1917 Chandler Type 17

Tourer
Chassis number: 49736

The Chandler Motor Car Company was organized in Cleveland, Ohio in 1913. It was founded by Frederic C. Chandler, who had worked for Lozier and brought with him four other Lozier employees. With the knowledge gained and lessons learned, the company was successful from the start.

The new engine powering the Chandlers was a 268.3 cubic-inch L-head six that was cast in pairs of three. It had integral cylinder heads and fully-enclosed valve trains. For 1918, the bore of the engine was increased slightly to 288.6 cubic inches.

This 1917 Chandler was purchased by the Nethercutt Collection from Rodney Flournoy of Modoc, California in 1994. Previous owners include Ernest Ongaro of Sebastopol and Lester Andrews of Los Altos, both in California. The car wears an older restoration that was finished in blue with black fenders and a hood. It has a black top and the interior is done in black leather.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Hershey Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $30,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $17,050 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

The Chandler Motor Car Company was organized in 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio by founder Frederic C. Chandler, who had worked for Lozier and brought with him four other Lozier employees. John V. Whitbeck of Lozier became Chandler's chief engineer and took charge of designing the new car. Power was from a 268.3 cubic-inch L-head six-cylinder engine which was cast in pairs of three, with integral cylinder heads and fully enclosed valve trains. Their medium-priced six-cylinder models were immediately popular, with notoriety gained from a 2,000-mile trek from Mexico to British Columbia without stopping. In 1923 Ralph Mulford won the 'Climb to the Clouds' hill climb at Mt. Washington, New Hampshire in a Chandler.

For 1917, Chandler sold 3,515 vehicles, a slight decrease from the 3,910 vehicles they sold the prior years. By the early 1920s, they were producing over 10,000 vehicles per year, and over 20,200 vehicles by 1926.

The Chandler Company remained in business until 1929 and was absorbed by the Hupp Motor Car Corporation.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer
Chassis number: 51136

This Chandler Type 17 Seven-Passenger Touring was acquired by the Merrick Auto Museum from Patrick Duggan of Englewood, Colorado, in 1996. It has been completely restored and is finished in medium blue with black fenders. It rides on body-color wood artillery wheels and whitewall tires. The seats are upholstered in pleated black leather. There is a full black canvas touring top and a rear-mounted leather-covered trunk.

by Dan Vaughan