Review written on 5/1954.
The new Adirondack looks to put Philadelphia Motors on the map against rivals in the Van segment. This new Van has some intriguing features, but is it enough to push the Adirondack to the top of your buying list above everyone else? Or is it such a lemon that it should be forgotten much like the Cambria? Let's take a look at the details in this month's Vehicle Review!

Is the Philadelphia Motors Adirondack fast? Uh, No. But is that important? Maybe. For a Van the Adirondack is well below average. There are many other vehicles in this class that can move better and faster on the track. And because of that we don't consider it to be very good. The 90 hp @ 1932RPMs 4362 cc I4 engine is underpowered for this vehicle. Which ultimately hurts its performance. The Adirondack is able to reach a top speed of 66 mph and it does 24.305s 0 to 60 mph on the strip. When we hooked it up to our test trailer the 196 lb-ft of torque was able to move 5205 lbs. Which was very good for a its class. And that leaves us with one conclusion. Philadelphia Motors Should have probably used a bigger, better engine for this vehicle. But as it is, it will do. The good thing about the Philadelphia Motors Adirondack is that it's actually handles better than your typical Van. Its cornering abilities surpass the norm. So if it's weaving through cars in traffic or trying to do a lap around our track. The Adirondack is a good choice.

While certainly does not have the best features or materials. The Philadelphia Motors Adirondack does provide the bare necessities required in a vehicle of this type. No more and no less. As well as it should. If you wanted to spend that extra bit you would of bought the better vehicle. Was Philadelphia Motors wise in this respect? Maybe, but we do think they should of offered at least a little more bang for the buck so to speak.

The Philadelphia Motors Adirondack gives you a sense of home away from home. With 124 cu-ft of cargo and passenger space the Adirondack feels like a second living room. Which was what Philadelphia Motors was probably thinking when they made this vehicle. "Lets make a vehicle that people could live in." Well Philadelphia Motors thank you, because after my wife threw me out, this is my new home. And let me tell you, it rocks!

The manufacturing process of Philadelphia Motors has really found something. The Adirondack seems like a hand built car through and through. The workmanship is amazing. Only fine artisans could produce something like this.

The Philadelphia Motors Adirondack did very well on our dependability tests. We did not have any major issues in long term testing. The minor issues we did have were easy to resolve and not very costly. We believe that the Philadelphia Motors Adirondack is dependable enough for even the most unknowledgeable owner. It proper care and maintenance, even if done by a shop, the Philadelphia Motors Adirondack should last a very long time.

The 11.4 mpg city and might not look great. And it isn't. But there are worst options out there. That is no excuse however. The Philadelphia Motors Adirondack needs to squeeze out a little more mileage if it ever wants to be a contender.

While talking with engineers at Philadelphia Motors we found out that the Adirondack was designed to be nuclear bomb proof. While we don't really know if that is bluster, we do sort believe them. Specially when it ran through the concrete brick during crash testing without leaving a dent on the hood.

I was happy with the time I spent in the Philadelphia Motors Adirondack. This car is truly magnificent. I think future generations will look back at this vehicle and think, "I wish I owned one of these." It is absolutely one of the best Van you can buy. An instant classic that others in the segment will be compared to. I wish I could spend more time with the Adirondack but it is time for them to take it away. I believe I might go buy one myself.