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As the automobile began to grow in interest, companies and those eager to capitalize on this new market scrambled to meet the demand. Prior to World War I, hundreds of individuals and companies sprung-up in every major city and throughout the United Sates trying to create their version of the horseless carriage. Many would be out of business within a few years.
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.
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.
 |  | View more photos Torpedo Roadster Chassis Num: 18910 |
Chapin and Coffin later left the Chalmers Company; by this point, the 'Detroit' part of the name had been dropped. They had formed Hudson in 1909 with financial support from a Detroit merchant. The Chalmers continued with their line of four-cylinder cars; by 1912, a six-cylinder version had been created.
In 1909, a Chalmers car earned a trophy on the 1909 Glidden Tour and won the event outright in 1910. To promote the cars even further, Chalmers presented cars to the baseball players in each major league with the highest batting average. The most valuable player as chosen by sportswriters was also given a car.
There were five models on four wheelbases offered for sale in 1912 by Chalmers. To add even more variety to the mix, there were four different engines with the smallest being the 30-horsepower four-cylinder unit. This engine came with either the Model 11 Tourer or the Model 9 Coupe or Roadster. The Model 9 had a short 104-inch wheelbase and the Model 11 a 115-inch wheelbase. The Model 10 had a 40-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a 122-inch wheelbase. The top-of-the-line model was the Model 12, fitted with a 54-horsepower six-cylinder engine and resting on a wheelbase that measured 130-inches.
By 1917, the Chalmers had sent new marks for 10 miles, 100 miles and a 24-hour average in speed-record activity. Even with these impressive accomplishments, the company struggled in the post-WWI recession. In 1922 the company merged with Maxwell and later, the combined company became part of Chrysler in 1924.
Chassis Number 18910
Around 1917, this car became the possession of former furniture maker John Charles Widman. He later produced wood parts for car bodies during the teens. By the early 1920s, his J.C. Widman Company was making complete bodies for automakers, including Chalmers, Jewett and Franklin.
This car was kept in a private museum until 1928. Upon Widmna's death, ownership passed to his son who subsequently sold it to an individual who kept it for four decades. It was then in the Tucson collection where it remained until 1974, when it was sold to Emil Pospisil.
While in the care of Pospisil, the car was treated to a restoration. The car has a shaft drive water pump, Bosch magneto ignition with dual spark plugs, and an 'F-head' configuration for its engine. Thus, it has overhead intake and side exhaust valves and the valve train is exposed. There is a three-speed manual gearbox with reverse and two-wheel mechanical brakes. It is painted in light green and has red leather upholstery and a black canvas top. The tires measure 34 x 3.5 inches and ride on demountable rims.
The interior features a Stewart speedometer with odometer and trip mileage recorder. These are flanked by a Keyless rim wind eight-day clock. The brass headlamps are Solar No. 1146 with Chalmers script. Brass continues throughout the vehicle, including side lamps and a brass bulb horn.
In 2007 the Model 9 Chalmers was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, Ca. The lot was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $75,000 - $110,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $60,500 including buyer's premium.
1912 Chalmers Model 9 |
|
| Year | 1912 |
| Make | Chalmers |
| Model | Model 9 |
| Body Style | Torpedo Roadster |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 18910 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Fixedhead | |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Engine | Overhead intake and side exhaust valves |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 226.20 CU IN. | 3707.4 cc. | 3.7 L. |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Horsepower | 30.00 HP (22.1 KW) |
| HP / Liter | 8.1 BHP / Liter |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 3 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View Specifications |
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