Founded

1916 - Minnesota, United States

About

Pan founder Samuel Pandolfo had a life insurance business in the southwest and he conceived of his car during his business travels. In 1916 he was raising money for his new Minnesota automobile company, promoting an ideal workers’ village in St. Cloud (near Minneapolis) via a tabloid-style company newspaper called Pan Siftings. It included testimonials from the oldest living person in the country (supposedly 130 years old) and a banker who liked cars, one Charles Schwab. Pandolfo sold some $4 million in Pan Motor Co. stock, then placed half the proceeds in his personal bank account. Save for prototypes, car production did not begin until 1919, as Pandolfo and his associates were tried and convicted of fraud. A receiver was appointed to guide the manufacture of some 750 cars. When a $1,085 Dodge was the class benchmark, Pan was priced high, $1,250, so it is little surprise the severe 1920-21 recession led to the end of production.

Credit

The description of this manufacturer was provided by OpenAI, so please let us know if it inaccurate.

Contact Us