1926 Wills Sainte Claire T-6

Much of the rock-solid characteristics of the original Ford Model T were courtesy of Childe Harold Wills, a skilled metallurgist and an early proponent of vanadium steel. Wills also designed the famous Ford script logo. When Mr. Wills left Ford in 1919 of his own volition, he used the $1.5 million he received in severance from Henry Ford to help capitalize on his new car. Wills named his automobile the Wills Sainte Claire, after himself and the river that ran near his new Marysville, Michigan factory. The Canada grey goose, a bird greatly admired by Wills, was portrayed on the new car's radiator ornament.

The engine powering the Wills automobiles was a 265 cubic inch monobloc V8 inspired by the Hispano-Suiza World War I aircraft engines and featuring two overhead camshafts. The noisy straight gears of the Hispano design were replaced by precise bevel drive gears, greatly reducing the noise.

The 121-inch wheelbase Wills Sainte Claire automobile was built using lightweight and nimble molybdenum steel. Beginning in 1925, Wills offered a six-cylinder model with single overhead camshafts. Between 1922 and 1927, the year production ceased - the company proved over 12,000 Wills Sainte Claire vehicles.

Mr. Wills' passion for perfection resulted in an enviable reputation, but ultimately was the company's Achilles heel, as he constantly shut the production line so he could make improvements. What was meant as a mid-market automobile eventually became a high-priced vehicle and as a result, production remained low and the company never yielded a profit. Wills would fade away in 1927, with some of his team helping to develop the Ruxton front-drive car.

The Wills Sainte Claire T-6 was a six-cylinder model with 65 horsepower, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, and resting on a 127-inch platform. It was one of the first cars to have back-up lights.

by Dan Vaughan

Phaeton
Chassis number: T23676

When C. Harold Wills left the Ford Motor Company in 1919 to strike out on his own he had already become a millionaire. At Ford, he helped engineer the Ford Model T, promoted the development of vanadium steel, and even designed the famous Ford script. After leaving Ford, Wills built a factory along the St. Clair River in Michigan's eastern 'thumb' region and began producing the Wills Saint Claire in 1921.

This example was produced in 1926 and features a custom body by Gotfredson Body Company of Wayne, MI, where famed auto designer Gordon Buehrig was Chief Engineer. The last Wills Saint Claire was produced in 1927. Wills later helped to develop the Ruxton car and served as a consultant to Chrysler Corporation.

This Model T-6 4-Door Phaeton rides on a 127-inch platform and is powered by an eight-cylinder engine developing 65 horsepower.

by Gilmore Museum

Roadster

The Wills Sainte Claire in Marysville, MI, south of Port Huron in 1919 by Childe Harold Wills. Wills was a close associate of Henry Ford and played a key role in the design and engineering of the famous Ford Model T. After leaving Ford a very wealthy man in 1919, he announced his plans to build his own car, but his perfectionism delayed the start of production until 1921. The car was very technically advanced with a 265 cubic-inch, overhead cam, V8 engine.

Unfortunately, Wills' perfectionism drove-up production costs forcing what was intended to be a medium-priced, $2,000 engined up costing $3,000 and severely restricting sales. Sales struggled and in 1925 a six-cylinder version was added to the line. However, this was not enough and the company closed in 1926 after building 12,000 cars.

The T-6 model was powered by a 273 cubic-inch, overhead cam, six-cylinder engine producing 66 horsepower and featured four-wheel hydraulic brakes. It utilized strong, lightweight molybdenum steel and was the first car to have backup lights. Its durability was demonstrated in a record-setting coast-to-coast run in 102 hours and 45 minutes.

The current owner acquired this car on September 22, 1973, from the Harrah Collection who had found it in a California field in 1964. Mr. Harrah purchased the Wills from a party in San Diego County California in 1964. The Wills had 96,000 miles on the odometer and required a complete restoration. All bodywork framing required replacing except for the cowl area. The engine, transmission, rear end, and wiring were repaired or replaced. Painting, plating, interior, and top completed the restoration in 2012.

A number of unique features of the Wills is the overhead cam six-cylinder engine, hydraulic brakes, and aluminum body.

Roadster

Childe Harold Wills was a close associate of Henry Ford and played a key role in the design and engineering of the famous Ford Model T. After leaving Ford a very wealthy man in 1919, he announced his plans to build his own car, but his perfectionism delayed the start of production until 1921. The car was very technically advanced with a 265 cubic-inch, overhead camshaft, and V8 engine.

Unfortunately, Wills' perfectionism drove up production costs forcing what was intended to be a medium-priced, $2,000 ended up costing $3,000 and severely restricting sales. Sales struggled and in 1925 a six-cylinder version was added to the line. However, this was not enough, and the company closed in 1926 after building 12,000 cars.

The T-6 model was powered by a 273 cubic-inch, overhead camshaft, six-cylinder engine producing 66 horsepower, and featured four-wheel hydraulic brakes. It utilized strong, lightweight molybdenum steel and was the first car to have backup lights.