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The Franklin automobiles were cooled by direct air flow. A fan was attached to the crankshaft and the air was directed by metal housings to the tops of the cylinders and through copper fins. They proved to be superior to liquid-cooled engines, especially on long journeys at high speeds. There were no radiators and thus, looked different from other American vehicles. By 1923, the company conformed to the contemporary look of other vehicles by placing a fake radiator at the front of the vehicle. This upset John Wilkinson, the chief engineer and designer for Franklin, so much that he left the company in protest.
The Franklin Airman was named after the famous Charles Lindbergh. Amelia Earhart and Lindberg, both famous aeronautical individuals, could often be found in front of Franklin advertisements. The company compared their vehicles to airplanes due to the use of air-cooled engines and the use of these celebrities helped reinforce their beliefs with the public.
Slow sales during the onset of the Great Depression meant that the company would be out of business by 1934.
This Franklin Airman 12A was accompanied with a $4,600 price tag. A six-cylinder engine was capable of producing nearly 50 horsepower. 1928 was the final year that Franklin used wooden frames. Four-wheel internal-expanding hydraulic brakes were also rather ingenious, and one of the first American companies to use this technology.
The Franklin Airman was named after the famous Charles Lindbergh. Amelia Earhart and Lindberg, both famous aeronautical individuals, could often be found in front of Franklin advertisements. The company compared their vehicles to airplanes due to the use of air-cooled engines and the use of these celebrities helped reinforce their beliefs with the public.
Slow sales during the onset of the Great Depression meant that the company would be out of business by 1934.
This Franklin Airman 12A was accompanied with a $4,600 price tag. A six-cylinder engine was capable of producing nearly 50 horsepower. 1928 was the final year that Franklin used wooden frames. Four-wheel internal-expanding hydraulic brakes were also rather ingenious, and one of the first American companies to use this technology.
1928 Franklin Airman 12A |
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| Year | 1928 |
| Make | Franklin |
| Model | Airman 12A |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Wooden frames |
| Price | $4,600.00 |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Air-Cooled | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 236.30 CU IN. | 3873 cc. | 3.9 L. |
| Horsepower | 46.00 HP (33.9 KW) |
| HP / Liter | 11.8 BHP / Liter |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com