The name Autocar has been around since 1897, but has been solely a truck manufacturer since 1907. Founded in Pittsburgh, PA, the comany relocated to Ardmore, PA, where it stayed until bought by the White Motor Company in 1953, when it was relocated to Exton, PA. White was bought by Volvo in 1991, and Volvo owned the name until it was bough by investors in 2001, becoming Autocar LLC. While owned by Volvo/White-GMC, Autocar became solely a specialist line, consisting of construction-specific models, and specialised refuse haling trucks. Today, Autocar is only involved in the refuse truck business.
During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Autocar made some of the best and best-looking trucks on the road, like the DC75:
This one is a specially-made unit for pulling turnpike doubles in the northeast US:
Here’s a 1953 model with an early integrated sleeper:
An early '50’s model on the west coast:
A late '40’s cabover:
A very-well kept 1947, IMHO, one of the best-looking trucks ever made:
A model popular in the west for doing linehaul work. Love that long hood!
An old wag-n-drag with an overhead sleeper:
By the 1960’s, Autocar was making more special-order units, such as this twin steer wrecker:
But, in the early 80’s, they also tried to become an OTR truck once again, although this is really just a typical White-GMC wearing different badges and spec’d well:
…while, at the same time, selling their popular heavy-duty trucks for construction and mining usages:
Today, Autocar just makes these models:
