This book examines the history of the H.H. Franklin Company, which made significant contributions to the American automobile scene during the first third of the twentieth century. From 1902 to 1934, Franklin produced high quality, luxury cars, including America's only truly successful gasoline-powered motor car incorporating an air-cooled engine. Based on extensive research, author Sinclair Powell tells the story of the partnership of Herbert H. Franklin, skilled in business, advertising and public relations, and John Wilkinson, the engineer and designer who developed an automobile which was a pacesetter in its day. The book also describes how the Syracuse-based Franklin Company was a pioneer in research, production and employee relations. Covering the company's glory years, and its decline during the Depression, The Franklin Automobile Company, also humanizes the story via the reminiscences of surviving employees of the firm.

Classic Speedsters: The Cars, The Times, and The Characters Who Drove Them chronicles the most significant vehicles ever to have traveled American roads and racetracks. Speedsters were the pizzazz cars of their era. Speedsters were owned by entertainers, captains of industry, the wealthy, and in some cases, the everyday guy or gal. They were often expensive, but always fast and sexy. Speedsters were America's first sports cars.Each chapter frames the birth and evolution of a company that produced a speedster model in its lineup and includes a biography of a famous owner of the period. This book traces the journey of the speedster concept across several time periods and among twelve automotive companies. It answers three fundamental questions:· Why were these cars so important and influential?· Why did so many prominent people own them?· What message do they have for modern design?

The H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company made significant contributions to the American automobile industry during the first half of the twentieth century. Franklin produced high-quality luxury cars, including America's only truly successful gasoline-powered motor car incorporating an air cooled engine.

Among more than two hundred auto companies that tried their luck in the Motor City, just three remain: Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. But many of those lost to history have colorful stories worth telling. For instance, J.J. Cole forgot to put brakes in his new auto, so on the first test run, he had to drive it in circles until it ran out of gas. Brothers John and Horace Dodge often trashed saloons during wild evenings but used their great personal wealth to pay for the damage the next day (if they could remember where they had been). David D. Buick went from being the founder of his own leading auto company to working the information desk at the Detroit Board of Trade. Author Alan Naldrett explores these and more tales of automakers who ultimately failed but shaped the industry and designs putting wheels on the road today.

Publisher hand-cancel to specifications: "Tiffany" inked out [5x]. Leaves 3-10 verso with a b/w photographic image & drawing of a Franklin automobile, with descriptive text opposite. An uncommon trade catalogue from this upscale automobile manufacturer founded in 1902. This catalogue features 8 models: Touring Car, Four Passenger Roadster, Runabout, Cabriolet, Brougham, Sedan Town Car & Limosine. -- vendor's description.