for sale 1924 Maxwell Sport Touring *SOLD*

[Matt Harwood]

 

*SOLD* I will admit I don't know much about Maxwell, but I do like the look of this unusual 1924 Maxwell touring. My research suggests that the sidemount and cowl lights make it a sport touring, but what makes this one really stand apart is that unusual California-style top with sliding beveled glass windows. Looking it over, it has to have been installed in-period given the vintage-looking details. It was added to the standard touring body and looks very cleverly integrated, including wind wings that fold flat and seal up against the sliding windows. I've never seen anything like it but it's pretty cool. The car spent the entirety of its life in California and was brought to Ohio about 10 years ago by a collector with a large, eclectic collection and this was his first old car. He bought it like this and while it's not 100% authentic, someone obviously spent quite a bit of money on the restoration. The dark green bodywork is quite nicely done and holding up well and the leather interior has just the right amount of patina--I doubt it's original but it doesn't look too shiny and new. I like that. The brass lights should probably be nickel plated on a car of this vintage, but that's something you can change if you like and I have to admit I don't hate how it looks. I don't love the spotlights, but fortunately they're just bolted onto the windshield hinge and would be easy to remove if they're not your thing, either. A trunk out back makes it a bit practical, too. It's a substantial-looking car that looks far more expensive than it is.

 

Mechanically, this Maxwell feels ready to go. It starts easily and runs surprisingly quietly, not at all as crude as you'd expect for a low-cost car from 1924. Performance feels about like a Model A Ford, with good torque and an eager feeling that pulls the touring up to about 35 MPH without much work. It's currently running an electric fuel pump instead of a vacuum tank, which is in place but not connected. It's neatly detailed under the hood with a few easy-to-correct details to take it up a notch (hose clamps and some wires being the main offenders), but mechanically it seems quite healthy. The clutch is pretty smooth, shifts are easy if you double-clutch, and even though they're two-wheel external contracting brakes, they are freshly rebuilt and have pretty impressing stopping power. Disc wheels were a trademark Maxwell look and they carry older tires that might be due for a replacement if you're going touring but are not visually deteriorated.

 

It includes a complete tool set mounted on a show board, which is kind of neat. 

 

If you like the unusual, this certainly qualifies. It's also handsome and for the period, that's sometimes hard to achieve. It was obviously a quality restoration, even if it was 20 or 30 years ago, and for the most part, this little Maxwell is ready to use today. For only $17,900, it's another easy way to get into the hobby with a car that isn't the same-old, same-old. Thanks for looking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2019 by Matt Harwood (see edit history)

[auburnseeker]

Boy you do find some unusual but really nice stuff.  I really like some of the unusual stuff you turn up and offer well detailed and ready to go as well as the well written descriptions and very detailed photos.  Maybe someday I'll be a buyer for one. 

[sunnybaba]

On your web site.... under current inventory.... this Maxwell is listed with a price of $15,900.....   Which price is correct..??   Very nice car... for either price. 

[edinmass]

That’s a lot of car for very little money.

[Matt Harwood]

1 hour ago, sunnybaba said:

On your web site.... under current inventory.... this Maxwell is listed with a price of $15,900.....   Which price is correct..??   Very nice car... for either price. 

 

Sorry, $17,900 is the right price. We had a database crash and it was rebuilt from fragments so we're still sorting things out. Thanks, Google!

[Matt Harwood]

1 hour ago, auburnseeker said:

Boy you do find some unusual but really nice stuff.  I really like some of the unusual stuff you turn up and offer well detailed and ready to go as well as the well written descriptions and very detailed photos.  Maybe someday I'll be a buyer for one. 

 

Thanks, Randy. I probably do more than I should for all these cars we sell. I grumble about it frequently, but I want them to leave here ready to use and my guys know that the goal is for the new owner to take it off the trailer and take his or her spouse out to dinner immediately without any extra tinkering. Of course, that means I spend a lot of time and money that I never get back making them right--it's especially tough now that Dr. Francini has retired and I am mechanic-less until I find someone like him. That means I'm working in the office all day and fixing cars that aren't mine at night. But I don't like complaints or dealing with irate customers, so I do what it takes to make the cars work well even if it cuts into profits. It seems as though I'm unique in that regard, as every other car I've ever gotten from other dealers has shown up inop and with lots of needs. Do people just not complain and I'm paranoid, or do other dealers just ignore the complaints and skip the problems? I don't get it, so I just try to make them as good as possible before they leave. Not perfect, of course, but good enough to enjoy without spending a ton more cash. Maybe I'm a fool for doing it that way?
 

Anyway, thanks for the kind words. Coming from you, it really means a lot!

[auburnseeker]

I know what you mean.  I always buy them and no one ever tells me any of the many problems.  I find them all when I get home, then point them all out,  that I didn't get to fix to the next buyer if I didn't get everything done.  That 40 Ford I sold. I knew when the guy looked at it,  wasn't an old car guy,  so I wrote down starting instructions, All the different fluids each thing took, did a few last minute things I hadn't gotten to, including double check the fluids in everything,  then dropped the antifreeze and changed it as being in my heated garage I never bothered checking the Freeze protection and it wasn't up to par.  I also told the Roll back driver he's going to give you this much cash for towing it to him.  Any extra,  come back and I'll pay it.   Helps the Driver is a friend so he'll do that. 

 

As you know we are trying to promote the hobby,  not just profit from it, of course the profit gets put right back in when I make it,  one way or another. 

 

[TexRiv_63]

Great old car Matt. This is a perfect example of a golden opportunity for that younger car guy we all want to attract to our clubs to get into a nice prewar car for not much money. Being an orphan make and having that very unique top treatment just adds to the desirability. If I had not sworn off prewar cars I would probably be calling you myself!

[TerryB]

I like the name “Sport Touring”!  Nice car.

[kfle]

It is a maxwell Sport Touring though they were painted in Chester Hunt Red.  Great Maxwell at a great price!  Someone will be getting a good bargain and unique car to drive and take to shows.

[ericmac]

Matt, you certainly are treating people as everyone should. I admire your commitment to making sure the pay it forward part of the hobby is well taken care of.  This is a honey of a car!

[Matt Harwood]

SOLD! Thank you!

 

[Todd Maxwell]

In 1924 there was a red sport touring as well as a special green sport touring.  Not sure on the difference.