1905 Franklin Type E

The H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company made motor cars between 1902 and 1934 in Syracuse, New York. Herbert H. Franklin, the founder, started out in the metal die-casting business - in fact, he invented the term 'die cast' - before entering the automobile business with engineering guru John Wilkinson. All Franklin cars were air-cooled, which was much simpler and more reliable than using water.

The early Franklins were given high-revving, 4-cylinder engines mounted transversely in a lightweight chassis with tubular axles and wooden frame rails. They were sporty, quick, and agile. These Franklin 'Cross-Engine' models carried distinct advantages in performance and efficiency over the large bore one- and two-cylinder cars in similar size and price class. By 1905, crankcases were aluminum, as were body panels. The drive came from a two-speed transmission through a chain to the rear wheels.

Rugged and reliable, these early Franklins set very high standards for the day. The Type A was available with a rear-entrance tonneau for an additional $150, making it a four or five-passenger touring car.

In 1904, a Runabout like this example made a cross-country trip from New York City to San Francisco in just 33 days, cutting the previous records of Winton and Packard nearly in half.

Franklin established its reputation for durability in 1904 when driver L.L. Whitman drove from New York to San Francisco in 33 days, breaking Packard's record of the previous year by over one month. At the time, Franklin was the most successful air-cooled car in America.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2013