1910 Maxwell Model Q Touring

In the early 1900s, Benjamin Briscoe felt he was backing the wrong builder in David Dunbar Buick. With two-thirds of the $150,000 needed coming from associate J.P. Morgan, he decided to build the two-cylinder car created by Jonathan Maxwell. Ten examples were created in 1904 before skyrocketing to 823 the following year. In 1906, Maxwell won a survey conducted in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The Maxwell was deemed the car of choice for doctors, resulting in Maxwell adding a 'doctor's model' based on the specifications requested by physicians making house calls.

By 1910, Maxwell was ranked third in the industry ranking after producing approximately 20,500 vehicles.

This Model Q Touring car is powered by a four-cylinder engine with the cylinders cast in pairs. The 22-horsepower is controlled via a two-speed planetary transmission with shaft drive. There are rear-wheel mechanical brakes and the wheelbase measures 93 inches. It features such period brass accouterments as a matched pair of Gray & Davis acetylene headlamps, a matching pair of Westchester Square kerosene side lamps, and a polished brass radiator. Other features include a Stewart speedometer and a Waltham clock.

The body is finished in black with red pinstripe accents and mounted on a red chassis with black pinstripes. There is tufted tan leather upholstery, a tan top, and an electric starter.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Hershey Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. As bidding came to a close, the vehicle had been sold for the sum of $46,200, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2011