Solved: GTE 149 - Small Truck Prototype by Captain James V. Martin / Martin Aeroplane Co.

[gte4289]

Please identify this vehicle for a point.

[gte4289]

Experts?

[kwgibbs]

Is it American?

[gte4289]

Is it American?

Yes

[kwgibbs]

Was it built by a well known person?

[gte4289]

Was it built by a well known person?

No

[kwgibbs]

Is it amphibious?

[gte4289]

Is it amphibious?

No

[kwgibbs]

Does it have jeep parts?

[gte4289]

Does it have jeep parts?

No

[kwgibbs]

Does this vehicle have any special function?

[gte4289]

Does this vehicle have any special function?

Not that I am aware of.

[kwgibbs]

Was it based on anyother car or truck brand?

[gte4289]

Was it based on anyother car or truck brand?

No (but likely powered by a production engine of some sort)

[gte4289]

Up to the Pros. Doubt it will last long here!

[Wendax]

I've seen that one before. Is it American?

[oko94]

Homemade or built by a company ?

[gte4289]

I've seen that one before. Is it American?

Closely related to a previous AP puzzle vehicle.

Homemade or built by a company ?

By a company.

[Wendax]

It seems to be the sole running prototype ever built of the stillborn Martin truck.

[kwgibbs]

I believe its the martin 1/4-ton truck,its body was mostly wood and it had FWD 61 BHP 4.The vehicle weight was 750 lbs and could carry 500lb payload. Two prototypes were built?

[gte4289]

It seems to be the sole running prototype ever built of the stillborn Martin truck.

I believe its the martin 1/4-ton truck,its body was mostly wood and it had FWD 61 BHP 4.The vehicle weight was 750 lbs and could carry 500lb payload. Two prototypes were built?

Sorry kwgibbs, but I think Wendax got to it first, even without the added detail.

This is what I know about Captain James V. Martin and this prototype truck:

19??: Forms the Martin Aeroplane Co.; successfully patents and sells landing gear and other aircraft components.

1922: Forms the Martin Motor Co., Springfield, MA; produces the Scootmobile under this company name.

192?: Creates a concept for a small car (called the 'Dart') and a small, unnamed truck.
1926: Enlists engineer Miles H. Carpenter to develop and build the Dart.
1926-29: Carpenter constructs a total of three Darts.

1929: Partners with C. A. Warbeck to found Martin Truck Corp. With Warbeck in control, the company plans to build a truck factory in Sayre, PA. This plan is ultimately rejected by the city.

2009: The puzzle photograph and accompanying documents surface in New Jersey. The photo shows a small truck wearing a 1940s NJ license plate. The documents indicate that the truck is a running prototype developed by the Martin Aeroplane Co., Garden City, NY.

I think a likely scenario is:

• City of Sayre, PA rejects plan for new factory;
• Worldwide economic depression hits (1929) making it impossible to continue;
• Martin and Warbeck abandon the plan, dissolve Martin Truck Corp, and go their separate ways.
• Post-war economy spurs Martin to take another go at the small truck idea. (His aviation business may have even profited from the war.)
• Martin builds a running prototype under the name of his existing company. (kwgibbs mentions two prototypes, but I haven't seen a source to corroborate this.)