used in the bush but perked in his yard but still runs and drives oh and the island that I was speaking off is Newfoundland
40 years from now, my 50 year old autocar will still be on the road.
how 'bout getting a '47 autocar. they were 'fun'!!
oh the older the better and longer lasting trucks
The Autocar is what my grandfather used to learn how to drive a truck
Built by hand , beautiful thing .
40 years from now that truck will be illegal..
Back when people actually cared about the product they built!!!
You are so 100 percent right low boy
I do, but the boss doesn't.
We care, just give us a chance to do so ...
You haven't heard of Tesla it seems.
It alll turned into greed through political bullshit.
My grandfather maintained a fleet of autocar tractors all though late 40s and 50s. I took a few rides with him. Just like it was yesterday
I was a final assembly chassis line electrician at Mack Trucks in the 80's.
who gives a rats ass about you?
Scot faginsky
Back in the time when they made good trucks not ones that look like crap all painted in appliance colours, fridges ovens etc
@@scottbrazinsky615 play nice!
Amazing craftsmanship and true engineering!!!!
I’ve never owned or driven an Autocar, but I sure liked the way they’re built. Good stuff! 🇺🇸🥰
When I was a kid in the 70s my uncle had some Autocar gravel trains. I remember them leaving the pit loaded up the hill out of the pit at over 120,000 pounds the ole trucks would be shifting going up the hill. some of the other trucks would never shift until the crest of the hill. I seen the scales in the winter time the Autocars would be 150,000 plus.Needless to say my uncle Cal was proud of them ole trucks
Back when iron workers, and machinists made everything.
I loved the Autocar line of trucks
My Dad and Mom owned a Diamond T and an AwfulCar. The Diamond T had a Buda 290 hp diesel. And the AwfulCar had 250 Cumapart. They both had 5 + 3 tansmissions. Reycos, and SQHD Rockwells, 3.70:1 diffs. 22 inch tube type disc wheels. Nice trucks. Would love to have them back. Autocar made a beautiful tilt hood conventional that was a lot better looking than any pete.
There is something special when s driver looks out over the "piano hinge " as compared to hoods of fiberglass .
Autocar first truck in the business.
A real truck, not a cardboard throwaway piece of shit 9400 Navistar
My great grandfather was a machinist for Autocar in the 1910's and 20's in the Ardmore Pa location. That location burned down in 1957.
This is why i only buy old stuff, new stuff is junk.
Sounds like music to the ears. Would love to find my old "74 and restore it. Nice, tough ol' trucks.
Now those were trucks!!
Autocar was JUNK
Mack, Autocar and Pete are the best. Mack LR, Autocar ACX and Pete 520 are some of the best cabs in my opinion. Others may like different cabs but I like those
I had a 63 in the 70's, it had a aluminum frame, 250 Cummings, with a double stick 4x4 tran. I hauled a lot of pulpwood and logs with the ole girl
I hauled a lot of steel with one like that. The only bad thing was the aux box used to lock up going from 2 to 3 and I'd have to stop and stick a bar in the linkage to make it right again. The guy that drove it before me was pretty hard on it.
Mine did the same thing when i bought the truck. I took the cover off on the floor boards that covers the shifting linkage. One of the mounting brackets had a crack in it. I welded it, and it worked like new. I had a lot of fun with it hauling wood. The truck was red with black trim, and i kept it polished, she was my baby.
If I had owned the truck I'd have done the same but the company said only the company mechanic was allowed to do any work on the trucks. We had some drivers that were less than smart so the policy made sense.
Duane Nelson Not to be mean, but it's Cummins, I imagine that you were hosed by the auto correct it happens to me a lot, lol.
@@rcaircraftnut big difference between Cummins and Cummings,
This is a company that takes pride in handcrafting a quality product!!
Dominion Foundries and Steel Company Limited in Hamilton Ontario had a good size fleet of Red painted, short wheelbase, large HD axle units. 1952? - 73?. They plied the mill roads of the East end mill town hauling specially designed, brick lined clam shell ingot carriers - melt shop to soaking pits. They moved very slowly, and probably were pulling around 100, 000...at least. I think the trailers may have been Autocar as well, as I've seen photos of complete numbered units taken before use. ArcelorMitttal Dofasco might actually still have just one single late 60's unit still in limited use. I love those 60's handbuilt Autocar's, thanks so much for the vid.
Very nice truck industry back in the 40s 50s and 60s. When trucks had personality.
There used to be an Autocar plant in Exton Pa
Great video! Imagine if they inspected vehicles like that today. We would have half the vehicles we have on the road lol. Back then they actually cared now its about quantity then quality
I always liked the sturdy look of these trucks. Sadly, they lost their way over the years and the new ones are not so well built anymore.
I remember in 1979 when I got my commercial license the company I started for were phasing them out, 1 Left and nobody wanted to drive it. The tractors today are a dream to drive compared to that. Back then with the length requirement cabovers were pretty much all that were our there that I remember.
Excellent video, don't make quality like that anymore, so sad... junk today.
I worked for McHugh Brother's Crane Rentals in Penndel Pa. Red frames and wheels green cabs, 318 Detroit's 13 speed double overdrives with 2 speed tandems. Hendrickson RS suspension (no springs, just rubber mounting blocks). They rode rough as hell, and were noisy, but they would pull anything and were tough trucks
1st. truck i drove for money, a 1954 Autocar.
Shalum in Yahuwah from Saskatchewan .
Tough damn trucks.
Autocar was popular on the Sugar Plantations here in Hawai`i...especially here on the Island of Hawai`i. Kohala Sugar & Hamakua Sugar used them to bring in the cut cane from the fields. Yamada Transfer had 2 running raw sugar to Kawaihae Elevator fo shipping...
Are there any still left over there? I've seen pictures of them over there on Google images on old autocar ads
To own one of the stainless steel Autocars would be amazing!
An old Edgecomb tractor ?
@@carldrexler7883 Yes!
Autocars,a fantastic Truck a lot of them are still driving today,in one shape or form.just sayin'
Interesting to see how some things haven't changed and some things changed completely.
this is exactly how we still build these to this day, upside down to start, and only built to customer order.
When rigs were built to last
mine a 53 with 4×3×2split rearend with a 260 cummings we put a turbo on it turned to a 280
These are the trucks Peterbilt tried to be back in the day. Overall, they weren't far off, but Autocar was the gold standard until White Motor Company took over, which began the downward spiral. Truly a shame, White ruined everything they acquired.
Donald Mccauley m
They really did ruin every brand they bought.
@@Townshipfarmer, Minniapolis-Moline, Diamond T, Reo, Oliver, Autocar, White Motor Trucks, Freightliner, Hercules Engines, Hupp Engines, Cockshutt of Canada, and Western Star. They ruined and cheapened every brand they touched. Way to go and so many great brands.
Autocar was the only truck big and powerful enough to run a snowplow AND a sand & cinder spreader off of the same truck, in the mountains where the trucks had to pull up to 11% grades.
those poor workers....old school intense labor....cnc lazers and modern equipt blows this stuff away...sorry guys, you did a hella good job back in the day!!!
Some f UN people today are 2 good to work worthless b@$+∆ds!!!
this video seems to be from the 1940’s or early ‘50’s from the grill assemblies shown. Old Autocars never died. They were built like tanks and all steel. No fiberglass front ends.
There is Autocar dump truck now working road constr in my neighborhood. Its at least 50 yrs old and runs like a clock.
Some people like their Mercedes and Ferraris. I like my Autocars and Saabs.
My father drove in Cuba Autocar semitruck , he said that is the best , with Cummins 's motor .
Over the top truck assembly line
The plant was in Exton Pa. I used to pass it all the time. I think Volvo bought them out and no more Autocar.
Building is still there,I work at a local quarry the owner worked in the engine shop in the 60s.We have a A-Car at the quarry, my father drove for Trans Materials in an Autocar.
why is there 4 minutes of black blank images at the end of this video?
you should fix that.
That was a great video for did that bring back memories made in America by an American when times were great in this country everything we've made from dirt to the atmosphere made in America I know this country dear trouble when them Toyota in Honda motorcycle started showing up God Bless America support Trump each person that is an American they should do his part or her part to make America great God bless the United States of America and the great Americans that make it happen register to vote and vote take pride in what you do
"Breaking News". tRump lost. Then proceeded to act like the child he is.
at 9:30
I was afraid it would be Harry S. Truman on the right side.
a long time ago, Autocar trucks were made in Ardmore Penna [1930's?] - used for coal delivery, and similar - the engine?? - it was under seat, I think --- different exhaust sound - we kids called them "min-min" trucks, due to this different exhaust sound - I suspect a 2 cycle , or similar engine -- I cannot find any info or clue --- can you help? - it was really a different sound!
+Lawrence Belz Have you seen this Jay Leno AutoCar truck ?:
ua-cam.com/video/qccV1_uky4o/v-deo.html
P
i thought AutoCar was European..glad i was wrong becuase i want to buy one someday..and i dont buy foreign made trucks
At 9:05 is it a good idea to bake all those parts at that heat
The Autocar trucks where the toughest I have ever drove. Before Volvo took over them then they where junk.
john cline.... actually, Volvo has not had anything to do with A-car since 2001. GVW group LLC. (Grand Vehicle Works holdings from Ill.) bought out A-car from Volvo and has returned it to being a solely independent company, once again.
Back in the day with no safety glasses, ear plugs, or stupid MASKS. Back in the day when there was work ethic, integrity, and a sense of accomplishment.
Autocar porque ya no armo tractocamiones es buena marca
Which era is this from? 50s. 40s, or 30s?
looked like a 1962 chevy nova at 11.31 in to it.
Imagine anything built from absolute scratch in the USA these days.And i mean anything
Labor intensive. cant streamline the manufacturing. Great for the model T ford. The deathnell for todays industry.
The photo of the bare cab looks just like a Diamond Reo of witch I have driven many miles...just saying.
Auto Car , Diamond Reo, and White used the same cabs in the 60s and 70s
@@keithking1484 the cab was introduced in 1950
No wonder they went out of business. All that excess inventory and intensive labor are expensive and I efficient.
7:00 better than rivets--- ??? Nuts & Bolts stay tight? With a lock washer that is already half broken? When that lock washer breaks the rest of the way you have a loose bolt rattling around. Lock washers may be ok for assembling soft steel grain bins or something that doesn't move but a flexing truck frame?
Lock washers look like that. The split in the washer bites into the metal as you tighten down on it and locks everything into place. Now if you don't know what a lock washer looks like,then maybe you don't know which end of the hammer does the work!
I agree I have had many 1915 cars with riveted frames that were still tight as hell.
I can show you a bunch of 67 Autocars at a used parts company bet you can't break one of those bolts loose with a air gun.
You obviously don't know how nut-and-bolt fastening systems work.
@@snoebay88 i think he's talking about when the other side of the washer breaks! I have seen them break also not to mention bolts do loosen even with a lock washer. Huck bolts are far superior.
Peak America. What happened?
(Rhetorical question. We all know what happened).
World commerce is what happened. This kind of "boutique" production could not remain profitable in view of other U.S. and foreign manufacturers in the market. Hell, Autocar was probably already on life support when this film was made.
They were built tough but you needed a kidney belt to drive one.
So where is the autocar now
Out of business, for the reasons they describe here.
and what Happened with this company .......
they're still around although today they only manufacture cab over design trucks
Jon Homrich
sad ..was a great company ..and great tractors ... cheers ...
@G Ross yeeaahh... that's not true, they are still hand built on an assembly line.
Gone. Today's "Autocar" are a European made garbage truck with an Auotcar badge glued to the front. My dad owned a late 60s model (the one with the square fenders) dual axle dump body in the early 70's. He said the reason he bought the Autocar was they were the toughest over the road trucks you could buy. But sadly they are a memory.
They've started building the conventional autocar again. They're built in Birmingham al.
My father drove an autocar 6-wheel Drive 6 by 6 called it back then maybe it's still today that's how I learned to drive on that truck in the bush holding pulpwood abitibi price owned the trucks there was three of them that I know for on this island I think only one remains the one my father drove belong to George freak a contractor would abitibi got sold in an auction don't know where it ended up the other was owned buy FC budgull Limited I think it got scrapped and there's one remaining owned by Glen Peterson still running today not used in the bush but perked in his yard but still runs and drives oh and the island that I was speaking off is Newfoundland
I have a 6x6 autocar. Its a dc66 model.
That time quality matters. Men power, no robots. Today we have just junk…..and stupid people approving those junks.
now Hecho en china