For many years, the American car scene was dominated by Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. But in 1967 that all changed with the introduction of a new company called Baldwin-Motion. Founded by two friends, Alain Bertoni and George Baldwin, this California-based company quickly established itself as a leader in high-performance vehicles.
Their cars were often featured at drag races around the country because they were some of the fastest on the market. Yet despite their success, they declared bankruptcy only six years later.
Features That Made Their Modifications Unique And Popular
They were best known for their powerful engines, which they usually modified by adding more cylinders. This meant they could get more horsepower out of each engine. For example, the Baldwin-Motion Super Stock 440 had a better ratio of horsepower to cubic inches than the Chrysler 426 Hemi did. They also often added improved suspensions and brakes, aerodynamic improvements, and better tires.
With Baldwin-Motion’s two partners being Alain Bertoni and George Baldwin, you can see why their cars stood out in a crowd. Bertoni was the chief designer at the company, while Baldwin served as its commercial director. Together they were one dynamic duo who shaped an industry that had previously been ruled by three major players – Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler.
Why Did They Go Out Of Business?
Unfortunately, Baldwin-Motion went out of business in the early seventies. They had a good run while they were around, but it just wasn’t enough to keep them afloat.
There are many reasons why they went under. For one thing, Americans were getting more practical – their interest in high-performance cars was dwindling at the time. This came shortly after OPEC decided to create an oil embargo against America. This led to gas shortages across the country.
It was also clear that Japanese automakers like Honda and Toyota could do everything Baldwin-Motion did for far cheaper prices – making life difficult for any high-end American car manufacturer who couldn’t compete with Japan on price or reliability. You can even credit GM’s Corvette with selling at a $5,000 loss.
Although Baldwin-Motion is now defunct, its legacy lives on to this day. The cars were so popular with drag racers that they’re still used in competitions today. And with the resurgence of interest in high-performance American cars, it seems like Baldwin-Motion will be back before you know it!