LOT 188
1912 Maxwell Special Touring Chassis no. 87475 Engine no. 1579
Sold for US$28,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 188
1912 Maxwell Special Touring
1912 Maxwell Special Touring
Chassis no. 87475
Engine no. 1579
Chassis no. 87475
Engine no. 1579
4,610cc OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
36hp at 2,600rpm
Single Stromberg Carburetor
3-Speed Sliding Gear Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
2-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
*Offered from the Two Generations Collection
*Powerful 36hp 4-Cylinder Engine
*Delightful green and black color scheme
*Great car for HCCA Tours and other Brass tours
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Benjamin Briscoe established his fortune as a sheet metal manufacturer in Detroit and part of that fortune he invested in David Dunbar Buick's infant motor company. Anxious about that investment, he hired Jonathan D. Maxwell, who had already had experience with both Oldsmobile and Northern, to set up his own motor car manufacturing plant. With the financial backing of J.P.Morgan he established the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company in Tarrytown, New York.
Sound engineering was complemented by a series of headline-grabbing publicity stunts that helped boost sales, none more successful than a transcontinental trip from New York to San Francisco undertaken by a team of four lady drivers in 1909. The following year the firm sold over 20,000 cars, a total exceeded only by Ford and Buick.
From 1911 Maxwell offered five production models; at their base was the latest twin cylinder, and this was joined by four 4-cylinder models, of increasing horsepower and wheelbase length. The following year the line-up was refined, with specific names, Messenger (twin), Mascotte (four 25hp) and Mercury (four 30hp). To these was added the Special, an altogether larger car with 36hp and riding on a 114-inch wheelbase, of which this is a rare surviving example.
The early history of this car is unfortunately not known, but according to the former ownership it was purchased from the original family in 1995 in Ashland, NE by active HCCA member Robert Reichwalt. It would remain in his car until his passing and was one of his favorite touring cars. Between 2010-2012 Mr. Reichwalt restored the car, with most the work carried out himself.
Sold at Bonhams 2021 Scottsdale auction, the car passed into the current collection, joining more than 50 predominantly early cars, it has been unused since that time and should be carefully checked over prior to road use. The remainder of this group will be sold as part of Bonhams Two Generations Collection auction on April 29, in Newport, Rhode Island.
36hp at 2,600rpm
Single Stromberg Carburetor
3-Speed Sliding Gear Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
2-Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
*Offered from the Two Generations Collection
*Powerful 36hp 4-Cylinder Engine
*Delightful green and black color scheme
*Great car for HCCA Tours and other Brass tours
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Benjamin Briscoe established his fortune as a sheet metal manufacturer in Detroit and part of that fortune he invested in David Dunbar Buick's infant motor company. Anxious about that investment, he hired Jonathan D. Maxwell, who had already had experience with both Oldsmobile and Northern, to set up his own motor car manufacturing plant. With the financial backing of J.P.Morgan he established the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company in Tarrytown, New York.
Sound engineering was complemented by a series of headline-grabbing publicity stunts that helped boost sales, none more successful than a transcontinental trip from New York to San Francisco undertaken by a team of four lady drivers in 1909. The following year the firm sold over 20,000 cars, a total exceeded only by Ford and Buick.
From 1911 Maxwell offered five production models; at their base was the latest twin cylinder, and this was joined by four 4-cylinder models, of increasing horsepower and wheelbase length. The following year the line-up was refined, with specific names, Messenger (twin), Mascotte (four 25hp) and Mercury (four 30hp). To these was added the Special, an altogether larger car with 36hp and riding on a 114-inch wheelbase, of which this is a rare surviving example.
The early history of this car is unfortunately not known, but according to the former ownership it was purchased from the original family in 1995 in Ashland, NE by active HCCA member Robert Reichwalt. It would remain in his car until his passing and was one of his favorite touring cars. Between 2010-2012 Mr. Reichwalt restored the car, with most the work carried out himself.
Sold at Bonhams 2021 Scottsdale auction, the car passed into the current collection, joining more than 50 predominantly early cars, it has been unused since that time and should be carefully checked over prior to road use. The remainder of this group will be sold as part of Bonhams Two Generations Collection auction on April 29, in Newport, Rhode Island.
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