1913 Regal Model N ‘Underslung’ Roadster
The Regal Model N represents one of America’s most intriguing early automotive innovations, featuring the underslung chassis design that suspended the frame below the axles rather than above them. This engineering approach, pioneered by Fred Tone at American Motor Car Company, lowered the vehicle’s center of gravity while maintaining ground clearance, creating exceptionally good handling characteristics that many consider among America’s first true sports cars.
Regal Motor Car Company of Detroit became the second-most prominent manufacturer of underslung vehicles in the United States. Founded by brothers Charles and Bert Lambert with Fred Haines in 1908, the company initially produced conventional mid-price automobiles before introducing their first underslung models in late 1910. The Model N featured a 25-horsepower, 199 cubic inch L-head four-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission on a 108-inch wheelbase.
The underslung design required larger wheels to maintain ground clearance but delivered superior road holding compared to conventional chassis. Regal offered the Model N initially as a runabout, later adding touring and coupe variants including the distinctive “Colonial Coupe” with its house-like windowed appearance. Despite being smaller and less imposing than famous contemporaries like the Stutz Bearcat or Mercer Raceabout, the Model N delivered comparable driving excitement in a more manageable package.
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