1930 Franklin Series 147 Speedster

The Franklin Automobile Company has its roots in the H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company of Syracuse, NY. It was founded by Herbert H. Franklin in 1893 to manufacture die-cast parts including small gears and bearing caps, the first such manufacturer in the world. In 1901, Franklin developed an air-cooled engine and began producing cars in 1902. All of their cars were high-end cars with sophisticated engineering promoted as 'scientific light weight' that competed with Cadillac, Packard, Pierce Arrow, and Peerless.

Making its debut in the summer of 1929, the Speedster was designed and built by Raymond H. Dietrich to give Franklin extra sporty pizzazz at the top of the line. Models were equipped with a 3.92 rear axle to help them live up to their name. A Convertible Speedster was offered for the 1930 and 1931 model years. The low profile, 'Torpedo'-Style bodies provided intimate accommodation for four and a sporty feel as well as style. A 1930 Speedster was famously driven by Colonel Lindbergh and 1931 by Captain Frank Hawks, whose transcontinental airspeed record of 12 hours 25 minutes 3 seconds broke the prior record set by Col. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

This car, #47 is one of twelve known to survive and has served the family of the current owner since its acquisition as a used car in 1931. It was restored in the early 1990s to its original color theme and proudly displays the factory spirit of the St. Louis hood ornament.