1920s -30s Classics ... built for the Leisure Class
The American Classic Club is specific. This group consists only of unique cars built between 1915 and 1948
Cars of Kings and Captains of Industry. The 1936 Mercedes 540K Special Roadsters claimed to be the most over the top them all. Only a few were built. Mercedes was a top pre-war auto builder.
Supercharged 8 Cylinder, 5.4L, 180 HP, Stuttgart Germany.
$14,000 in 1936.
The author with a 12 cylinder 38 Packard convertible at the Gilmore Classic Car Museum.
Collectors say that Packard, along with Peerless and Pierce-Arrow were regarded as the more "exclusive" of the pricy choices of the day. Only Packard survived through the post depression era.
Purchasing a Automobile was done at a Salon
A dress-up affair ...
The 1940 Cadillac. In a race to build the most luxurious autos, price was lessPlush Plush interiors, more cylinders, and designs that excite the leisure class taste were the target buyer. Frequently driven by chauffeurs, it wasn't necessary for owners to understand complexities.
1930 Detroit ... Packard sales event. You'll notice that these potential car buyers were well dressed, definitely well off. Women in cloche "bell" hats, men in suits. Notice the man on the lower left, looking good with nickers, vested suit and tie, without hat. Most men wearing hats. Photo: Gilmore Auto Museum
More Cylinders, more power, more prestige
More pistons, superchargers, more valves
A smooth ride was not all. More cylinders would do this, but just count the cylinders. Why wouldn't 16 be better than 12, 8, or 6?
The years xxx to xx the cylinders wars were on. Only to run straight into the Great depression.
Packard ... a Detroit jewel - 1899-1959
Detroit Classic ....designed as big time luxury rides
A long history in the Motor City ...
Engineer James Packard complained that Winton cars of which he was familiar could easily be improved. OK build your own he heard. He and his brother William with investors created from various groups established the Packard Motor Car Co. In 1902 with James as President the new company moved to Detroit.
The Packard brand had a world-wide focus to the well heeled, with prices in-line with Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, about $3,000 at that time. An impressive 3.5 million square foot manufacturing plant designed by notable Detroit Architect Albert Kahn was built. This building #10, on East Grand Boulevard, in Detroit.
1924-1930 Packard was the top selling U.S. luxury brand and exported globally. Packard found markets in 61 countries, in 1912 Packard had Service Depots in over 100 cities. In 1931 Packard began manufacture in Canada.
Packard's engineering excellence is not surprising as they manufactured engines for aircraft and marine applications in the WWII era.
Goddess of Speed ornament introduced in 1925 on the Packard Eight, with others.
Aburn, Cord, Duesenberg - Indiana Bred
Ambition to build the finest, most powerful autos ... the Choice of Movie stars and Mobsters
Duesenberg J154, built 1929 -32. The ACD Story is lengthly involving ambitious and skilled engineers, salesmen, and corporate financiers.
Unlike Henry Ford's goal of a simple, reliable automobile, the ACD's were built to be the best in style, comfort and speed. The production numbers weren't large, financial troubles, and the Great Depression played a part, yet these cars are reknowned for performance and exquisite design.
German immigrant Duesenberg brothers were bycicle racers and builders, buggy builders, then engine builders. Best known for their 8 cylinder Dual overhead cam, 32- valve motors, with optional superchargers, first setting speed records in power boats. Duesenberg race cars won the 1924, 25, and 27 Indianapolis 500.
They were also the first to install 4-wheel hydraulic brakes. The 420 ci (7L) straight eights were built by Lycoming in Indianapolis, 265 & 350 hp supercharged. The cars were certified to exceed 100 mph. 89 mph in 2nd gear with the manual 3-speed transmission.
Fred Cord patented chrome pipes exiting the hood, standard on supercharged models, later optional on naturally aspirated models.
Duesbergs were typically sold chassis only, less bodies; Buyers could select from a number of coach builders to finish the job in their personal style. For the very wealthy.
Notice the hood emblem: it's called the Duesenbird. The term "its a Duesie" also from this over-the -top ride.
Carburetor engineer Harry Miller, is imvolved, but building exquisite,, powerful engines ... superchargers, front wheel drive, multi cylinder engines. Note that Dusenberg powered engines won Indianopis 500
1935 LaSalle Convertible. Developed by Cadillac to fill the gap between itself and Buick. The Mark lasted for 13 years, yet set design standards.
in 1938 failing Auburn was purchased by a Detroit entrepreneur who combined Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg, after WWII Duesenberg was sol off.
Cord's created a big splash, but total production was low. It was the first with front wheel drive making the achieve a low profile without running boards. The 810/812 was powered by a Lycoming V8 )289 ci) . It had roll up headlights, and a semi-automatic four speed transmission.
Model J Duesenberg Engine. 265 horse power (non-super charged) claimed to be the best engine of the day. 420 ci single overhead camshaft, Stromberg downdraft carb. Built for longevity. the double nickel steel heat treated crankshaft weighted 150 lbs, chassis auto-lubricated every 60-80 miles.
It's a Duesy
Duesenberg Created its own advertising ...
Auburn - going all out ...
Resting atop the Classic Cars of its day, the Auburn always gets noticed.
Auburn Boattail
1929 Auburn Boattail It's easy.
1934 V12 Auburn Speedster. Just 16 of these were built as the depression was closing in. The V12 Lycoming produced 160 horse power. Auburn was out of business before the end of the decade.
Cord ...
Determined to be different.
E. L. Cord Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.
Franklin ... (the amazing)
A Leader in design and reliability, Franklin set standards for decades
Early Franklins (about 1904) were competitively priced. A touring model priced at $1100 with a 4-cylinder transverse mounted engine, 2-speed transmission, produced 10 hp.
Between 1902 and 1934, Syracuse based Franklin built 150,000 cars. Lightweight, quality and maneuverability were design goals. Air Cooling its trademark quality. No water cooling freeze-ups prior to the use of anti freeze.
Most models utilized wood frames. Aluminum was used extensively both keeping weight down. Apart from air cooling, Franklin was technologically advanced - In 1902 Franklin firsts include: light weight ash frame, direct air cooling, 4 cylinder engine, (1906 first 6-cylinder engine) valve-in head design, float feed carburetor, over-square engine design, electric carb, throttle and spark advance, pressure engine oiling, aluminum pistons, case hardened crank shafts , etc. etc.
Founder H.H. Franklin and engineer John Wilkinson managed the company throughout its life. Never very profitable, it succumbed to bankruptcy in April 1934.
1905 Franklin Runabout ... a Gentleman's car
Franklin autos sold on reliability and intelligent design features. Doctors and professionals often repurchased Franklins.
Financial backers during the later years demanded features that added weight and were blamed for a part of the companies failure.
Photos: Gilmore Auto Museum
This 1932 Franklin was given a modern look, "the hood front" name was given in 1925 as others used radiators. Franklins utilized both puller and pusher fan set-ups to improve cooling.
French designer J. Frank DeCausse was brought in to give the Franklin a more conventional automotive look.
In 1906 a Franklin was driven from New York City to San Franciscan 15 days, setting a record and proving their reliability.
1939 Delahaye, Type 135M
Body by Swiss company Tuscher, a coachbuilder servives today.
Built for the 1935 French Alpine Rally by Delahaye, an early truck and performance car builder. This is one of only a few remaining 135s. This fully restored beauty was completed in 2017. Reportedly four built with this Tuscher bodies.It has an In-line 6 cylinder, 3.5L engine. Delahaye is located in Tours France. Gilmore Auto Museum.