There is no mistaking the sight of an American Underslung. The sporting and innovative design, built by the American Motor Car Company of Indianapolis, has made the American Underslung a car that has been coveted by collectors for decades. The brainchild of designer Fred Tone, it features the front and rear axle placement above the frame rails, creating a low and sporty profile. An exceptionally large set of wheels provided enough ground clearance for the low-slung body to negotiate the rudimentary road conditions of its era.

The low center of gravity not only resulted in superior handling but also created a strikingly low and aggressive profile that is as exciting to view today as when it was introduced. Straddling the chassis is a powerful 476.5 cid, L-head engine producing 50/60 hp, shifted through a four-speed manual gearbox. It was not until 1911 that the American Underslung’s performance was matched by the likes of the Mercer Raceabout and later the Stutz Bearcat. With its exceptional power and superb cornering capabilities, the American Underslung could be considered an early sporting car, long before the term was coined.

The history of this American Underslung can be traced to the 1940s, when chassis 1427 was part of Lindley Bothwell’s collection in Southern California. Mr. Bothwell was a pioneer in the car-collecting realm, as he saved and preserved rare and significant cars long before others did, starting before WWII.

Mr. Bothwell sold the American Underslung in the late 1940s to another luminary car collector, D. Cameron Peck. Mr. Peck was heir to a dairy fortune and a passionate collector of great early cars, accumulating a world-famous collection that included Bugatti Royales, Grand Prix Mercedes, and an SSJ Duesenberg.

When Mr. Peck started to downsize his collection, he liquidated his cars in a series of now-legendary auctions held between 1949 and 1952. At a 1951 auction, John Wallerich of Seattle purchased the 1908 Underslung and four other cars, including a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and a McFarlan. Mr. Wallerich kept the American Underslung for over 30 years before passing it to Richie Clyne, another noted collector and a Brass Era enthusiast.

In 2014, chassis 1427 was exhibited at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it was part of the largest gathering of American Underslung automobiles ever assembled. It was around this time that Sam and Emily Mann purchased this beautiful example and added it to their incredible stable of fine automobiles.

This exceptional example of an early model American Underslung is wonderfully original, still possessing its original handsome roadster coachwork, including the single rear seat, often lightly referred to as a “mother-in-law seat.” The oversized wood-spoke wheels and brass trim enhance the charming patina of this amazing car. Its originality, striking appearance, and overall quality condition are a testament to the careful and proper stewardship this important piece of automotive history has enjoyed over the years.

While under the care of the Mann collection, a new set of wooden wheels has been fabricated for this Underslung. Operating this machine is bound to be thrilling, much as it was over 100 years ago. The powerful 50/60 hp engine is capable of propelling this turn-of-the-century car to speeds in excess of 60 mph, double that of most cars built at the time.

Of the estimated 27 American Underslungs that are known to survive, only four are early large displacement roadsters built between 1906–1908, making the example offered here a very rare automobile indeed. This impressive 1908 Underslung represents the height of American engineering, power, and style of the era, wonderfully preserved to provide pride and enjoyment to the next caretaker of this significant early automotive treasure.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled by its engine number.