Bethlehem Motor Truck Corporation
The Bethlehem Motors Corporation was a manufacturer of tractors, automobiles and trucks in Allentown, Pennsylvania, between 1917 and 1926.[1]
Tractor manufacturing
In 1918 and 1919, the Corporation built the Model 18-36 tractor, which weighed three tons, and was powered by a Beaver 4-cylinder engine with two forward speeds.[1] Standard equipment included a Stromberg carburettor, Bosch magneto and Fedders radiator.[1] The tractor was not a success, probably due to the poor financial position of the company, the crowded tractor market in the United States, and the 1920 agricultural depression.[1]
Automobile manufacturing
In 1920, the Bethlehem Motors Corporation built the 'Ideal' automobile, which was to be sold only outside the United States.[2] The Ideal was a four-seater sedan with a 40 hp engine built by Bethlehem, Timken axles, and was priced at $3,000.[2] The company went into receivership later that year, and all plans to further produce and sell the car were discontinued.[2] New management disposed of the unsold cars for approximately $1,000 each in 1921.[2]
Truck manufacturing
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Truck manufacture began in 1917, with 1+1⁄4-ton trucks (Type A1 [3][4]) powered by Golden, Belknap and Swartz engines, and a 2+1⁄4-ton vehicle (Type B1) using a North American engine.[1] The smaller models cost $1,245; the larger models $1,775. Speeds were between 12 and 18 mph, depending on the engine governor used.[1] Production in 1919 was approximately 3,500.[5] By 1920, all Bethlehem trucks came with electric starter and lights, with the company motto at this time being "Trucks bought today without electric lights will be out of date tomorrow".[1] Despite these new features, business decreased, with the company going into receivership.[5] The last Bethlehem trucks, and the last vehicles of any type manufactured by the Bethlehem Motors Corporation were assembled in 1926.[1] The factory was bought by Hahn and Company in 1927.[5] Bethlehem was also one of the manufacturers of Liberty Trucks for the United States Army during World War I.[6]
Production figures Bethlehem trucks
The pre-assigned serial numbers only indicate the maximum possible production quantity.
| Year | Production figures | Model | Load capacity | Serial number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 | ~ 1000 | A | 1,25 to | 5000 to 6000 |
| 1917 | ~ 1000 | B | 2,25 to | 1000 to 2000 |
| 1918 | ~ 1475 | D | 1,5 to | 6500 to 7975 |
| 1918 | ~ 1350 | E | 2,5 to | 2500 to 3850 |
| 1918 | ~ 410 | F | 3,5 to | 9000 to 9410 |
| 1919 | ↑ | D | 1,5 to | ↑ |
| 1919 | ↑ | E | 2,5 to | ↑ |
| 1919 | ↑ | F | 3,5 to | ↑ |
| 1920 | ~ | K | 1 to | 10000 to ? |
| 1920 | ~ 175 | D-G | 1,5 to | 7976 to 8150 |
| 1920 | ~ 200 | E-H | 2,5 to | 3851 to 4050 |
| 1920 | ~ 90 | F-J | 3,5 to | 9412 to 9501 |
| 1921 | ~ 3000 | G | 2 to | 15000 to 17999 |
| 1921 | ~ 3000 | H | 3 to | 18000 to 20999 |
| 1921 | ~ 3750 | K | 1 to | 10000 to 13750 |
| 1922 | ~ 5000 | K-N | 1 to | 20000 to 24999 |
| 1922 | ~ 5000 | G-N | 2 to | 25000 to 29999 |
| 1922 | ~ 5000 | H-N | 3 to | 30000 to 34999 |
| 1923 | K-N | 1 to | 35000 to | |
| 1923 | G-N | 2 to | ||
| 1923 | H-N | 3 to | ||
| 1924 | K-N | 1 to | ||
| 1924 | G-N | 2 to | ||
| 1924 | L [7] | to | ||
| Sum [8] |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Vossler, Bill (1999). Cars, Trucks, and Buses Made By Tractor Companies. Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 10. ISBN 0873416724.
- ^ a b c d Kimes, Beverly Rae (1996). The Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1805-1942. Iola, IA: Krause Publications. p. 762. ISBN 0873414284.
- ^ "Type A1 / Type B1". Motor trucks of America ... c.1 v.6 1918 &suppl. 1919. 1918-01-01. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ "Type A1 / Type B1". Motor west. 1918-05-01. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
- ^ a b c Mroz, Albert (11 January 2010). American Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles of World War I: Illustrated Histories of 225 Manufacturers. McFarland. pp. 28–. ISBN 978-0-7864-5725-0..
- ^ Mroz, Albert.The Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Trucks and Commercial Vehicles, Iola, WI: Kraus Publications, 1996. pg. 246-7.
- ^ "Bethlehem L". The Commercial car journal v.28 1924-1925 Sep-Feb. 1924-01-01. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ^ "Bethlehem Serial Numbers". Branham automobile reference book, showing in illustrated form the location of motor and serial numbers on all passenger cars and trucks 1923. 1923-01-01. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
External links
- 1919 Bethlehem Motor Truck Corporation advertisement. Vintageproductads.com
