1911 Franklin Model D Racer

This Franklin is one of the best examples of an original unrestored race car from the early era of racing in the United States.

When engineer John Wilkinson and former newspaper publisher Herbert H. Franklin joined forces in 1901, the result was the most long-lived and successful air-cooled automobile in America. This is one of the best examples of a completely original racecar of the era. In 1911, this car placed second in the 540-mile Cactus Derby Desert Races from Los Angeles to Phoenix driven by Mr. Ralph Hamlin. The car was purchased by Mr. H. E. Bonebrake in 1913 and delivered by train to his car dealership/hardware store in El Reno, OK. It was raced by Mr. Bonebrake for several years. It has remained in Oklahoma ever since.

The car has an air-cooled 302 cubic-inch engine developing 38 horsepower. It has been featured in Automobile Quarterly and certified by the AACA as a Competition Race Vehicle and holds plaque #181.

Built in Syracuse, New York, from 1902 until 1934, the Franklin was the most popular air-cooled automobile in the United States.