1910 Maxwell Model Q

The Maxwell automobile company produced automobiles from 1904 through 1925. The operation began in Tarrytown, New York, under the name of Maxwell-Briscoe Company. The name was chosen after its founders, Jonathan Dixon Maxwell, and the Briscoe Brothers Metalworks. Jonathan Maxwell had gained experience while working for Oldsmobile, and Benjamin Briscoe was one of the early industry pioneers. Their factory was the former location used for John Brisben Walker's Mobile Steamer.

The twin-cylinder Maxwell runabouts were popular due to their competitive price tag and durable engines.

In 1907 a fire destroyed the Tarrytown, NY factory. A new location was chosen in New Castle, Indiana, and the Maxwell Company created what was, at the time, the largest factory in the world. The factory would be used by Chrysler until its demolition in 2004.

By 1909 the company was third in the industry in terms of production figures. During that year, Alice Huyler Ramsey and three female friends made an all-girl coast-to-coast journey in a Maxwell. This was unheard of and unthinkable for an all-woman crew at the time, which made the accomplishment even more memorable and astonishing.

The Maxwell company became a part of the United States Motor Company, formed in 1910. It was the only profitable company in the union. The United States Motor Company failed due to conflicts between two of its backers and disbanded in 1913. Maxwell was the only surviving marque to emerge from the failed company.

In 1913, the Maxwell assets were purchased by Walter Flanders, who reorganized the company as the Maxwell Motor Company, Inc. The operation was moved to Detroit, Michigan, with other facilities located in Dayton, Ohio.

In the post-World War I era recession, many manufacturers were devastated by a poor and slow-moving economy. Maxwell found themselves in peril after over-extending themselves, resulting in large amounts of debt and over half of their production unsold. In 1921, Walter P. Chrysler took a controlling interest in Maxwell and the company was re-incorporated in West Virginia with Walter Chrysler as the chairman. Chrysler, a name associated with Buick and Willys-Overland Company, had stepped in to sort out quality problems and boost sales. Around the same time, Maxwell was merging with the ailing Chalmers Automobile Company. Production of the Chalmers Company ceased in late 1923.

In 1925 Walter Chrysler formed the Chrysler Motor Corporation and the Maxwell line was phased out and its assets were absorbed by Chrysler. The Chrysler automobiles in 1926 were basically four-cylinder Maxwells from the year before.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

Although the company's cars are seldom seen today, Maxwell was a significant manufacturer in the early 20th century. The car earned its solid reputation through performances in many reliability tours. In fact, a Maxwell was driven from New York City to San Francisco by four women in 1909 (an unheard of event prior to that time). In 1910 Maxwell ranked third in U.S. sales behind Ford and Buick. The company survived until 1924, when Walter P. Chrysler merged it with his new Chrysler Corporation.

by AACA Museum

Roadster

'Maxwell - Simply Perfect - Perfectly Simple' - The Maxwell (Maxwell-Briscoe Company) was built in Tarrytown, NY, from 1905 to 1925 until it became part of the Chrysler Corp. In 1909, 22-year-old Alice Ramsey and three female companions drove from New York City to San Francisco in a grueling 59 days - the first woman to ever undertake the transcontinental route. In 1915, a Maxwell set a Coast-to-Coast record of 10 days and 16 hours.

The engine in this 1910 Roadster is a 22-horsepower T-head, 4-cylinder unit capable of carrying the car to 53 miles per hour.

Touring
Chassis number: 1551

In the early 1900s, Benjamin Briscoe felt he was backing the wrong builder in David Dunbar Buick. With two-thirds of the $150,000 needed coming from associate J.P. Morgan, he decided to build the two-cylinder car created by Jonathan Maxwell. Ten examples were created in 1904 before skyrocketing to 823 the following year. In 1906, Maxwell won a survey conducted in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The Maxwell was deemed the car of choice for doctors, resulting in Maxwell adding a 'doctor's model' based on the specifications requested by physicians making house calls.

By 1910, Maxwell was ranked third in the industry ranking after producing approximately 20,500 vehicles.

This Model Q Touring car is powered by a four-cylinder engine with the cylinders cast in pairs. The 22-horsepower is controlled via a two-speed planetary transmission with shaft drive. There are rear-wheel mechanical brakes and the wheelbase measures 93 inches. It features such period brass accouterments as a matched pair of Gray & Davis acetylene headlamps, a matching pair of Westchester Square kerosene side lamps, and a polished brass radiator. Other features include a Stewart speedometer and a Waltham clock.

The body is finished in black with red pinstripe accents and mounted on a red chassis with black pinstripes. There is tufted tan leather upholstery, a tan top, and an electric starter.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Hershey Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. As bidding came to a close, the vehicle had been sold for the sum of $46,200, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: 5320

Jack Benny made the Maxwell a household name when he used Maxwells as a comedic prop on his popular radio and TV shows from the 1930s until the 1960s. He and Maxwell also gained exposure in commercials.

Maxwell was founded by Jonathan D. Maxwell and Benjamin Briscoe, and started production in 1904 (With financial assistance from J.P. Morgan). The first factory was in Tarrytown, N.Y., and rapidly expanded. By 1910 it was number three in sales (behind Ford and Buick), producing 20,500 cars. In 1910 they produced four chassis, the Models AA, Q, E, and G. The Model Q had a 93-inch wheelbase, a four-cylinder 'T' head 22-horsepower engine, and a three-speed transmission. It was offered in three body styles - the Roadster at $900, the Surrey at $950 and the Touring at $1,000. By the late teens, sales had dropped off and they were in debt due to overexpansion. In 1921 Walter P. Chrysler gained a controlling interest in the company by becoming its president. He discontinued the Maxwell in 1925 and formed the Chrysler Corporation.

This Maxwell Q-2 Surrey, the 2 indicating two could sit in the rear seat, has been owned by the current owner for ten years, having purchased it from the three daughters of the previous owner. It had been restored in the 1960s, but it needed a re-restoration which he did with the help of some talented friends. He had already restored his other two Maxwells.

The Model Q-2 was powered by a four-cylinder T-head motor that developed 22 horsepower. It was built on a 93-inch wheelbase chassis. Interestingly, the flywheel is in the front. It has separate intake and exhaust camshafts.

The Maxwell slogan was unique: 'Perfectly Simple. Simply Perfect.'