Read this and thought it was interesting.
#1
09-26-2009, 05:43 AM
Read this and thought it was interesting.
Corbitt trucks' role in Henderson history (NC)
by DAVID IRVIN, http://www.hendersondispatch.com
Henderson is not known as a competitor with Detroit, but it has its own place in automotive history.
From the early 1900s to 1954, the Corbitt Company, located in Henderson, manufactured trucks for the military, bus companies, the state of North Carolina and moving companies.
Richard Corbitt built buggies in Henderson, beginning in 1899. In 1907 he began building automobiles and continued until 1912, when he decided that building trucks would be more profitable. He was right. His company always made money, except when it was building automobiles.
The shift to trucks was well timed. When the United States entered World War I, trucks became vital to the war effort. Corbitt supplied 4,000 trucks to the army and navy during the war.
After the war, Corbitt continued building trucks, but now for a variety of commercial purposes.
When World War II began, trucks were again in demand. During the war, Corbitt built 5,500 6-ton trucks for the army, making them to meet military specifications. When a steel cab was needed, for example, Corbitt discontinued wooden frame cabs.
When the war ended, Corbitt began making commercial trucks, freight trailers, buses and tractors.
In 1952, Corbitt was over 70 years old without any family member interested in continuing the company as a family business. He sold the company to United Industrial Syndicate of New York. Two years later, the last of the Corbitt trucks were built in Henderson. An era was over.
But automotive aficianados will be able to experience a little bit of Henderson’s history when they inspect restored Corbitt trucks being displayed during the Show, Shine, **** & Dine event in Henderson during the weekend of Oct. 16-18.
John
by DAVID IRVIN, http://www.hendersondispatch.com
Henderson is not known as a competitor with Detroit, but it has its own place in automotive history.
From the early 1900s to 1954, the Corbitt Company, located in Henderson, manufactured trucks for the military, bus companies, the state of North Carolina and moving companies.
Richard Corbitt built buggies in Henderson, beginning in 1899. In 1907 he began building automobiles and continued until 1912, when he decided that building trucks would be more profitable. He was right. His company always made money, except when it was building automobiles.
The shift to trucks was well timed. When the United States entered World War I, trucks became vital to the war effort. Corbitt supplied 4,000 trucks to the army and navy during the war.
After the war, Corbitt continued building trucks, but now for a variety of commercial purposes.
When World War II began, trucks were again in demand. During the war, Corbitt built 5,500 6-ton trucks for the army, making them to meet military specifications. When a steel cab was needed, for example, Corbitt discontinued wooden frame cabs.
When the war ended, Corbitt began making commercial trucks, freight trailers, buses and tractors.
In 1952, Corbitt was over 70 years old without any family member interested in continuing the company as a family business. He sold the company to United Industrial Syndicate of New York. Two years later, the last of the Corbitt trucks were built in Henderson. An era was over.
But automotive aficianados will be able to experience a little bit of Henderson’s history when they inspect restored Corbitt trucks being displayed during the Show, Shine, **** & Dine event in Henderson during the weekend of Oct. 16-18.
John
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