Piedmont Motor Car Company

The Piedmont was produced in a variety of closed and open body styles and was powered by 4-cylinder Lycoming and 6-cylinder Continental engines.[1] The company also made cars for other companies, such as the Alsace, Bush, Norwalk and Lone Star.[2] These were Piedmonts, but fitted with badges, hubcaps and other identification of the company who ordered the cars.[1]

This badge engineering for other companies had a direct impact on the cars actually marketed and sold under the Piedmont name. With the outside orders taking priority, Piedmont dealers in Virginia were sometimes unable to provide a car for customers who placed an order, which gave the make a poor reputation, thus hindering further sales.[1]

In December 1920 the company attempted to increase publicity and sales by advertising in the Lynchburg News ten Model 4-30 and ten Model 6-40 cars for sale to residents of Lynchburg, Campbell, Bedford, Amherst and Appomattox only, with prices reduced by $500 for each car.[2] Sales manager George Hay also persuaded the Lynchburg Police Department to use Piedmont cars, as it would "look better for the company" if they did so.[2]

In anticipation of an ever-increasing flood of orders from outside producers, Piedmont had overstocked its inventory, which with the Depression of 1920-1921 led to the company going into receivership in October 1922.[2] There was over $225,000 worth of parts in stock.[2]

In June 2010 the Virginia Museum of Transportation received a donation of a 1923 Bush touring car, which was built by Piedmont.[3]

• Piedmont Motor Co - a heritage site
• Lynchburg Museum - Story of the Piedmont

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Piedmont (automobile).