Autocar Type U

1933 — 1937. 1st generation

In 1933, Autocar presented a completely new range an “engine-under-the-seat” trucks -Type U. It was equipped with the famous six-cylinder Autocar Blue Streak engine with a power of 84-101 hp. Autocar reminded potential customers that the “Engine-Under-the-Seat models are from 5 to 7 feet shorter than conventional trucks of the same capacity; yet they sacrifice nothing in sturdiness, power, or speed that present day standards require.”

Type U models offered with 89- to 175-inch wheelbase. The cab, identified as a “special Ironclad cab”, was equipped with side curtains rather than crank operated windows. The rear-hinged doors provided easier cab egress for the driver.

Additional 3000 pounds (1.36 t) could be added to its payload comparing with conventional model. The bumper-to-back-of-the-cab dimension of all cabs was 70.5 inches. Cab width from fender-edge to fender-edge was 88.25 inches (2.24 m).

According to Autocar sales material, improved engine accessibility was another of the seven reasons to purchase the Type U: “In designing Engine-Under-the-Seat Autocars, expert attention was given to the accessibility of the engine. There must be no difficulty, Autocar engineers learned, in getting at any part of the motor at any time.

The design resulting from this knowledge is as ingenious as it is successful; and it is no exaggeration to say that the engines in these new Autocars are literally more accessible than those in conventional motor trucks.”

So, all operations on the engines in the Type U Autocars can be easily performed by mechanics from two convenient locations, one in the cab and the other standing on the floor between the frame and the side of the cab. Type U had a vacuum boosted operated, Lockheed hydraulically operated brakes on the front wheels and Autocar’s mechanically operated brakes on the rear wheels.

The whole Engine-Under-the-Seat Type U range consisted of:

• 3 ton Model UD (84 hp engine, 97-145 in. wheelbase)
• 3.5 ton Model UDF (84 hp engine, 127-145 in. wheelbase)
• 4 ton Model UN (94 hp engine, 96-163 in. wheelbase)
• 5 ton Model UNF (94 hp engine, 128-163 in. wheelbase)
• 5 ton Model US (94 hp engine, 109 in. wheelbase)
• 6 ton Model UT (101 hp engine, 128-163 in. wheelbase)
• 8.5 ton Model UTE (101 hp engine, 145-163 in. wheelbase).

Predecessor: Autocar Type XXI / XXVI / XXVII

Related models:
Autocar Type U military versions

Brochures & Catalogs

1935 — 1952. 2nd generation

While continuing to produce the “Engine-Under-the-Seat” cab design introduced in 1933, Autocar began to produce a new style cab in 1935 for its lighter-weight U Models. Lately, this cab fully replaced the old type.

Originally the range included the next models:

• UD (3.5-11.5 tons, 85 hp)
• UN (5.5-15.5 tons, 97 hp, except UNFT – 108 hp)
• UT (7.5-15 tons, 108 hp, except UTT – 124 hp)
• US (dumper, 6-8.5 tons, 108 hp).

In 1937, for the UTR was introduced uncharacteristic for Autocar indexing – models with different capacity and engine power were called from 1UTR to 5UTR.

By 1940, the model indexation of Autocar trucks was changed. The index included the letter designating the type of the vehicle: C – for conventional trucks and U – for trucks with the “engine under the seat” layout, as well as digital index indicating the weighting parameters and engine of the truck.

Thus, the U-type became U-60, U-70, U-80 and U-90. U-60 with GVW of 26,000 kg was equipped with 89 hp engine. U-70 had a GVW of 28,000 kg and a 110 hp engine. U-80 with GVW of 30,000 kg was equipped with more powerful 116 hp engine. U-90 with GVW of 38000 kg had under the cab the most powerful 127 hp engine. Virtually unchanged the U-type was produced till begin of 50s.