Federal Motor Truck Company
| File:Federal Motor Truck Company Logo, 1955.svg | |
| Formerly | Bailey Motor Truck Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing, automotive |
| Predecessor | Stewart Motor Company (since 1942) |
| Founded | May 1910 |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Sold to NAPCO |
| Successor | NAPCO |
| Products | Trucks |
The Federal Motor Truck Company was a Detroit-based American manufacturer specializing in trucks. Established in 1910 under the name Bailey Motor Truck Company by Martin L. Pulcher, the enterprise grew to become a significant presence in the automotive sector. Pulcher later went on to create the Oakland Motor Car Company, which introduced the Pontiac marque as part of General Motors' companion brand initiative in 1926.
History
Originally operating as Bailey Motor Truck Company, the business transitioned to the Federal name and set up production facilities on Leavitt Street in Southwest Detroit. At its height, the factory employed nearly 700 personnel and manufactured up to 3,500 trucks annually, positioning itself chiefly against competitors like Diamond T. The company sourced engines primarily from suppliers such as Continental, Waukesha, and Hercules.
During the 1930s, Federal's sales figures showed an upward trajectory, rising from 2,190 units sold in 1935 to 2,930 in 1936. Although sales declined to 1,370 vehicles in 1938, they recovered somewhat to 1,837 by 1939. The company also offered delivery trucks under the Federal Knight brand, which utilized engines from Willys-Knight. Unlike many independent truck makers of the era, Federal manufactured its own cabs, available in both standard and deluxe versions.
In 1942, Federal expanded its operations through the acquisition of the Stewart Motor Company. Following World War II, the company enjoyed robust sales but was acquired by Fawick Motors. Due to Fawick's limited manufacturing experience, control soon passed to NAPCO, which subsequently shut down the Detroit plant and transferred production equipment to Minneapolis.
Confronted with economic difficulties and uncertain future prospects for the brand, NAPCO discontinued the Federal nameplate in 1959 and ended all operations by 1960.
Model types
Federal offered a variety of trucks with payload capacities spanning from 1.25 to 4.75 tons, available in multiple wheelbase lengths to cater to diverse market demands.
Payload between 1.25 and 1.5 tons:
- Type 10-128, 10-143, 10-152 (wheelbases ranging from 128" to 152")
Payload between 1.5 and 1.75 tons:
- Type 11-128, 11-143, 11-152
Payload between 2.5 and 2.75 tons:
- Type 15-136, 15-147, 15-156, 15-168, 15-181
Payload between 2.75 and 3.25 tons:
- Type 18-136, 18-147, 18-156, 18-168, 18-181
Payload between 3.25 and 3.75 tons:
- Type 20 series (wheelbases from 136" up to 195"), including diesel-powered variants labeled Type 20DI
Payload between 3.5 and 4 tons:
- Type 25 series (147" to 195" wheelbase), with diesel options identified as Type 25DI
Payload between 4 and 4.5 tons:
- Type 28 series (147" through 195"), also available with diesel engines (Type 28DI)
Payload between 4.25 and 4.75 tons:
- Type 29 series (147" to195"), featuring diesel models designated as Type 29DI
The adoption of diesel engines across numerous models underscores Federal's emphasis on enhancing fuel economy and operational performance for commercial vehicles.
For passenger transport applications, Federal produced bus models including:
- B15-156 (capacity for approximately 18–20 passengers)
- B15-181 (seating for around 22–24 passengers)
- B20-181 and B20-195 (accommodating about 24–26 passengers), both available with diesel powertrains
- B25-195 and B25-207 (seating capacity of roughly26–30 passengers), also offered with diesel engine options
This extensive range of trucks and buses reflects the company's commitment to providing versatile transportation solutions tailored to freight hauling as well as passenger conveyance markets.
Military trucks
Federal initiated the manufacture of military trucks for the United States Army in 1918. Between 1933 and 1945, the company broadened its offerings to encompass tank carriers, dump trucks, and robust recovery vehicles, supplying more than 10,000 units to American military forces. This output played a crucial role in establishing Federal's prominence within the military vehicle manufacturing sector during those years.