The Clydesdale Motor Truck Company

This is the story of the Clydesdale Motor Truck Company, which existed in Clyde, Ohio, from 1917 until 1939. The story of the Clydesdale Motor Truck Company provides a window into the early truck manufacturing industry and international trucking landscape, just as it was giving rise to the modern industry we recognise today.

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This is the story of the Clydesdale Motor Truck Company, which existed in Clyde, Ohio, from 1917 until 1939. As veterans of the auto industry, Clydesdale engineers worked closely with London General Omnibus Company engineers to develop what they described as the ""perfect"" truck chassis. Shipped from Clyde, Ohio, Clydesdale trucks became internationally famous during World War I, and earned the distinctive title, ""Liberty Truck of Europe."" Following the war, Clydesdale trucks were centre stage in many national motor truck shows and motor truck tours, as trucks gained popularity among American farmers and business owners. The Clydesdale truck's patented ""Driver Under the Hood"" engine governor, which allowed for speed increases, as well as decreases-essentially modern cruise control technology-wowed drivers and industry leaders alike. In the 1930's, the Clydesdale Motor Truck Company became one of the first major manufacturers of diesel engine trucks, and developed what they described as ""the first completely diesel"" truck chassis. The story of the Clydesdale Motor Truck Company provides a window into the early truck manufacturing industry and international trucking landscape, just as it was giving rise to the modern industry we recognise today.