John Gary Anderson and his Maverick Motor Company:: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Rock Hill Rival

by J. Edward Lee

To John Gary Anderson, a well-designed, well-made, well-marketed car would speed to the head of the pack, leaving the bewildered competition in its dust. John Gary Anderson?the hungry visionary who founded the Anderson Car Company and attempted to revitalize Rock Hill, South Carolina, as the automobile capital of the country - never forgot where he came from and never lost sight of where he wanted to go. Born into poverty during the Civil War, Anderson's industrial ingenuity and drive would come to symbolize the New South, and his devotion to the economic livelihood of his home would not be forgotten. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Anderson was poised for unstoppable success in the new automobile industry - until it all came crashing down.

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ruppert Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hundreds of car makers have built automobiles for use across America and the world. This is the story of South Carolina's only native car builder and his Anderson Car Company.

I would have liked to see a bit more detail on the design and building, as well as the marketing of these machines. But suffice it to say that this is an enjoyable journey down a little known road of American history.