Need Maxwell information

[Guest HeyPop]

While researching for information on York and the 'horseless carriage' era, I came across some advertisements in a 1915 Gazette that advertises the "Maxwell Cabriolet was made for you". Can anyone give me a quick story on the Maxwell and how long it was around. It was sold in York by the Snyder Automobile Co. on Market St. in the early 1900's. The picture in the advertisement actually looks like a Model T.

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

The Maxwell goes back to at least to 1910, probably earlier... and was in production until 1924-25, when it was replaced by the Chrysler Four. Maxwell had merged with Chalmers in the early '20's, and was acquired by Walter P. Chrysler.

Maxwell-Chalmers eventually became the Chrysler Corporation.

And for "Trivial Pursuit" purposes: radio, film, and television comedian Jack Benny owned a Maxwell touring car, which cartoon voice artist Mel Blanc provided the "sound effect" for on Benny's radio show. The car was often the subject of many jokes directed at the penny-pinching Benny.

Someone wiser than I will hopefully give us more specific information about the car and model you describe.

(You might also try contacting the Chrysler Historical Institute at Auburn Hills; they have quite an archive there....)

Frank McMullen

[Mike Bartlett]

Last week at the AACA show here in Orlando my Torpedo was parked on the show field next to an 06 Maxwell roadster.Without question one of the finest cars I ever saw.Two cylinder motor,right hand drive,no headlights(just dash lamps),it had a small trunk and the entire ignition system was Spiltdorf.It also had an exposed drive shaft just like modern day iron.If I remember correctly,it was one speed forward,one reverse(old brain might be wrong about that).He wanted to sell it for $42,000.00,I was $41,000.00 short or I would have bought it.GREAT little car.

[Guest BruceW]

I found the brief information on Maxwell automobiles below at the following URL:

http://www.clanmaxwellusa.com/maxcars.htm

For many Maxwells, the ultimate ?collectable? might be one of the 100,000 or so automobiles which carried the family name early in the last century. Few remain, and those which turn up from time to time command prices appropriate for the treasures which they are.

Maxwells were among the earliest motor cars on American roads, creations of Jonathan Dixon Maxwell (1864-1928), a native of Howard County, Indiana.

Jonathan Maxwell started out as a bicycle repairman, became a machinist, and worked in the railroad industry before joining the turn-of-the-century obsession with automobiles. Before 1900, he worked with Elwood Haynes in building an automobile which is now in the Smithsonian Institution, and he later worked with Eli Olds, developer of the Oldsmobile.

The first automobile to bear Maxwell?s name came in 1904, the Maxwell Runabout. With a two cylinder engine, the car sold for about $500. It was produced by the Maxwell-Briscoe Company which Jonathan Maxwell formed in 1903 with Benjamin Briscoe. As their company grew, it merged with another to become the United States Motor Company.

Maxwell and Briscoe parted company in 1912, but Jonathan Maxwell continued to produce cars under the banner of his own Maxwell Motor Company. At various times, he built cars in Tarrytown (NY), Pawtucket (RI), New Castle (IN), Detroit (MI), and Canada.

Maxwell automobiles were considered to be among the best racing machines of the era and won trophies to back up that reputation. In 1916, a Maxwell touring car set a coast-to-coast record, speeding from New Jersey to California in just ten days and sixteen hours. Another Maxwell challenged the Pennsylvania Railroad?s vaunted ?Congressional Limited,? racing the train over the forty miles from Washington to Baltimore and arriving just four minutes behind.

Other than by antique car buffs, Maxwell cars are most often remembered as Jack Benchoice, because Benny made comments about his old Maxwell a staple of his comedy routines. He and his sidekick, Rochester, worked his Maxwell into their act starting in the thirties and kept it there for another five decades.

Walter P. Chrysler joined the Maxwell Motor Company in 1921 and later became owner. He continued using the Maxwell name until 1925, and then phased it out. For several years, what had been the Maxwell was called the Chrysler Four. Then it became the Chrysler Plymouth. Finally, it was called the Plymouth, a name which has survived to the present. With a recent announcement that the Plymouth name will be dropped, however, the Maxwell automotive heritage comes to the end of the road ? almost a century after it began.

In their heyday, Maxwell motor cars were prized by their owners and sported the latest innovations. A 1921 advertisement touted the Maxwell?s ?wood artillary wheels, side curtains on really solid rods and supports, and a special curtain compartment in back of the front seat.?

Maxwells came along at a time when Americans were first discovering the freedom and just plain fun offered by revolutionary advancements in transportation. People were in love with their cars, and they even rhapsodized about them in song. One of the big hits of the era was ?Come Along with Me, Lucille, in My Merry Oldsmobile.? Another song, not as well known today but quite popular at the time, hit closer to home ? ?Mack?s Swell Car Was a Maxwell.?

--------------------------------

Hope it helps.

[Guest HeyPop]

Thanks gentlemen! That's the kind of response I would have expected from AACA folks. It sure will help with my project.

Bruce... I'll check out the site you mentiomed also.

[poci1957]

Mike, again, the Standard Catalog of American Cars will help you with this sort of question. I am interested in your research project, as I am working on similar research in my town (Decatur IL) at about the same time (1916-23). Decatur was home to two medium priced assembled cars, the Comet and Pan American, which are now forgotten. You are probably aware that York's William(?) Rosenmiller is a local collector of Pullmans and may be one to visit if possible. You are welcome to Email me with any questions and maybe your research could help me too. Best wishes, Todd Crews, Decatur IL (former York resident for 2 yrs and old car restorer)

[Guest HeyPop]

All my research started after reading Fred Rosenmillers & Ted Freeds book right after I purchased my first 2 model A's in 2000. It got me so interested in what went on in York, I even went out and located some of the old manufacturing buildings, took pictures and did a write up on them to display with my A when I take it to local shows. I'm concerned the way the downtown area of York s getting changed, they may be lost to 'progress'. The book, if anyone is interested, is titled:"Pictorial History of Pleasure and Commercial Vehicles Manufactured in York County, Pennsylvania". A real mouthful and out of print since 1977. After looking through the copy in at the Historical Society, I decided I needed to have a copy of my own. I found one on line and paid tooo much, but it's worth the price just for the information it gave me. According to it, there was no less than 11 car manufactures (19 if you count the limited production and one-of-a-kind) in York during the period of 1903 - 1928. I take it with me when I go into the library to research the old newspapers to verify the dates. I also discovered that the car the Lincoln Highway Garage has that for years everyone thought was a Pullman is actually a Rickenbacker. I went to school with Lynn Haines the owner of the car and I believe part owner of the garage. His grandfather was Malon Haines, The Shoe Wizard. He built the shoehouse you see (actually in Hallam) along route 30 bypass as you drive from Columbia to York. That's a neat story too. Welll.. that's enough rambling, once I get started I can't stop sharing all the neat stuff I discovered over the last couple years. Thanks again, I'll definitely look up that book the next trip to the library. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[R W Burgess]

Hey Pop! Wait a minute, you can't drop that kind of info (shoehouse) on us and leave. I've been looking at that building for 30 years and not known a thing about it. That's a big problem with truckers. They see all the exciting landmarks along their travels and never have time to stop, ask questions, and smell the roses so to speak. Although I did stop by and see Pete Heizmann's factory this year, sorry about those street signs, Pedro! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Just send the bill to me. Wayne

[Guest]

Man, this talk of Pennsylvania cars reminds me sadly of a 1922 Standard V8 sedan made in Butler PA. I was all set to buy it from a local car dealer {now deceased} who quoted me a reasonable price but then changed his mind {and the price} when I brought the cash with me. He sold it shortly thereafter to the Butler county historical society who I believe have it still. His response was "why should I sell it to you when I can get $5.000.00 more from somebody else" No arguing with that logic.

[Guest HeyPop]

R.W.. I know how folks hate it when a thread starts out on one subject then slowly segways to another but...

Mahlon Haines was a shoe entrepeneur (spelling?) back in the early 1900's. He was notorius for his whacky way of presenting things. The shoehouse was just one but the fact that it's still here is a legacy to his way out ways. He had built it in the late 1940's to give older couple a place to go for a 'pampered' stay. Kinda an early bed and breakfast for us old folk. It had 2 bedroom, 2 baths, a kitchen and living room in that little boot.It was later used as a honeymoon cottage. First for just his employees then for the public for a while. I believe a private person bought it and turned it into an ice cream smorgasboard up until mid 1980's then the family got it back and it's now a museum. I don't know the hours. I used to take my kids over when they were small and tell them the "little old lady in the shoe" really did exist. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[R W Burgess]

Hey Pop, I had no idea the Shoe was that old. I didn't think route 30 was built in the that area that long ago, or was the building moved? You don't see many interesting buildings like that anymore. That was the neat thing about Route 66 I guess. Looks like nowadays all travelers are too busy to stop and check out things anymore. Thanks for the info. Wayne

[Guest HeyPop]

R.W.

You're traveling along route 30 bypass. The shoe is actually accessable from old route 30 or 462. Old route 30 has been around forever. It was actually a main route of transportation for 200 years. Played a big part during the civil war and was a main route across the state of Pa. The bridge you see to the south from the Wrightsville-Columbia bridge was actually a toll bridge at one time and also had a small wooden bridge to it's north (piliongs are still visable) that was burned during the Civil War (1863 by General Frick from York), rebuilt afterward and use also as a railway bridge and torn down back in the early 1960's torn down again because of deterioration. It's got a history of it's own. You don't want to get me stared there...

If you want to 'swing by' the shoehouse some day you can get there from a couple exits. The best from East or west along 30, get off at the Hallam exit (next one after Wrightsville from the east and next one past Rt 24 / Longstown / Galeria Mall from the west). Turn right and go past the Stauffer's Nursery (on the right across from car lots). You'll see some of those rentable storage sheds on your right. Turn at the road just before them... I believe it's caled Shoehouse Road... go figure! It's back there about a quarter mile. The doghouse on the site is also a shoehouse. After you leave it's just a matter of taking a right back onto 462 (where you turned into the shoehouse) and following 462 to the Mt. Zion road light (approx. 1 1/4 mile) Hopefully your rig isn't too big to do all this navigating. Enjoy! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest BruceW]

Our region visited and toured the Shoehouse during a weekend trip a few years back. From the top of the shoe, you can see for miles. You can also get icecream there during the summer. Unusual but interesting piece of local history.

[R W Burgess]

Thanks HeyPop! Pete Heizmann was telling me about the bridge beside his foundry building and the Civil War history. He has an interesting story to tell. Looks like the tread has taken a new direction, but history is never boring,unless you're on the losing side that is! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Tom Deering]

HeyPop,

What was in that multi-story red brick industial building on the north edge of Columbia? The last time I saw it, demolition appeared to be in progress. It was located in the southeast quadrant of Pa Hwy 441 and U.S. 30? Could that have been one of the old auto manufacturing facilities?

Thanks, Tom

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

Not to "dis" ol' Route 66, but around here, US 30 used to be known as the Lincoln Highway...perhaps the "orginal" Lincoln Highway?

[Tom Deering]

Frank,

The only "Lincoln Highway" of which I am aware, was U.S. 30. From roughly Ohio or Indiana, it has been superseded by I-80 at least as far west as Salt Lake City. Old 66 dropped south out of Chicago whereas The Lincoln Highway ran east and west from the south side of Chicago.

Tom

[R W Burgess]

I attended a very good seminar at Philly on the Lincoln Highway presented by Bob Lichty of Ohio. He had a very good slide presentation, but I didn't see any attractive scenery or motels and gas stations like my book on Route 66 shows. I'm wondering if anyone has a book on the Lincoln Highway that shows great attractions like Route 66? Wayne

[Guest HeyPop]

Again folks... don't confuse Route 30 bypass with the original Rt30. Because of the way the highway departments designate the major traffic lanes, interstate highways can also have local numbers as well. (you all know that I'm sure) If you look at the York county map book you'll see that local streets and roads that already have another route name are even designated as route 30 and even 83 in certain places to show truck routes I believe. The Lincoln Highway, route 462 and route 30 are the same stretch. The bypass is also called route 30 but is 4 lanes of road. The original Lincoln Hwy, Rt 30 and Rt 462 is a local, usually 2 lane road. In some instances out in western Pa, it's about as winding and slow as can be, but beautiful. If you would start around Philly and travel rt 30 (Lincoln Hwy) you would be traveling some of the most historic and scenic roadways in the country all the way to the western border of Pa. But... be aware it's gonna take forever! The majority of the areas the Lincoln Hwy travels through have speed limits averaging 35-45 mph, with a few areas getting up to 55 and some stretches going down to 25. The 30 bypass on the other hand only runs from the west side of York to just east of Lancaster. Heading west once you get off the bypass at the end ramp you can either go directly into York or going west, travel through Thomasville, through Gettysburg, Chambersburg, and onward. On the eastern end of the bypass, once you get off the 4 lanes you head through the Amish country (gotta stop for shoo fly pie of course), the Gap, Strasburg, Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, Blue Ball... need I go on? I always tell folks I had the prettiest part of the state when I was still working. I was in charge of engineering and maintenance for GTE's 380 buildings in the Eastern and South Eastern part of the state. If you folded the map of PA in half, I had the whole right half. Everything from a building 8 x 8 to buildings with 350 people in them in Hershey. I made sure during the year I'd visit each one at least twice. made for a lot of windshield time but great scenery!

To answer the question on the building in Columbia, no it isn't one of the automobile manufacturing plants I mentioned earlier. I have a feeling the one you're talking about was a warehouse at one time. It's right beside a Hardee's or Burgler King I believe. There were rumors of it being considered as a multi-apartment complex but after inspection was in such bad shape it was condemed. It's still not completely down. I think the owner is dragging his feet and only doing the minimum to satisfy the borough.

[R W Burgess]

HeyPop, I too wondered about that building on my travels to Marietta, Pa. It sure looks like a factory of some sort from the turn of the century. It's a shame the apartment plan fell through. I'm sure the scenery would be breathtaking from the top floor overlooking the river. Wayne

[Tom Deering]

Thanks to the sponsors of the Columbia, Pa web site, who responded to my e-mal inquiry; the "mystery building's" past is revealed. It was a silk mill. Not very exciting huh?

Tom

[R W Burgess]

Tom, I'd say it was very exciting during the turn of the century when jobs were scarse. I had at least 2 great aunts and uncles who left home as young people to travel far from home, at that time, to find a good job. I think it's terrible that these old buildings aren't restored or converted to living quarters before it's too late. Like HVS would say, just my opinion. Wayne