 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |
1920 Chalmers Model 35-C news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Phaeton Chassis Num: 122389 |
| Sold for $7,700 at 2007 RM Auctions. | |||
In 1903 Jonathan Maxwell, with assistance from Benjamin Briscoe, designed and built their first motor car and soon the Maxwell-Briscoe Company was formed. Production began in 1904 in facilities located in Tarrytown, New York. Within the first year they were able to create 532 cars, an astonishing accomplishment considering the evolutionary stage of the motor car in that era.
As time progressed, their vehicles improved as did the mechanical capabilities and durability. A shaft drive replaced the chain drive in 1905.
In 1908 William C. Durant and his Buick marque tried to convince the Briscoe brothers, Frank and Benjamin, to become apart of a single corporation called 'General Motors Corporation.' Talks fail though each would go on to form their own 'large entity' corporation. Durrant formed 'General Motors' and the Briscoe brothers formed the United States Motor Company, consisting of their Maxwell-Briscoe Company and Brush Motor Car Company. Brush Motor Car Company was formed in 1907 by Alanson P. Brush and located in Detroit, Michigan. It was known for their simplistic vehicles consisting of a single-cylinder engine using chain drive to propel the wood frame vehicle. Many other small, independent companies soon joined the United States Motor Car Company, including Columbia, Brush, Maxwell, Stoddard-Dayton, Courier, Samspon Trucks, Chalmers, and more.
In 1910 Maxwell ranked third in U.S. sales behind Ford and Buick.
Chalmers cars were named after Hugh Chalmers of the National Cash Register Company, who bought into the Thomas-Detroit car company in 1907 and changed the name to Chalmers-Detroit. Within a few years, the 'Detroit' part was dropped and it was simply known as 'Chalmers'.
Just prior to World War I, the United States Motor Company dissolved due to conflicts between two of its primary financial supporters. These individuals also had financial interests in the General Motors Corporation. Walter Flanders purchased the ailing Maxwell Company and continued to produce cars using its nameplate. The company survived until 1924 when Walter P. Chrysler merged it with his new Chrysler Corporation.
In 1917 Maxwell's business was successful while the Chalmers Company's sales were stagnate. Maxwell had secured many government orders for the war efforts and was finding it difficult to keep pace with demand. Maxwell formed an agreement with Chalmers for the lease of their production plant on Jefferson Avenue to aid in production of their Highland Park facility. The agreement stated that Chalmers cars would be sold through Maxwell's dealerships.
When war time ceased, both Maxwell and Chalmers were met with the harsh reality of a post-war recession, slow sales, material shortages, tough competition, rapidly evolving technology, and increased prices.
In 1920 the Maxwell Company produced 34,169 cars but was only able to find buyers for about 8,200 of them. Walter P. Chrysler headed a reorganization committee which formed the Maxwell Motor Corporation with Chalmers in May of 1921. Walter Chrysler was named Chairman of the Board. Production of the Maxwell and Chalmers cars continued in the early 1920s. The companies tried much to survive in the Post War era, but were met with slow sales and build problems. Production of the Maxwell Cars limped along until 1924 and on June 6 of 1925, the Chrysler Corporation was formed replacing the Maxwell Motor Corporation.
1920 Chalmers Model 35-C 5-Passenger Phaeton
This 1920 Chalmers Model 35-C 5-Passenger Phaeton was brought to the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $10,000 - $15,000 and was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for a high bid of $7,700.
This car is powered by a six-cylinder L-head engine that displaces 224 cubic-inches and produces 45 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and two-wheel mechanical drum brakes. The wheelbase measures 117-inches and is held in place by a solid front axle and a live rear axle with front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs.
It is covered in surface rust but is straight and fairly solid. There are dents and dings throughout and the paint has become very weathered. The leather seats have become hardened and cracked and there is a full top but the canvas does not work properly. The odometer reads 28,854 miles and was last inspected in 1942 in Pennsylvania.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
| Mazda Cx-5 Named 'Top Family Choice Vehicle' By Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association | |
| WASHINGTON, April 29, 2013 -- The Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) yesterday named the 2013 Mazda CX-5 its 'Top Family Choice Vehicle' and the all-new 2014 Mazda6 'Best Green Family Choice Vehicle' at its first annual Family Choice Challenge. GAAMA President Nick Palermo said, 'The CX-5 was the clear winner for the overall 'Top Family Choice Vehicle' award. It's stylish, affordable, has comfortable seating and great fuel economy and is fun to drive.' The 2013 CX-...[Read more...] | |
| CHEVROLET CRUZE DIESEL 46 MPG SETS HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY BENCHMARK | |
 | • Best Highway Fuel Economy of Any Non-Hybrid Passenger Car in America • Can travel 700 highway miles on single tank DETROIT – The new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, delivers an industry best EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway – better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. It will be available in certain cities this spring and nationwide and in Canada in early fall. Equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, the latest addition to the Cruze powertra...[Read more...] |
| JEEP® AT THE 2013 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW | |
 | •European premiere of the new Jeep® Grand Cherokee 2014: the most awarded Large SUV ever has been renewed in terms of internal and external design, technological contents and performance thanks to the new eight-speed automatic transmission •European debut for the new Jeep Compass 2014: revised interior and exterior design, new PowerTech six-speed automatic transmission and all-new safety features •European preview of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition: the new special-edition...[Read more...] |
| BMW at the NAIAS Detroit 2013 | |
 | Captivating looks laced with premium quality and groundbreaking innovations are the standout features of the models charged with continuing the success of the BMW brand into the future. The NAIAS 2013 in Detroit will see BMW presenting visitors with new models now entering series production and pioneering vehicle concepts combining technological progress, innovative forms and exemplary sustainability in a single package. BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe: more elegant, more dynamic, more individ...[Read more...] |
| VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS BEST HIGHWAY FUEL EFFICIENCY, WITH SEVEN MODELS THAT ACHIEVE MORE THAN 40 MPG | |
 | • New Jetta Hybrid earns EPA fuel economy rating of up to 48 mpg; the first compact hybrid available with a turbocharged engine Herndon, VA - With EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 48 mpg on the highway, 42 mpg in the city, and a combined rating of 45 mpg, the Jetta Hybrid becomes the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the Volkswagen lineup and the seventh model capable of more than 40 mpg on the highway. With sales of the Jetta Hybrid beginning later this month, Volkswagen wil...[Read more...] |
| Similar Automakers | |
| American | Chandler |
| EMF | Locomobile |
| Lozier | Marr |
| Mercer | National |
| Paige | Penn |
| Pierce Arrow | Simplex |
| Stellite | Stevens Duryea |
| Stoddard-Dayton | Stutz |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1920 |
| Dodge Model 30 ($1,080-$1,900) |
| Lexington Series S ($1,885-$2,850) |
| Paige Model 6-42 ($1,670-$2,395) |
Average Auction Sale: $7,700 |
| Chalmers: 1910-1920 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Chalmers |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey |
| Thirty |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
