1913 Jackson Sultanic 5-Passenger Touring

The Jackson automobile was produced from 1903 through 1923 in Jackson, Michigan. The Jackson was one of several early automobiles produced by engineer Byron J. Carter. Initially a bicycle manufacturer, the firm diversified into the automobile market at the turn of the 20th century, initially with an internal-combustion horseless carriage, then with two steam models, and finally with a return to gasoline models.

A short time after incorporating and starting the business, Carter left the company due to disagreements with his partners. He had an idea for a friction-drive that he was unable to convince his partners to pursue. Instead, he left the company and formed Cartercar.

One of the earliest production cars of the Jackson marque was a single-cylinder gasoline-powered car that was similar to the Olds Runabout. This was followed in 1904 with a twin-cylinder example and a four-cylinder model was introduced in 1906.

Backed by strong and durable engineering, the Jackson vehicles were popular in racing. During the inaugural August 1909 racing meet at Indianapolis, Leigh Jackson won the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy race in a Jackson. Later, a factory-built Model 59 Jackson entered in the 1911 Indianapolis 500, finishing the race in the top 10.

This particular vehicle is a Sultanic fitted with a five-passenger Touring body. This vehicle is original except for an older repaint and tires. It is believed that the engine has just 2,386 miles on it which have been re-commissioned and put into running and driving order. There is a three-speed sliding-gear manual transmission, full-elliptical leaf spring suspension, and mechanical rear drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2015