National Motor Vehicle Company
| Company type | Automobile Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Founder | Arthur C. Newby |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Consolidated |
| Successor | Associated Motor Industries |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana, |
| Products | Automobiles |
Production output | 23,558 (1901-1924) |
The National Motor Vehicle Company was an American car manufacturer headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, active from 1900 until 1924. Established by entrepreneur Arthur C. Newby, who also played a key role in founding the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the company initially focused on electric automobiles before transitioning to gasoline-powered vehicles. National produced a variety of passenger cars equipped with four, six, and twelve-cylinder engines and gained recognition for its competitive racing automobiles. In 1923, National became part of Associated Motor Industries, which discontinued operations the following year.
Production models
National’s inaugural vehicle was the Style A electric runabout introduced in 1900, featuring tiller steering, a rear-mounted 9 horsepower motor, and a four-speed gearbox. By 1903, the firm shifted to internal combustion powertrains, employing four-cylinder Rutenber engines and phasing out electric cars by 1905.
The company adopted a distinctive circular radiator design in 1905 as a hallmark of its brand identity. In 1906, National introduced one of the earliest six-cylinder engines available in the industry, continuing its production until the company’s closure.
Production peaked at more than 1,800 units during 1915. The following year, National unveiled the Highway Twelve model equipped with a proprietary twelve-cylinder engine priced above $1,900 and simultaneously rebranded itself as the National Motor and Vehicle Corporation. Notably, their externally sourced six-cylinder Continental "Red Seal" engine carried a higher price tag than the internally developed twelve-cylinder unit.
Rising costs during World War I inflation led to increased prices that positioned National in a less accessible market segment. By 1920, the Highway Six and Twelve models were discontinued and replaced by the Sextet model featuring a Continental side-valve six-cylinder engine upgraded by National engineers with overhead valve technology.
Merger
In 1922, National merged with Dixie Flyer and Jackson to create Associated Motor Industries, which was renamed National Motors Corporation in 1923. Production declined sharply thereafter, and vehicle manufacturing ended by 1924.
Sporting success
National earned considerable acclaim in early American motorsport events, achieving 84 victories, 48 second-place finishes, and 30 third-place results across numerous road races, speedway contests, hill climbs, and dirt track competitions during 1911. A notable highlight includes a National six-cylinder car winning both the Elgin National Road Races and Illinois Trophy that year. In 1912, Joe Dawson piloted a National stock car to victory at the Indianapolis 500 with an average speed of 78.7 mph—the only stock car ever to capture this prestigious race.
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Sources
- Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly (January 1904)
- Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950.