Muscatine Company Starts Work on “Littlemac” Auto Plant

In late 1929, the Thompson Motor Corporation began construction on a new automobile manufacturing plant in Muscatine, with plans to build a small, lightweight car unlike anything else on the road.

The company was led by Herbert G. Thompson, mayor of Muscatine. The new venture was capitalized at $1 million and aimed to produce three different models of a compact automobile called the “Littlemac.”

The Littlemac was designed to weigh less than half as much as a typical light car of the day. The vehicle would weigh about 1,100 pounds and stand between five and six feet high. Despite its smaller size, the company claimed it could reach speeds of 75 miles per hour.

It featured a 50-inch wheelbase and a 40-inch tread. A specially designed axle system was built to keep the car steady while turning corners. Power came from an 18-horsepower Red Seal Continental engine.

Three versions were planned: a roadster coupe, a standard coupe, and a commercial delivery model. The coupe and roadster would have regular left-hand drive. The delivery model was designed with right-hand drive to make curbside unloading easier for businesses.

A coupe model was displayed in Des Moines in October 1929, giving Iowans a first look at the new car. The Littlemac was expected to sell for around $350, making it one of the more affordable automobiles on the market.