Lot 301: Maxwell Model 25 Tourer

Largely overlooked today, in 1909 Maxwell was the third largest-selling automobile manufacturer in the United States, trailing only Ford and Buick. The marque figured prominently both in the development of the automobile in the U.S. and in the evolution of the American automobile industry.It was a time of ebullient financial manipulations, enthusiastically practiced by both skilled and neophyte manipulators. Maxwell was backed by Ben Briscoe, whose sheet metal company in Detroit was raking in millions making auto parts. Briscoe in turn had the ear of J.P. Morgan and access to financial backing from Morgan and his cohorts. Briscoe tried to rationalize production by gathering several marques under the umbrella of the United States Motor Company in emulation of Billy Durant's General Motors. Like Billy, Ben was a better promoter than manager and U.S. Motors floundered but its Tarrytown, New York factory was acquired by none other than Durant to manufacture his new Chevrolet automobile. Maxwell continued on its own with a factory in Detroit but hit hard times in the early Twenties. Its design and factory were again sold and in 1926 a redesigned Maxwell was introduced with a new name: Chrysler.Designed by Jonathan Maxwell, an engineer with experience at Olds and with an earlier automobile design to his credit at Northern, Maxwell quickly graduated from two-cylinder buggies to sound, economical, reliable, four-cylinder automobiles with camshaft-actuated intake and exhaust valves, thermosyphon cooling, shaft drive, and three-speed sliding gear transmissions in 1906. Maxwells performed admirably in the Glidden Tours against automobiles of much greater cost and complexity. A Maxwell won its class in the Mt. Washington hillclimb.The company excelled at team events which highlighted Maxwells' reliability and achieved some racing success on the strength of the steady performance of a group of Maxwells as other marques dropped one or more cars from their teams. They also excelled at the promotional stunts so popular in the day including the ubiquitous stair climbing stunts which emulated the steep, erratic, bumpy, potholed roads then prevalent in the U.S.1917, the year of the Maxwell offered here, was especially important in Maxwell history as it saw the production of the 100,000th Maxwell vehicle. Liveried in deep green with black-accented wings, black interior and top, this Model 25 Maxwell Tourer is typical of the lively, sound, practical automobiles built by Maxwell. The varnished wood-spoke wheels and plentiful brass trim on the radiator surround, headlight rims and windshield frame add a touch of elegance and style.A notch above its competition in performance, style and presentation, Maxwells gave excellent value for money and were noted for their reliability and longevity. That may be why show business figure, pianist, comedian - and legendary cheapskate - Jack Benny chose a Maxwell, at least in the material for his vaudeville, radio and television skits.