1914 Franklin Model 6 Touring

In 1901, Herbert Henry Franklin (a Syracuse, New York industrialist), was offered a ride in a car designed by John Wilkinson, a Cornell-educated engineer. Mr. Franklin was thoroughly impressed with the air-cooled car that he focused his company's efforts on building the car.

Wilkinson was concerned about weight. He did away with cooling water and opted to use the lightest suspension components possible, like tubular axles and flexible, full-elliptic springs. The bodies were made of aluminum and the frames were made of ash. All of these efforts went a long way in making the vehicles very light.

Another belief of Wilkinson was that beauty stemmed from functionality. This resulted in an untraditional appearance for the Franklins and a unique styling that distinguished them from everything else on the roadway. Beginning in 1904, the Franklins had a 'barrel front' hood, with a simple screen at the front. In 1911, the cars were given modernization with flush-sided bodies and a Renault-style 'coal scuttle' hood. This was done to give the cars the appearance of having a radiator, even though they did not.

The Franklin cars were powered by four-cylinder overhead valve engines. In 1906, they became one of the first American manufacturers to build a six. A few years later, in 1914, Franklin moved to sixes exclusively.

This car is a 1914 Franklin Series 6 five-passenger Touring car that wears an older restoration. The seats are upholstered in black leather and there are black fenders and a black vinyl top.

In 1981, the car won an AACA National First, and a Grand National Award in 1983.

There were only 1,132 Series 6 Model M Franklins produced in 1914.

In 2009, this Five Passenger Touring car was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The lot was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold for a high bid of $66,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009