Rapid Motor logo.
The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company was founded by Max and Morris Grabowsky in 1902.
Rapid Motor logo.
Max and Morris Grabowsky began building American Trucks in 1900. In 1905 The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company was acquired by Albert North and Harry Hamilton. Albert North and Harry Hamilton also owned The Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works. This company produced an American Automobile called the Pontiac in 1907 and 1908.
The Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. was the predecessor of the GMC truck. In 1909, General Motors acquired the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company of Pontiac, Michigan. The trade name GMC trucks first appeared in 1912.
Text from a 1906 ad.
"WE DELIVER THE GOODS".
The "RAPID" TRUCK and DELIVERY WAGONS are designed and built solely for commercial purposes.
Each part is made to meet the requirements of Delivery and Trucking Service, consequently our vehicles give infinitely greater service and satisfaction than pleasure car chasses with delivery bodies or remodelled Touring Cars.
Since the Rapid Motor Wagon was first announced nearly two years ago, there has been a flood of orders far exceeding our capacity. This steadily increasing demand has been due solely to the merits of the car. The "Rapid" is a car for business, built in a business like way.
Owing to this great call for a reliable, trust-worthy delivery car, we have just completed our mammoth new factory, at Pontiac, Mich., and from now we will be prepared to live strictly up to our slogan —" We deliver the goods."
PRICES: One-ton wagon, $1400; 1 1-2 tons, $1800.
Every car fully guaranteed for one year. The illustration shows only one of our many styles of bodies. Size and style you require will be furnished. For full information about our cars, write to C. N. HENRY, Sales Manager, Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, Pontiac Michigan.
Rapid Motor logo.
1910 Rapid Motor Vehicle Company factory. (source: National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library)
Stacks of beams, pipes and belts in corridor of Rapid Motor Vehicle Company factory in 1910. (source: National Automotive History Collection, Detroit Public Library)
1906 Rapid Motor vehicle ad.
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