1934 Franklin Twelve Series 17

The Franklin Automobile Company of Syracuse, New York produced automobiles from 1902 through 1934. Founded by John Wilkinson, the company is known for producing air-cooled automobiles longer than any other manufacturer in America. The early Franklins were built on top of an angled frame, and soon replaced by wood frames, and then a conventional pressed-steel frame in 1928. Along with the unconventional air-cooled engines, the Franklin company believed in lightweight design and construction, and aluminum was employed to help keep weight to a minimum.

By 1925, at the persuasion of the dealers, Franklins switched from the Renault-style hoods to a more conventional setup designed by J. Frank DeCausse, with a nickel-plated 'dummy radiator' called a 'hoodfront.'

The 1930s was a difficult financial time due to the Great Depression. It was the era of the so-called 'cylinders wars,' where luxury car markers continued to raise the bar in terms of horsepower, performance, luxury, and design. Franklin's response was the introduction of a twelve-cylinder engine. The air-cooled unit had a 398 cubic-inch displacement and offered 150 horsepower. In keeping with tradition, the V12 Franklins were intended to gain part of its performance through lightweight materials. However, due to a lack of proper funding, these more expensive materials were unable to be used, and the Franklin Twelves became heavy, causing performance to suffer. Sales were slow, the company was unable to recoup the investment, and the company declared bankruptcy in 1934.

Franklin built 14,432 vehicles in 1929, 1,011 in 1933, and 360 in 1934.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020