The Doctor's Car

[Walt G]

this page is from a folder published by the Franklin Company in September 1926. Franklin got a reputation as "the Doctor's car" and specifically created this folder in their advertising department to focus on a particular profession. The meaning was that even in cold winter months or hot summer months a Franklin would start with out any worry of having a frozen radiator of overheat that would restrict use. the catalog is 10 pages long and quotes many Doctors about Franklin reliability, etc. from physicians  all over the USA

[theKiwi]

Hey I have a 1926 Sedan - just call me Doctor Moffat - well actually that's my brother...

 

Roger

[rjp]

I have a very nice 1926 Victoria, farmer no doctor.   Roger

[Akstraw]

Thanks for posting this piece of Franklin history.  Not the only car company to ever include doctors in its marketing.  I seem to recall having seen that Maxwell advertised a “Doctor’s Special” around 1910 or so.

[JV Puleo]

From the very beginning of the automotive age Doctors were a major sales target. In the age when they customarily made house calls, to a much greater extent than the general public they were dependent on horses and it was not at all unusual for a doctor to have to keep 3 or 4 in order to be certain to have one at hand if he had to rush out on a call...day or night. As such, the early advertisements that touted how much the new "motors" could save (which were often exaggerated) were reasonably accurate in the case of doctors. As professional men, they could usually afford at least the "middle range" early cars and a very large percentage were already spending as much on their horses. For them, it was a logical business decision rather than an extravagance. This was probably true right through the 1920s, if not later. A car like the Franklin, which was comfortable, beautifully built and very reliable would have been an excellent choice.

[hook]

5 hours ago, JV Puleo said:

From the very beginning of the automotive age Doctors were a major sales target. In the age when they customarily made house calls, to a much greater extent than the general public they were dependent on horses and it was not at all unusual for a doctor to have to keep 3 or 4 in order to be certain to have one at hand if he had to rush out on a call...day or night. As such, the early advertisements that touted how much the new "motors" could save (which were often exaggerated) were reasonably accurate in the case of doctors. As professional men, they could usually afford at least the "middle range" early cars and a very large percentage were already spending as much on their horses. For them, it was a logical business decision rather than an extravagance. This was probably true right through the 1920s, if not later. A car like the Franklin, which was comfortable, beautifully built and very reliable would have been an excellent choice.

Not only what you said, but the fact that Franklins were air cooled made them accessible year around without having to use alcohol or draining the system each night. This was pushed as a sales plus to Doctors as well.

[edinmass]

23 minutes ago, hook said:

Not only what you said, but the fact that Franklins were air cooled made them accessible year around without having to use alcohol or draining the system each night. This was pushed as a sales plus to Doctors as well.

My father was dirt poor in the depression, and he often talked about guys leaving the shop every few hours to warmup the cars since they did t have antifreeze. It was drain and fill every day. He once had a car freeze due too a cold snap even though they were running it during the day. Times were hard, and work in the freezing cold meant nothing………..people were hard back then. 

Edited May 30, 2022 by edinmass (see edit history)

[PFitz]

And a stretcher will fit across the rear of a touring car body - like they did with Army jeeps.  I guess we have a 26 Doctor's "ambulance" in the family. 😁 

 

Paul