Autocar is one of the oldest names in automotive manufacturing…122 years old, in fact. They made a wide range of cars early on, but after World War II the company pretty much stuck their focus on commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. In 1953 Autocar became a part of White. In 1980 Volvo bought White, and in 1987 Volvo also bought GMC’s heavy truck unit. This proceeded up until Volvo’s acquisition of Renault’s North American line (including Mack Trucks) became an issue, so Autocar was split off on their own with certain Volvo/White designs going with them. Today you are likely to encounter an Autocar product as it picks up your garbage and that’s just about it.
Back in the day, however, Autocars were absolutely brutal machines. This is Lohnes-like territory: a battering ram bumper hooked to a frame that housed an engine, a radiator shell that dictated the styling, and a cab that had a seat, a wheel, and a shifter…end of story. When was the last time you saw one of these beasts? I might have seen one buried in an old logging station near the Hoh Rainforest once, but that could’ve been a Brockaway or some ancient Kenworth for all I know. Anymore, this is how you find them: weatherbeaten, neglected, and reeking of ancient grease. The old Cummins mill in this beast has been brought to life, but now the question: how does a truck this old drive?
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