LOT 24 ¤

1923 Maxwell Model 25 Touring "The Good Maxwell" Chassis no. 424798 Engine no. C456166

Sold for US$15,680 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 24^¤

Used by Jack Benny when performing at Harrah's Lake Tahoe
1923 Maxwell Model 25 Touring "The Good Maxwell"

The National Automobile Museum Auction|13 June 2026, 10:00 PDT|Reno, National Automobile Museum

1923 Maxwell Model 25 Touring "The Good Maxwell"
Chassis no. 424798
Engine no. C456166

185.8ci L-Head Inline Four-Cylinder
Single Detroit Lubricator Carburetor
27bhp
Three-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Rear Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes

* Remarkably successful and reliable
* Marketed as "The Good Maxwell"
* Acquired by Harrah's in 1962, restored the same year
* Used by Jack Benny when performing at Harrah's Lake Tahoe

THE CAR OFFERED

This 1923 Maxwell Model 25 Touring was acquired by Harrah's in May 1962 from Larry Peterson in Norwalk, California. It was immediately rushed to the Harrah's shop where its restoration was completed in just two months. The quick restoration was because Jack Benny was appearing at Harrah's Lake Tahoe and Benny had for years been associated with owning a Maxwell. In Jack Benny's case his affection for "The Good Maxwell" was because he, a legendary skinflint, wouldn't pay up for a new car.

The Maxwell and Jack Benny became synonymous, not to mention his sidekick Rochester's tribulations keeping the Maxwell running. This Maxwell was used for years at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in Jack Benny performances and is probably the only Maxwell definitively known to be associated with Jack Benny.

It is a Harrah's Gold Star restoration with AC drum speedometer, disc wheels, 31x4 tires, Monogram headlights, a folding windshield and rear-mounted spare. Well preserved and in good shape, it has been stored without coolant or fuel for years.

And it deserves a Rochester/Jack Benny dialog:

Rochester: Your car has been stolen.
Benny: My Maxwell, stolen? I mean, when did this happen?
Rochester: Two hours ago.
Benny: Why didn't you call me earlier?
Rochester: I just stopped laughing. ...
Benny: [Chagrined] Yesterday I put in five gallons of gas. ...
Benny: [Call the Beverly Hills Police] they're always on their toes.
Rochester: They could be on their knees and catch that car.

Not true, but good for a laugh in 1950s television.

Footnotes

Titled under its engine number.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Buyers Premium and Charges
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyer's premium.
For MOTORCAR property the premium is 12% of the final bid price.
Collection Notices
LOT COLLECTION DEADLINE: 12pm PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Motor Vehicle:
Uncollected Motor Vehicle Lots following the Collection Deadline will be uplifted and stored by Passport Auto Transport. Uplift and storage shall be at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Motor vehicle removal and storage charges will be charged by Passport Auto Transport according to its standard rates and ultimate destination of the vehicle(s). For applicable charges, please consult with Passport in advance of purchase.
Purchased lots become the buyer's risk once the hammer falls. Storage, collection, and uplift for paid and unpaid lot removal is at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Overseas buyers are strongly advised to make collection arrangements with Bonhams in advance of the auction. Buyers may have an authorised agent collect their purchases according to the collection deadline.
It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that their designated agent has the auction venue details, bill of lading showing where the lot will be transported and proof of the buyer authorization for collection of the lot(s). Bonhams will release the lot only once all payment requirements have been met including payment of taxes and any applicable fees. Buyers and/or their agent are responsible for collecting all available parts, logbooks, title, keys and any other accompanying documents.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Representatives of Bonhams|Cars preferred carriers are available on site to provide shipping quotes and transport information.
Domestic Motorcar Transport:
Passport Auto Transport Contact:
Ed Watts, +1 (417) 588 4921 or mobile +1 (314) 496 6228 [email protected]
International Motorcar and Motorcycle Transport:
Schumacher Cargo Logistics Schumacher Secure
Contact: Warren Barnes, +1 (310) 626 7117
[email protected]
International Motorcar Transport:
CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services)
Contact: Denise Rodriguez, +1 (305) 849 9326
[email protected]
Payment Notices
Payment Deadline: 12pm PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Cashiering Hours:
Saturday, June 13, during the auction
Sunday, June 14, 8:30am to 5:30pm
Monday, June 15, 8:30am to 12pm
Shipping Notices
LOT COLLECTION DEADLINE: 12pm PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Motor Vehicle:
Uncollected Motor Vehicle Lots following the Collection Deadline will be uplifted and stored by Passport Auto Transport. Uplift and storage shall be at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Motor vehicle removal and storage charges will be charged by Passport Auto Transport according to its standard rates and ultimate destination of the vehicle(s). For applicable charges, please consult with Passport in advance of purchase.
Purchased lots become the buyer's risk once the hammer falls. Storage, collection, and uplift for paid and unpaid lot removal is at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Overseas buyers are strongly advised to make collection arrangements with Bonhams in advance of the auction. Buyers may have an authorised agent collect their purchases according to the collection deadline.
It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that their designated agent has the auction venue details, bill of lading showing where the lot will be transported and proof of the buyer authorization for collection of the lot(s). Bonhams will release the lot only once all payment requirements have been met including payment of taxes and any applicable fees. Buyers and/or their agent are responsible for collecting all available parts, logbooks, title, keys and any other accompanying documents.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Representatives of Bonhams|Cars preferred carriers are available on site to provide shipping quotes and transport information.
Domestic Motorcar Transport:
Passport Auto Transport Contact:
Ed Watts, +1 (417) 588 4921 or mobile +1 (314) 496 6228 [email protected]
International Motorcar and Motorcycle Transport:
Schumacher Cargo Logistics Schumacher Secure
Contact: Warren Barnes, +1 (310) 626 7117
[email protected]
International Motorcar Transport:
CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services)
Contact: Denise Rodriguez, +1 (305) 849 9326
[email protected]

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¤	No Reserve
	Unless indicated by the ¤ symbol next to the lot number (or bearing an explicit statement such as "No Reserve" or "Without Reserve"), which denotes no reserve, all lots in the catalog are subject to a reserve. The reserve is the minimum hammer price that the seller is willing to accept for a lot. This amount is confidential and does not exceed the low estimate value.