Franklins are coming out of the woodwork it seems. Just a few days ago we wrote up an Airman, and now here’s an earlier mystery Franklin I can’t identify. Fortunately, these air-cooled cars have a sturdy following. For instance, the Franklin Facebook group has 845 members, so perhaps one of them will chime in to help ID this car. Here on craigslist is – maybe – a 1925 Franklin with an asking price of $5,500. This car is actually at an antique shop – Packard’s Antiques in Hunstville, Alabama. Thanks to Rocco B. for this great tip! Via an ad that wins the “brevity” award, we’re told only that this car is a 1925 model, has an air-cooled engine, and comes with a completely disassembled parts car. The title is lost. Turns out this car has been listed since at least August; here’s another write-up, referring to a craigslist ad that was also not illuminating.
The engine in a 1920s Franklin was an air-cooled 199 cu. in. six-cylinder making just under 30 bhp. By 1925, Franklin had changed its fan arrangement so the fan blew cool air – rather than sucking hot air – over the motor. This improvement gradually increased horsepower. A three-speed manual helped the car to its most comfortable speed of about 40 mph. While 50 mph was theoretically possible, it was not advisable since braking was available only on the rear wheels. No word from the seller on this car’s mechanical condition.
The faux radiator that so incensed John Wilkinson, designer of the Franklin car, was in full play by 1925 on the Franklin 11 series. This front end, however, looks like the earlier classic Franklin grille. Note the break about one-third of the way up from the bottom of the screen; that’s where the hood hinges forward. These cars were still on an ash-wood frame in the mid-1920s. Full elliptic springs, just visible here, gave a soft ride on the rutted roads of the day.
The interior needs some love but given the car’s vintage, it could be worse. What’s most interesting about this car is its body. It’s not a 10c sedan, which has four doors; it could be a 9b, but that model ended its run in the early 1920s; I did see one 1924 Franklin 10b with two doors, and that is my best guess. The mystery might be solved by considering that as sales slipped, more Franklins were custom-bodied in an attempt to boost appeal. All that aside, I like the shorter sporty look of this body style, coupled with the distinctive hood and horse-collar grille. The rampant lion mascot doesn’t hurt. This Franklin is patiently awaiting a new home; does the price need to come down to make that happen?
I remember at the inaugural Cobble Beach Concours D’Elegance there was a participant there that daily drove his Franklin. These cars are very durable and simple to work on.
https://www.cobblebeachconcours.com/
Aren’t Franklin bodies all aluminum?
I read that at one time Franklin was the single largest user of aluminum in the world.
Any info, anyone?
Most are, until later years, I believe. You are right, Franklin was once the largest consumer of aluminum in the world.
Could it be a Series 10 Victoria 2-door Sedan?
This car looks to be restorable fairly easily as all the parts are there and a tempting price. If I had $5k I would be seriously
interested.
This looks alot like the 1919 Franklin that Mike and Frank on American Pickers bought a few years back. They paid $5500 and sold it for $8500. Too early for me but still think they’re interesting all alluminum bodied, early, air cooled cars. Great find.
AACA, the Antique Automobile Club of America, has several experts on the Franklin. One of them is a member of the Austin Tx club (“Road Relics”). Email them and he’ll contact you.
Franklin Museum in Tucsin Arizona is a great place to learn about Franklin cars. They usually enter one of their cars at our bigger car shows under special interest.
What were the body work fasteners made from? Was there a dissimilar metal corrosion possible between the aluminum body and other parts?