I don’t remember where it was I heard this, but at one point I read that in the early 20th century, there were more American car companies beginning with the letter A than there are total today. Before this, I had never heard of Maxwell, which is why I chose to write about it…as an opportunity to learn and see something new. Well, new to me, and maybe new to a few of our dear readers. Today, we feature a 1906 Maxwell Model S, beating Tesla’s car of the same name to market by over a century. You can find this rare example of automotive history here on eBay, with a very knowledgeable seller!
Near as I can tell, Maxwell was bought out by Chrysler, and through some of Chrysler’s well-known complicated corporate restructuring, is now Stellantis. Maxwell as Maxwell ceased to exist sometime around 1925. This 1906 example seems relatively complete, with the seller noting the only missing piece is the taillamp. Worth noting: the horizontally-opposed two-cylinder engine does turn over and hold compression; it will need work, though, with the “jugs” being cracked…apparently a common issue on these cars. Common, of course, being a relative term. Nothing a new custom cast cylinder couldn’t fix, but that’s life with a brass-era money pit.
Maxwell had various innovations to their name; notable examples are shaft drive, siphon cooling, and square bore and stroke designed to limit piston speed. Maxwell may not have been the first to these innovations, but they were definitely one of the first. All of these are present and correct on this car, though if you’re going for a period-correct restoration, you’re going to want to reupholster the vinyl seats to their original leather.
Of course, the benefit to a car like this is its simplicity. Relative to a more modern car, there are only a few pieces, and the tolerances are measured in millimeters rather than microns. I don’t know about you, but the oldest car I’ve ever driven is a 1929 Buick, and that was a completely unique experience, especially when compared to the car I was driving at the time, seventy years its junior. If you’re like me and value quirkiness, uniqueness, and engineering creativity, this is right up your alley. Imagine taking this on a Target run to get your weekly groceries–you won’t forget where you left it in the sea of gray SUVs.
Unless you are 100 years old,,and coherent, the only time we heard of a “Maxwell”, was Jack Benny and his gravely voiced chauffeur, “Rochester”. Benny was always portrayed as a penny pincher, supposedly never trading up to a newer car.( that was the joke) I think his Maxwell was a 1923 usually shown sputtering on his show well into the 60’s. I believe in reality, Jack loved big cars, Imperial, Caddys, Packards, and used a Maxwell prop in his shows, but unclear if it was his.
I think this is complete enough, and enough gray ( or no) hairs that would still go for this, it’s not a 5 figure Jeep, someone I’m sure, still has a connection with Maxwells, otherwise, interest fading for this stuff, and fast. I think for once, at $9 grand, it’s an outstanding find.
Jack Benny’s car was indeed a 1923 Maxwell: https://www.streetmusclemag.com/news/top-50-tv-cars-of-all-time-no-41-jack-bennys-1923-maxwell/
When his show was on the radio, Mel Blanc did the sputtering sounds. He also used the same sounds on WB cartoons.
Many people erroneously assume that the antique automobile Jack Benny is seen driving during his cameo appearance in the 1962 comedy film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a Maxwell; that car is, in fact, a 1931 Cadillac convertible coupe.
My grandfather worked at the Tarrytown ny Maxwell factory. I have a plaster casting plaque of a 07 Maxwell which he explained in his Czech accent his employment there… After that he moved to Poughkeepsie N.Y. And then worked at the Fiat plant located there.. Eventually opening his own repair shop in Hyde park ny. That building had previously been a blacksmith with the forge still in place.. I remember cranking the hand air blower to get the coals red hot to heat items for hammer shaping on a huge old anvil…
Raaahhhchester…I’m not old enough to have listened to Jack Benny on the radio or watched him on TV when the shows were originally broadcast but, the radio station that my parents and grandparents always had tuned in at home (WJR-760 AM, The Great Voice of the Great Lakes, from the golden tower of the Fisher Building) always used to air a few of his old radio programs during the holiday season. That’s probably the only reason that I’ve heard of Maxwell cars. I’ve never actually seen one that I know of.
My great grandfather Joseph A. Newby was involved in bringing the Maxwell plant to my hometown, New Castle, Ind. Later his duty was to pick up Vice President Charles Fairbanks at the train station on the day of ground breaking ceremonies. My great aunt married Herman Teetor, whose family ran Perfect Circle Piston Rings. If you’re ever near New Castle, the historical museum has an interesting collection and array of Maxwell-related items. Dad had the racing blood, attending 69 500s.
For years I had some favorites from the Brass Era, none of which were what people would classify as overindulgent unless you might count the Mercer Raceabout. My ultimate favorite would still be the Pope Columbia Mk VIII Runabout which came out in 1901 and featured Front Engine-Rear Wheel Drive and a STEERING Wheel on the LH side but I also like the Ford Model F and N. I look at this and see a neat little car. You could have a lot of fun with this one and it might not be as jiggly as the Columbia which had a sizeable Single-Cylinder engine. An IH Auto Wagon also ran a 2-Cyl Opposed engine but that would tend to rock forward and back (I know that because a good family friend and former IH dealer had a 1913 version). To have some money and time to have this one. It would be as much fun as my old trucks…
Geomechs,
Years ago at a local antique car show, after the show ended, the owners of 4 very different cars lined up for a photograph I had wanted to create for years. We had the early IH buggy, then a Volkswagen Type 1, then a Corvair, and lastly, my 1962 Tatra T2-603.
So why did I want to stage this photograph, with such a strange collection of cars? They were all air-cooled motors, displayed in a row as 2, 4, 6, and 8 cylinder cars! I suspect that may well be the only time such a photo was created.
That would be quite a setup. Boxer engines were used extensively. I watched a video on the development of the Deux Cheveaux. That went through a lot of stages before it was ready but it became immensely successful.
Where’s the picture Bill? We are all interested in that fantastic display.
The bidding looks to be pretty lively on this old buggy. So much for the dying old car culture, eh?
God I feel ancient, hell I remember when Jack Benny died, I was 11. I remember him driving it on his show, I was too young to known him from radio. I do know that Maxwell’s were very reliable and innovative for the time. I believe that why Chrysler bought them out because they wanted that segment of the ever growing market. We are but shadows and dust, it sucks to get old.
It sure does suck, that’s why at 84+ I still get out and ride my Suzuki whenever the weather allows. Just keep going Vance. I used to love the Jack Benny Show.
There is still a lot of interest in pre-16 (brass and nickle era) cars like this Maxwell. In particular cars that can handle a tour without complaint. There’s even a subset for one and two cylinder cars like this one. And as those go, the Maxwell is a great candidate for those tours because as Vance said, they were pretty reliable and reasonably powerful for the era. This car is ideal for a restoration. You might have to have the jugs recast, or if it’s just the ear, maybe it could be welded or brazed. But I imagine the Maxwell club has got foundry patterns for those jugs already. This is a cool car. If I weren’t in the middle of restoring a 1911 Hupmobile I’d be bidding on this car.
It was Bill Harrah’s Maxwell restoration that started him on the road to collecting cars.
One thing that I think about for Brass-Era cars is the annual London-Brighton rally that runs in the fall. I think it’s limited to 1910 and earlier. If I could swing it I would love to go over there and experience it. If I really had the means I would love to have a car that I could participate in it with. This is a photo of a (late) acquaintance of mine who shipped his 1903 Knox over there in 2019. Unfortunately, he fell victim to a texting truck driver who almost took his wife as well. But he went out doing what he loved: playing with his old cars…
It used to be pre-1903, because that’s when the act of parliament that required cars to drive behind a man holding a red flag was repealed.
It might be 1910 nowadays, but I don’t know. The Veteran Car Club is the organising body.
Here is the website for the London to Brighton run.
https://www.veterancarrun.com/
All entrants, cars, motor cycles, buses, trucks etc. must have been built BEFORE 1905.
Unless this is the same car, I believe I saw another one in Eastern Washington in 1975. It appeared to be in the same condition, though I recall that it would run. It was literally a barn find at the time. I wonder how many are still lurking out there, having not turned a wheel in 100 years?
A very complete car – I have a 1901 American Motoe Carriage Co single cylinder – simplistic year fun to work on and drive.Crank and Run Races are a joy in these old rigs.
A very complete car – I have a 1901 American Motoe Carriage Co single cylinder – simplistic year fun to work on and drive.Crank and Run Races are a joy in these old rigs.
No one better dare restore this. Leave it as-is, patina and all!
Hi Steve. In some ways I might agree with you but in others I would want to give it a driver’s restoration. I took a restoration course at the Reynolds Museum some years ago. They were working on (I think) a Brush. Most of the original paint and pinstriping was still in place so they were doing their best to bring that old luster out again. They also had a 29 Essex that was still wearing its original livery but it was wearing thin on the hood and cowl. I tend to agree with the sheet metal guy when he said: “If the paint is still there, do your best to keep it there. But if it’s given way to surface rust then clean it up prep it and refinish it because the rust only gets worse.” Since I’m not up close and personal with this car I can’t pass judgment but from what I CAN see, I’d give it the driver quality treatment and then DRIVE it. I don’t expect any trophies; I just want to enjoy it, and then when someone else takes over the stewardship it’s his responsibility…
“the early 20th century, there were more American car companies beginning with the letter A than there are total today?” Here’s a few examples of early cars, but most started a little later than 1906.
‘Blue & Gold’ model
Abbott-Detroit (1909–1918)
Moved to Cleveland and renamed to ‘Abbott’ in 1917.
Abeln-Zehr (1911–1912)
Renamed to ‘Zehr’ after departure of S. Abeln in 1912.
Ace model
Acme Motor Car Company (1903–1911)
Adams Company (1905–1912)
‘Adams-Farwell’ model
Aerocar Company (1905–1908)
Airscoot model
Airway (1949–1950)[5
Ajax Motor Vehicle Company (1901–1903)
Aland Motor Car Company (1916–1917)
Albany Automobile Company (1907–1908)
Alden Sampson Company (1904)
Sampson model
Albaugh-Dover Co. (1910–1911)
Also known as Aldo
Ben, I read that from 1890-2000 there were more than two thousand car manufacturers in the US. Maxwell, Brush, Star, Jordan, White to name a few.
Ben, I read that between 1890 and 2000 there has been over two thousand auto manufacturers in the US. Star, Jordan, Powell, Brush, White are a few I remember.
Located in:
Gerrardstown, West Virginia
Maxwells we’re built in my hometown of New Castle, Indiana. The building where this assembly took place later became a Chrysler forge plant. Most of that building has been demolished.
Well, the bidding has reached $10K. It might be fun to show, if you are willing to provide the required storage space. I am old, but just don’t relate to cars this old. Fun to look at though.
Ended: Jan 31, 2022
Winning bid:US $14,000.00
[ 26 bids ]