 The Car Ahead | |
| Formerly | Seidel Buggy Company |
|---|---|
| Company type | Incorporation (business) |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1909; 117 years ago (1909) |
| Founder | George Seidel |
| Defunct | 1924; 102 years ago (1924) |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Richmond, Indiana, |
| Products | Automobiles |
Production output | 5,282 (1910-1924) |
ThePilot Motor Car Company ofRichmond, Indiana, was an American automobile manufacturer founded in 1909 and headed by George Seidel, of the Seidel Buggy Company.
Initially, the cars were built in the Seidel Buggy factory while a stand-alone factory was constructed across town. The origin of the makes name is believed to have come from Seidel's desire to become a river boat pilot.[1] They were marketed under theadvertising slogan "The Car Ahead".[1] The new factory, once completed, had an initial capacity of 500 cars per year, though in some later years, production approached 1,000. The firm was one of the first in the automotive field to hire women, though mainly forupholstery and curtain work.[1]
At first,4-cylinderTeetor-Hartley engines were the motive force of the cars. In 1913, a6-cylinder engine was added to the line-up. From 1915 to 1924, only six-cylinders were offered, except for 1916, when aV8 engine made a one-year appearance as an engine choice. In 1913, the six-cylinder car cost $2,500, as opposed to the mid-priced $1,500 to$1,800 (equivalent to $57,267 in 2024) four-cylinder cars. In 1920, a largerHerschell-Spillman six was added. ASportster model was introduced in the summer of 1922, with barrel headlights and no running boards.[1]
Pilots were durable cars, and was regularly exported. Seidel received a letter in the 1940s from a car dealer in South America, who inquired if any Pilots were still available, and their price. Seidel was proud supporter of his hometown industries, as evidenced by the cars he drove during his lifetime: first, aRichmond; then a Pilot, and finally, aDavis.[1]
The firm took over the localLorraine automobile manufacturer, but that could not help it survive long beyond the1920-21 depression. A few Lorraine hearses were produced before that marque was discontinued. The Pilot Motor Car Company was forced into receivership in 1923 by what Seidel described as "cut-throat tactics of Eastern money interests."[1] The last Pilots were produced in early 1924, and the factory was then sold to a local businessman for $28,500.[1]
