Private company

American Motors Incorporated

Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

American Motors Incorporated (AMI) designed, manufactured, and sold a minivan for commercial delivery use in the late 1940s.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1946Founded1
DelcarVanBrochure1
Photo: American Motors Incorporated of Troy, New York, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons4

American Motors Incorporated (AMI) designed, manufactured, and sold a minivan for commercial delivery use in the late 1940s.2

The story

American Motors Incorporated was established around 1946. It was very short-lived; it does not seem to have been in operation after 1949. It had executive offices on Park Avenue in New York City, and a factory and service facility located upstate in Troy, New York.

Lack of success

Small delivery vehicles such as the Delcar did not succeed. Purchasers were limited by their carrying capacity. A larger truck can haul more cargo, resulting in less cost per mile traveled. Few niche market customers demand such a specialized service vehicle.

From Wikipedia’s article on American Motors Incorporated, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Products and brands

The company manufactured a minivan designed for business delivery uses called the Delcar. The wheelbase was only 60 in (1,500 mm) with a 25 hp (18.6 kW) engine, and it was priced at US$890. The Delcar was the first American vehicle with independent suspension on all four wheels, though the suspension used airplane landing gear-like rubber tension cords.

One or more station wagons were produced using the same chassis, as well as the Delcar van. The station wagon could seat six passengers.

From Wikipedia’s article on American Motors Incorporated, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Timeline

  1. 1946Founded Founded1