Corbitt (automobile company)

Corbitt

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive, Agricultural machinery
Founded	1899
Founder	Richard J. Corbitt
Defunct	1954
Fate	Acquired by United Industrial Syndicate in 1952; operations wound down by 1954
Headquarters	Henderson , United States
Area served	United States (regional presence)
Products	Automobiles, trucks, urban buses, military vehicles, farm tractors

Corbitt was an American company specializing in the production of automobiles, trucks, and agricultural machinery, established by businessman Richard J. Corbitt. Originally engaged in the tobacco trade in North Carolina, Corbitt transitioned to manufacturing horse-drawn carriages around 1899, successfully merging several local competitors. The firm introduced its inaugural automobile, the 'Motorbuggy,' in 1905, which entered full-scale production by 1907 but initially faced financial challenges.

From 1910 onward, Corbitt shifted focus toward the lucrative truck manufacturing sector, launching a 1.5-ton chain drive model and eventually expanding its offerings to include light and heavy-duty trucks, urban buses, military vehicles for the U.S. Army, and farm tractors. Based in Henderson, North Carolina, Corbitt held a strong regional presence until its acquisition in 1952 by the New York-based United Industrial Syndicate. Following this takeover, the new management gradually wound down operations, halting production by 1954 with only limited assembly from remaining inventory continuing afterward.

The company’s military vehicle portfolio featured robust models such as 6-ton 6×6 and 8-ton 6x4 trucks, which enhanced its standing in defense procurement. Through a diverse product lineup and strategic expansion, Corbitt established itself as a significant contributor to the American automotive industry during the early twentieth century.

Year	Model	Production	Load Capacity	Serial Numbers	Displacement
1913	D		2-seater Roadster		3707 cc
	E		4-seater Tourer		3707 cc
	F		5-seater Tourer		3707 cc
1914	D		2-seater Roadster		3707 cc
	E		4-seater Tourer		3707 cc
	F		5-seater Tourer		3707 cc
1918	AA	9	5 t	1000-1008	6969 cc
	A	22	3.5 t	2000-2021	5734 cc
	B	40	2.5 t	3000-3039	4599 cc
	C	104	2 t	4000-4103	4599 cc
	D	35	1.5 t	5000-5034	3620 cc
	E	82	1 t	6000-6081	3620 cc
1919	AA	?	5 t	1009-	6969 cc
	A	37	3.5 t	2022-2058	5734 cc
	B	62	2.5 t	3040-3101	4599 cc
	C	80	2 t	4104-4183	4599 cc
	D	36	1.5 t	5035-5070	3620 cc
	E	43	1 t	6082-6124	3620 cc
1920	AA	2	5 t	101001-101003	6969 cc
	A	21	3.5 t	701059-701080	5734 cc
	B	125	2.5 t	501002-501127	4599 cc
	C	76	2 t	401184-401260	4599 cc
	D	81	1.5 t	301071-301152	3620 cc
	E	48	1 t	201125-207173	3620 cc
1921	AA	2	5 t	101003-101004	6969 cc
	A	12	3.5 t	701080-701091	5734 cc
	B	47	2.5 t	501127-501173	4599 cc
	C	3	2 t	401260-401262	4599 cc
	D	29	1.5 t	301152-303180	3620 cc
	E	28	1 t	207173-211200	3620 cc
1922 |H |26 |0.75 t |801005-801030 |3620 cc

Note: The initial digit of each serial number corresponds to load capacity (in thousand pounds), followed by unit identifiers and the vehicle’s serial sequence.

Corbitt’s strategy prioritized a broad product range combined with strong regional manufacturing capabilities; however, financial performance deteriorated after its acquisition, ultimately resulting in the company’s shutdown.