1915 Maxwell Model 25

The Maxwell-Briscoe Company commenced its automobile manufacturing operations in 1904, utilizing a factory in Tarrytown, New York, which had previously been employed for the production of John Brisben Walker's Mobile Steamer. Over time, the company emerged as one of the top three automobile manufacturers in the United States, alongside Ford and General Motors. Maxwell was notable for introducing several advanced innovations of the era, such as a three-speed progressive transmission, a T-head, four-cylinder engine generating 30 horsepower arranged in a tripodal configuration, and a flywheel positioned at the front of the engine to enhance crankshaft balance, along with cutting-edge wooden body designs. Furthermore, Maxwell-Briscoe was among the pioneering automobile companies to target women as a specific market segment, aligning itself with the women's rights movement by committing to hire an equal number of female sales representatives as male counterparts.

By the 1920s, the company had significantly overreached and found itself in substantial debt, facing an excess of unsold vehicles as a result of the post-World War I recession of 1920. In 1921, Walter P. Chrysler orchestrated the acquisition of a controlling stake in Maxwell Motors, subsequently re-establishing the company in West Virginia with himself as chairman. The production of Maxwell vehicles was ultimately discontinued after the establishment of the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. The assets of Maxwell were integrated into Chrysler, leading to the introduction of the four-cylinder Chrysler model in 1926, which was derived from the former Maxwell automobile.

Following a factory at the North Tarrytown, NY, factory in 1907, Maxwell-Briscoe opened a factory in New Castle, Indiana. The factory continued to operate as a Chrysler plant following its takeover of Maxwell until it was demolished in 2004.

The two-cylinder Maxwell-Briscoe designed by Maxwell had a mechanically operated inlet valve and produced approximately eight horsepower. Residing in a 72-inch wheelbase platform, the two-passenger Tourabout had a honeycomb radiator with thermo-siphon cooling, a right-hand steering wheel, and a two-speed planetary gearset. An 88-inch wheelbase Tourer had seating for five and was powered by a 16-horsepower engine. The Tourabout listed at $750 and the Tourer at $1,400. A total of ten cars were built in 1904 and 823 in 1905, all designated as 1905 models.

Two- and four-cylinder models were part of the Maxwell-Briscoe lineup through 1912, the latter joining in 1906. Sales continued to climb, reaching 9,460 units by 1909. A total of 20,500 Maxwells were sold in 1910.

In 1908, five Maxwell automobiles participated in the Glidden Tours, finishing in sixth through tenth place in the light car race. The following year, Alice Huyler Ramsey and three of her friends drove a Maxwell cross-country, from Hell's Gate in New York to the Golden Gate in San Francisco.

In 1910, Ben Briscoe formed the United States Motor Company, combining Maxwell-Briscoe and Columbia, adding other companies later on, including Bruh and Stoddard-Dayton. When the U.S. Motor Company collapsed in 1912, Ben Briscoe left to build an automobile under his surname. His presidency role at Maxwell-Briscoe was taken over by Maxwell, and the Maxwell-Briscoe company was soon renamed the Maxwell Motor Company.

A song was written about the Maxwell in 1915 titled, Mack's Swell Car Was a Maxwell.

The 1915 Maxwell 25 was a four-cylinder model that produced 21 horsepower and used a 103-inch wheelbase platform. It was a robust and durable automobile that was competitively priced at $670 for the roadster, $700 for the five-passenger tourer, $840 for the cabriolet, and $920 for the Town Car.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2025