Apex Motor Car Company, based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is remembered for producing the innovative Ace automobile from 1920 to 1922. Known for its pioneering use of the Guy Disc-Valve motor, the Ace demonstrated early 20th-century engineering ambition, even though only 256 cars were ever built.
After facing production difficulties and a short run, Apex was absorbed by the American Motor Truck Company, which shifted focus to bus body manufacturing. Read on to discover how this forgotten automaker left a lasting impression.
Key Takeaways
- Apex Motor Car Company, founded in 1919 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, produced the innovative Ace automobile until ceasing production in 1922, with only 256 units built.
- The company’s standout feature was the Guy Disc-Valve motor, designed by Fred M. Guy and Otto W. Heinz, a unique rotary-style valve system tested in Hackett prototypes before being adopted in Apex vehicles.
- In 1921, Apex replaced the disc-valve engine with a more conventional Herschell-Spillman straight-six, reflecting a shift toward reliability and market appeal.
- Apex introduced a diverse model lineup—including the Model H Tourer, Model F Pup, and Model C Combat—with prices ranging from $1,295 to $3,150.
- After facing production difficulties and reorganization, Apex was sold in 1922 to the American Motor Truck Company, which attempted bus body manufacturing—though no known Ace cars survive today.
A Brief History of Apex Motor Car Company
Founded in 1919, the Apex Motor Car Company began operations with the goal of producing high-performance automobiles featuring novel engineering solutions. Located in Ypsilanti, Apex introduced the Ace, a vehicle powered by the Guy Disc-Valve motor, which attracted attention for its technical innovation.
In 1921, the company was reorganized as the Apex Motor Corporation and expanded its model offerings to include the Model H Tourer, Model F Pup, Model L Scout, and Model C Combat. Vehicle prices ranged from $1,295 to $3,150, aligning with premium models of the era.
However, despite the buzz surrounding its disc-valve engine, Apex encountered persistent production and financial challenges. In 1922, the company was sold to the American Motor Truck Company, which briefly explored bus body production. Apex did not produce electric vehicles, nor did it participate in the emerging EV market of the 1920s.
No known Ace automobiles survive today, a fact that has intrigued local historians and institutions such as the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, which continues to seek documentation and physical remnants of these rare vehicles.
Interestingly, General Motors developed the first fully automatic transmission, a significant innovation in the automotive industry, although it was not part of Apex’s production.
The Innovative Guy Disc-Valve Motor
The most distinctive feature of the early Ace automobiles was the Guy Disc-Valve engine, developed by Fred M. Guy and Otto W. Heinz. Unlike conventional poppet-valve engines, this design used rotating discs to manage intake and exhaust functions. The result was a quieter, more compact, and potentially more efficient engine.
The disc-valve system had originally been tested in the Hackett automobile (which never reached large-scale production) before being adopted by Apex. Early Ace models were built with this engine, highlighting the company’s emphasis on innovation.
However, the design presented engineering and manufacturing complexities. In mid-1921, Apex replaced the disc-valve engine with a more conventional and reliable Herschell-Spillman straight-six, which powered later versions of the Model H Tourer.
Model Variants and Specifications
Apex Motor Corporation produced a variety of models from 1920 through 1922, targeting the touring and light car market. Some of the most notable variants included:
- Model H Tourer: Initially offered with the Guy Disc-Valve engine, later updated with a Herschell-Spillman six-cylinder.
- Model F Pup: A compact car emphasizing practicality.
- Model C Combat: A sportier model inspired by performance-focused vehicles of the time, such as the Kissel Gold Bug.
- Model L Scout: Another touring variant with stylish lines and enhanced engine options.
Prices for these vehicles ranged from $1,295 to $3,150, positioning them above entry-level vehicles but below ultra-luxury models. Some later designations—such as the “35-70”—may have been used in promotional material but are not found in surviving factory records.
Production Challenges and Transition
Despite innovative designs and a diverse model lineup, Apex struggled with limited production capacity, engineering complications, and financial instability. Only 256 Ace vehicles were ever produced—a modest figure even by early 20th-century standards.
The switch to the Herschell-Spillman engine in 1921 indicated the company’s effort to simplify manufacturing and appeal to a wider market. But these adjustments came too late. In 1922, Apex ceased car production and was acquired by the American Motor Truck Company, which briefly explored the manufacturing of bus bodies under new management.
Plans for further development—including partnerships with the Guy Disc Valve Motor Company and Gray Motor Corp.—were abandoned following the sale and company reorganization.
Legacy and Historical Recognition
Although its production run was brief, Apex Motor Car Company occupies a unique place in early American automotive history. Its bold decision to implement the Guy Disc-Valve engine placed it at the forefront of experimental engine design, even if commercial success proved elusive.
Historical references by authors such as G.N. Georgano and Beverly Rae Kimes ensure that Apex’s contributions have not been forgotten. The lack of surviving vehicles has only deepened interest among collectors and historians. Efforts by the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum to document the company’s history have kept its story alive.
Unlike some contemporaries that were marred by mechanical flaws or safety issues, the Apex cars—while rare—were known for sound engineering and performance potential during their brief window of production.
Despite known safety issues in other historical automotive cases, the Apex Motor Car Company managed to avoid such pitfalls during its brief operation.
Notable Contributions to Early Automotive Industry
Despite producing just 256 vehicles, the Apex Motor Car Company contributed meaningfully to early automotive development:
- Introduced the Guy Disc-Valve motor, a technically advanced alternative to traditional valve mechanisms.
- Demonstrated adaptability by transitioning to the more mainstream Herschell-Spillman straight-six.
- Produced a well-balanced model lineup, from compact cars to upscale touring and sport variants.
- Left a lasting mark in automotive history literature, even without surviving vehicles.
Apex’s engineering ambition and adaptability continue to earn it a respected—if obscure—spot in the annals of American motoring.
