White Motor Company Story from Founding to Demise

The White Motor Company had a fascinating history that spanned over a century. Founded in 1909 by Charles R. and Walter L. White, the company started out as a small business in Cleveland, Ohio.

The brothers initially focused on manufacturing trucks and buses, with their first product being a 1-ton truck. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career in the automotive industry.

White Motor Company's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to manufacturing, which included the use of electric starters and hydraulic brakes. These features were revolutionary at the time and helped establish the company as a leader in the industry.

The company's growth and expansion continued throughout the early 20th century, with the introduction of new products and the establishment of a strong distribution network.

The White Motor Company has a rich history that spans over a century. The company was founded by Thomas H. White, who purchased a Locomobile steam car in 1898 and was dissatisfied with its boiler. Rollin, his son, set out to improve the design and developed a revolutionary form of water tube steam generator.

Rollin White patented his steam generator in 1900, which consisted of a series of stacked coils with two novel features that allowed for control of steam generation and temperature. This innovation led to the creation of the White steamer, which operated with superheated steam. The White steamer was one of the first vehicles to take advantage of steam's properties at higher temperatures.

The White Motor Company continued to grow and expand its product line, with Rollin becoming more interested in agricultural tractors. He developed designs for tractors derived from standard White truck parts, which eventually led to the founding of Cleveland Motor Plow, later known as Cletrac tractor. Cletrac was later purchased by Oliver Tractor Co, which in turn was bought by White in 1960.

The White Motor Company saw significant success with its heavy machines, which saw service around the world during World War I. The company remained in the truck industry for decades, producing a range of vehicles that were reliable and efficient. In 1979, White was facing financial struggles and had to sell its tractor division, White Farm Equipment, to a Texas firm called TIC.

The White steam car was a pioneering vehicle that redefined the automotive industry. The first group of fifty cars were completed in October 1900, but none were offered to the public until April 1901 to allow for thorough testing. The cars were being offered by the automobile department of the sewing machine company, White, which couldn't afford to diminish the reputation of the parent company by introducing an untested product.

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In 1905, it became necessary to separate the automobile department from its parent company to accommodate the growth of the business and to physically separate them, as a fire in one could ruin both operations. This separation allowed the White Motor Company to continue to innovate and expand its product line, producing vehicles that were reliable and efficient. The company continued to show steam cars in their catalogues as late as 1912, with a total of 9122 White steam-powered cars built.

The White steam car reentered popular culture in 2023 when comedian and classic car collector Jay Leno suffered third-degree burns while repairing his 1907 White steam car in his garage. This incident highlights the importance of safety when working with steam-powered vehicles, which require careful handling and maintenance to ensure safe operation.

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White Motor Company produced a wide range of trucks, from light delivery to semi-trucks, but after World War II, they decided to focus on large trucks. They even acquired several other truck manufacturing companies, including Sterling, Autocar, REO, and Diamond T.

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The company's trucks were known for their quality and reliability, and one of them even starred in the 1949 film White Heat. White Motor Company's trucks were so popular that they accounted for 10% of all trucks made in the US at one point.

White Motor Company also designed and produced military vehicles, including the M3 Scout Car, the standard United States Army reconnaissance vehicle at the start of World War II. They also built other military vehicles, such as the M2, M3, M13, and M16 half-tracks.

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White Motor Company was a leading manufacturer of trucks in the US, producing all sizes of trucks from light delivery to semi-trucks. They sold 10 percent of all trucks made in the US and acquired several truck manufacturing companies, including Sterling, Autocar, REO, and Diamond T.

The company's peak market penetration was in the 1940s, with their substantial gasoline engine tractors moving a large part of the tractor-trailer fleet. This was likely due to their innovative designs and ability to adapt to changing market needs.

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White Motor Company produced trucks under the Autocar nameplate following its acquisition, and Diamond T and REO Motor Car Company became the Diamond REO division, which was discontinued in 1995.

Here are some notable White Motor Company truck models:

In the 1970s, White started the Western Star division to sell trucks on the west coast. This move marked a significant shift in the company's focus and expansion into new markets.

White Motor Company was insolvent by 1980, despite efforts to turn the company around. The US assets were acquired by AB Volvo, while the Canadian assets were purchased by two energy-related companies based in Calgary, Alberta.

The White Motor Company produced buses that were specifically designed for National Parks in the western US, starting in 1936. These buses, known as the Model 706, were equipped with roll-back canvas convertible tops and were used in seven National Parks, including Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.

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The buses were originally produced by White, but later refurbished by Ford and TransGlobal in 2000-2002 for Glacier National Park, and by TransGlobal in 2007 for Yellowstone National Park. Today, Glacier National Park operates 33 of its original 35 buses, while Yellowstone operates eight.

One of the most famous White buses is the one driven by Egg Shen in the film Big Trouble in Little China, which was later purchased by the Skagway Street Car Company and restored for tours in Yellowstone. The character "Ol Jammer" from the Disney animated film Planes: Fire and Rescue is also based on the White 706 bus.

In addition to the National Parks touring buses, White also produced buses for intercity service, including the 700 series, which was available in 30-and-35-foot lengths. The longer model was produced through 1953, with an update in 1948 as the 1100 series.

San Francisco's Muni transit system also used White buses, including the Model 784, which was delivered in 1938-39 and cost $10,477.53 each. These buses were originally painted pumpkin orange with black trim and served Muni bus routes that fed the backbone streetcar network.

Three of these "Baby Whites" were kept on to ply the path to Coit Tower, which they did faithfully until 1975. One of these buses, number 042, was comprehensively restored by Muni crafts workers in 2012 and now serves as an ambassador to the community at parades and events.

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The White Motor Company had a fascinating start in the automobile industry. Their first automobile was chain-drive, tiller-steered, and run by a two-cylinder, steam-powered engine mounted under the floorboards.

The White family created the White Motor Company as a separate entity from their sewing machine business in 1902. They continued to make passenger cars until 1918.

Only about 150 White steam cars remain from the 10,000 that were made. This is a testament to the durability of these vintage vehicles.

Here's a list of some of the notable models produced by the White Motor Company:

The White Motor Company had a fascinating history in automobile manufacturing. They started producing cars in 1901, after their father's successful sewing machine business took off in 1876.

Their first automobile was a chain-drive, tiller-steered vehicle powered by a two-cylinder, steam engine. This was a bold move, considering the industry was still in its infancy.

The White family created the White Motor Company as a separate entity from their sewing machine business in 1901. This marked the beginning of their foray into automobile manufacturing.

Today, only about 150 White steam cars remain from the 10,000 that were made. That's a staggering number, and it's a testament to the quality of their vehicles.

Here's a list of some of the notable White Motor Company cars:

The Demise and Aftermath of White Motor Company was a long and winding road. White Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1980, case number 80-13361 in the Northern District of Ohio on September 4 of that year.

The company's decline was a gradual one, with sales dropping in the 1960s and several attempts at merging with other companies, including White Consolidated Industries, which was eventually approved by the federal government.

In 1981, Volvo acquired most of White's assets, marking the beginning of the end for the company. Two energy-related companies, Bow Valley Resource Services and NovaCorp, purchased the Canadian assets, including the Kelowna, British Columbia plant, and the Western Star nameplate and product range.

White's troubles continued, and the company's lighter range was a major limitation, with only 13,330 units built in 1978. The company tried to link up with European manufacturers, but to no avail.

Here's a brief timeline of White Motor Company's demise:

In the aftermath of White Motor Company's demise, the White Farm Equipment brand would continue on, albeit in a much reduced capacity. In 2001, White Farm Equipment stopped making tractors and only made planters.