HH Franklin Manufacturing Company

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HH Franklin Manufacturing Company
legal form Company
founding 1893
resolution 1934
Seat Syracuse , New York , USA
management Herbert H. Franklin
Branch Automobiles

Franklin from 1904
Franklin Type A from 1905
Franklin Type E from 1905
Franklin Model G from 1907
Franklin Model G from 1910
Franklin Model D from 1911
Franklin Model D from 1912
Franklin Model Six-30 from 1916
Franklin Series 9 from 1919
Franklin Series 9-B from 1921
Franklin Series 9-B from 1922
Franklin Model 11 from 1925
Franklin Model 11-A from 1926
Franklin Model 11-B from 1927
Franklin Airman from 1928
Franklin Model 135 from 1929
Franklin Model 137 from 1929
Franklin Model 147 from 1930
Franklin Series 15 from 1931
Franklin Airman from 1932
Franklin Twelve from 1932
Franklin Twelve from 1933
Franklin Olympic from 1934
Six-cylinder engine from a 1928 Franklin Airman

HH Franklin Manufacturing Company was an American manufacturer of automobiles .

Company history

Herbert H. Franklin founded the company in 1893. The seat was in Syracuse , New York . Initially it was active in the die casting sector.

The young engineer John Wilkinson came from Cornell University . In 1901 he had made two prototypes for the New York Automobile Company , but they were not interested and did not pay him. The investor Alexander T. Brown made sure that Wilkinson came into contact with Franklin. He was enthusiastic about the vehicles, hired Wilkinson, took over the New York Automobile Company and began producing automobiles. The brand name was Franklin . The first vehicle was sold on June 23, 1902. The buyer was SG Averill from New York City . In the same year twelve more vehicles followed.

Annual production increased steadily through 1907 and ranged from 1,500 to 2,400 vehicles from 1908 to 1914. From 1915 the numbers rose again. In 1920 a five-digit number of vehicles was created for the first time.

Commercial vehicles were also produced between 1905 and 1912 .

In the summer of 1923, the dealers asked for a major visual change in the vehicles so that they looked more like other vehicles. Wilkinson left the company in protest. J. Frank de Causse became the new designer. The first vehicles he designed were introduced in March 1925. After his death in 1928, Raymond Dietrich became a new designer.

The best year was 1929 with 14,432 vehicles. After that, the numbers fell rapidly. In 1934 only 360 vehicles were built.

Financial problems arose. Although Herbert Franklin said that the company was still solvent despite debts, the banks arranged for the company to be liquidated in 1934. In total, over 150,000 vehicles were built in over 30 years. Of these, around 3700 should still exist.

Air Cooled Motors Corporation , led by former Franklin engineers Carl Doman and Edwards Marks, took over the plant and manufactured engines for airplanes and helicopters . As the Franklin Engine Company , this company was active until the 1970s.

vehicles

A special feature of all vehicles was the air cooling of the engines. Franklin was the longest-lived and most successful US vehicle manufacturer using this technology. In addition, all engines had OHV valve control .

The system of model names changed several times. Many models were available with different bodies as shown in the table below.

In 1902 there was only one model in the range. There was a four-cylinder engine of 1,700 cc displacement and a 10 hp power, the transverse was mounted in the vehicle. The engine power was transmitted to the rear axle via a two-speed planetary gearbox and a chain. The frame was made of wood. The wheels were wire spoke wheels. The body was an open runabout . The suspension with fully elliptical springs was praised and is said to have been responsible for the low tire wear.

In 1903 the vehicle got wooden wheels. The chassis had a wheelbase of 183 cm . The setup was still a runabout.

In 1904 there were six types that differed in terms of engine power, wheelbase and superstructures. Type A , Type B and Type F had 12 hp and 208 cm wheelbase, while Type E with the same engine had only 188 cm wheelbase. In the Type D with 254 cm wheelbase, the engine developed 20 hp and in the Type C with 279 cm wheelbase, 30 hp.

In 1905 the engines were moved to the front. The engines didn't change. Type A , Type B and Type E now had 203 cm wheelbase and Type C 272 cm wheelbase. Type D remained unchanged. Type F was omitted. Engine cooling fans were now available.

In 1906 Type E and Type G had the small engine with 12 hp and wheelbases of 207 cm and 224 cm respectively. The Type D with 20 hp was available with both 254 cm and 292 cm wheelbases. The Type H was new with a six-cylinder engine that developed 30 hp. Its wheelbase was 290 cm.

In 1907 the model D with 20 HP and 267 cm wheelbase, the Model G with 12 HP and 229 cm wheelbase and the Model H with 30 HP and 323 cm wheelbase were in the range.

In 1908 only the engine output changed to 28 HP, 16 HP and 42 HP.

In 1909 the Model D got a 269 ​​cm wheelbase. The Model G now had 18 hp and a wheelbase of 232 cm. The Model H remained unchanged.

In 1910 the fan was integrated into the flywheel of the engine. The Model D was now also available with a longer wheelbase of 283 cm. In Model G and Model H there were no changes. The new Model K largely corresponded to the Model G and was also used as a taxi .

In 1911, Model G was available with both 254 cm and 274 cm wheelbases. The new Model M also had a 274 cm wheelbase, but a more powerful engine with 25 hp. The Model H now had 48 hp and a wheelbase of either 320 cm or 338 cm. The Model D was a new development with a six-cylinder engine that made 38 hp. The wheelbase was 312 cm. The Model K introduced in the previous year is not mentioned.

In 1912 the Model D and the short Model G remained unchanged. The long Model G now had a wheelbase of 262 cm. In addition, its engine power had been increased to 25 hp. The Model H was only available with the short wheelbase. Its engine output had been reduced to 38 hp. There was also the model K-6 with 18 hp and 254 cm wheelbase as a taxi. The Model M now had a six-cylinder engine with 30 hp and a 295 cm wheelbase.

In 1913 the model K-6 was discontinued . The previous Model M was now called Model M Litte Six . This was the final year for four-cylinder models.

In 1914 the one-model policy began. The Model Six-30 had a six-cylinder engine that was specified with 31.6 hp. The wheelbase was 305 cm.

In 1915 and 1916 there were no changes, apart from the superstructure.

Series 9 was introduced in 1917 . The engine was now specified with 25.35 hp. The wheelbase was 292 cm.

In 1918 and 1919, only the superstructures changed.

In 1920 it became the Series 9-B . The wheelbase remained unchanged. The engine was now specified with 25.3 hp.

In 1921 and 1922 the engine power was given as 25 hp.

In 1923 the Model 10 was on offer. Its data did not differ from the previous model.

In 1924 it became the Model 10-B .

1925 saw a name change to Model 10-C . In the same year, attempts by James Yarian on a smaller model called the Model Z with a four-cylinder engine were abandoned.

In 1926 the Model 11-A , designed by de Causse, appeared. Franklin stated 32 hp. The wheelbase was 302 cm. Striking was the dummy of a grille . A Speedster had a special body with a long, low body and a boat tail.

The Model 11-B followed in 1927 .

For 1928 the source lists two Airman named after Charles Lindbergh . However, 46 hp engine power and 302 cm wheelbase were identical. The structures and the prices differed. It was not until 1928 that Franklin gave up the wooden frame that had always been used until now and used a steel frame. Four-wheel brakes were available for the first time.

In 1929 the range was expanded again. The model 130 had the previous engine with 46 hp and a chassis with a 305 cm wheelbase. Model 135 and Model 137 shared the engine with 60 hp, but differed in terms of the wheelbase, which was specified as 318 cm and 335 cm.

In 1930 the weak model was discontinued. For Model 145 and Model 147 engines contributed 87 hp. The displacement was 4490 cm³. The values ​​for the wheelbases corresponded to the previous year's models.

In 1931 it became the Series 15 with both wheelbases and the Series 15 De Luxe with the long wheelbase. The engines now made 100 hp.

In 1932 there was only the Airman . 100 hp and 335 cm wheelbase have been handed down.

In 1933 the Airman remained unchanged. The Olympic was introduced as the basic model . The chassis and body were supplied by Reo Motor Car Company and corresponded to the Reo Flying Cloud . Franklin installed his own 100 horsepower engine, a different hood, and his own emblems on the hubcaps and where the REO had a water temperature gauge on the dashboard . The Twelve appeared as the new top model . It had a V12 engine with 6810 cc and 150 hp. The wheelbase was 366 cm.

There were no changes in 1934.

Model overview

year model cylinder Power ( hp ) Wheelbase (cm) construction
1902 Four 4th Runabout
1903 Four 4th 10 183 Runabout
1904 Type A 4th 12 208 Light Runabout 2-seater and 4-seater
1904 Type B 4th 12 208 Light tonneau 4-seater
1904 Type C 4th 30th 279 Side Entrance Tonneau 5-seater
1904 Type D 4th 20th 254 Light touring car, 5-seater
1904 Type E 4th 12 188 Gentleman's runabout
1904 Type F 4th 12 208 Light tonneau 4-seater
1905 Type A 4th 12 203 Runabout, Detachable Tonneau
1905 Type B 4th 12 203 Touring car
1905 Type C 4th 30th 272 Touring car
1905 Type D 4th 20th 254 Touring car
1905 Type E 4th 12 203 Runabout
1906 Type D 4th 20th 254 5-seater touring car
1906 Type D 4th 20th 292 5-seater sedan
1906 Type E 4th 12 207 Runabout 2-seater
1906 Type G 4th 12 224 5-seater touring car
1906 Type H 6th 30th 290 5-seater touring car
1907 Model D 4th 20th 267 5-seater touring car, 2-seater runabout, 5-seater landaulet
1907 Model G 4th 12 229 Runabout 2-seater, touring car 4-seater
1907 Model H 6th 30th 323 7-seater touring car, 2-seater runabout, 5-seater limousine
1908 Model D 4th 28 267 Touring car, Surrey-Seat Runabout, Landaulet
1908 Model G 4th 16 229 Touring car, runabout, brougham , landaulet
1908 Model H 6th 42 323 Touring cars, limousines, runabouts
1909 Model D 4th 28 269 Touring car 5-seater, Cape Top Touring car 5-seater, Runabout Single Rumble, Runabout Double Rumble, Landaulet
1909 Model G 4th 18th 232 Touring car 4-seater, Cape Top Touring car 4-seater, Brougham, Landaulet
1909 Model H 6th 42 323 7-seater touring car, 7-seater Cape Top touring car, limousine
1910 Model D 4th 28 269 Touring car 5-seater, Surrey 4-seater
1910 Model D 4th 28 283 6-seater sedan, 6-seater landaulet
1910 Model G 4th 18th 232 5-seater touring cars, 2-seater and 4-seater runabouts
1910 Model H 6th 42 323 7-seater touring car, 4-seater Surrey, 7-seater sedan
1910 Model K 4th 18th 232 Town car , taxicab
1911 Model D 6th 38 312 Torpedo Phaeton 4-seater, touring car 5-seater, sedan 6-seater, Landaulet 6-seater
1911 Model G 4th 18th 254 5-seater touring car
1911 Model G 4th 18th 274 Torpedo Phaeton
1911 Model H 6th 48 320 Torpedo Phaeton
1911 Model H 6th 48 338 7-seater touring car
1911 Model M 4th 25th 274 5-seater touring car, 7-seater sedan, 7-seater landaulet
1912 Model D 6th 38 312 Touring car, Top Phaeton
1912 Model G 4th 18th 254 Runabout
1912 Model G 4th 25th 262 Touring car
1912 Model H 6th 38 320 Touring car, limousine
1912 Model K-6 4th 18th 254 Taxicab
1912 Model M 6th 30th 295 Touring car, torpedo Phaeton, roadster
1913 Model D 6th 38 312 5-seater touring car, 4-seater Torpedo Phaeton
1913 Model G 4th 18th 254 Runabout 2-seater
1913 Model G 4th 25th 262 5-seater touring car
1913 Model H 4th 38 320 7-seater touring car, 7-seater sedan
1913 Model M Little Six 6th 30th 295 Touring car 5-seater, Victoria 2-seater
1914 Model Six-30 6th 31.6 305 5-seater touring car, roadster, coupé , limousine
1915 Model Six-30 6th 31.6 305 Roadster 2-seater, touring car 5-seater, coupé, sedan
1916 Model Six-30 6th 31.6 305 5-seater touring car, 3-seater roadster, 5-seater and 7-seater sedan, 4-seater Doctor's Car
1917 Series 9 6th 25.35 292 Touring car 5-seater, Roadster 4-seater, runabout 2-seater, 5-seater saloon and 7-seater, Town Car 7-seater, Brougham 4-seater, Cabriolet 4-seater
1918 Series 9 6th 25.35 292 5-seater touring car, 2-seater and 4-seater roadster, limousine, Brougham, town car, convertible
1919 Series 9 6th 25.35 292 5-seater touring car, runabout, 4-seater roadster, Brougham, limousine
1920 Series 9-B 6th 25.3 292 5-seater touring car, 2-seater and 4-seater roadster, 5-seater sedan, 4-seater Brougham
1921 Series 9-B 6th 25th 292 Runabout 2-seat, Roadster 4-seat, Touring car 5-seat, Convertible Roadster 2-seat, Convertible touring car 5-seat, Brougham 4-seat, Sedan 5-seat
1922 Series 9-B 6th 25th 292 Roadster 2-seater, touring car 5-seater, Demi Coupé 2-seater and 5-seater, Brougham 4-seater, sedan 5-seater
1923 Model 10 6th 25th 292 5-seater touring car, 2-seater roadster, 5-seater Demi saloon, 4-seater Brougham, 4-seater coupé, 5-seater saloon, 5-seater touring saloon
1924 Model 10-B 6th 25th 292 5-seater touring car, 5-seater Demi sedan, 4-seat coupé, 5-seat Brougham, 5-seat sedan, touring sedan
1925 Model 10-C 6th 32 292 Touring car 5-seater, Demi Limousine 5-seater, Coupé 4-seater, Brougham 4-seater, Saloon 5-seater
1926 Model 11-A 6th 32 302 5-seater saloon, 5-seater sports saloon, 4-seater coupé, 5-seater Enclosed Dr saloon, 5-seater convertible, 5-seater touring car, 2-seater Sport Runabout, 5-seater Coupé Rumble
1927 Model 11-B 6th 32 302 Victoria 4-seat, Sport Coupé 2-seat, Tandem Sport 4-seat, Limousine 5-seat, Sport Limousine 5-seat, Coupé 3-seat, Enclosed Dr Limousine 5-seat, Cabriolet 5-seat, Touring car 5-seat, Sport Runabout 2-seater, Coupé Rumble 5-seater
1928 Airman 6th 46 302 3-seater Coupé, 4-seater Victoria, 5-seater sedan, 5-seater Oxford sedan, 5-seater sports sedan, 3-seater and 5-seater convertible
1928 Airman 6th 46 302 Sport runabout, sport touring car, 7-seater sedan, Oxford sedan, 7-seater touring car
1929 Model 130 6th 46 305 3-seater and 5-seater coupé, 5-seater sedan
1929 Model 135 6th 60 318 3-seat coupé, 5-seat sedan, 3-seat and 5-seat convertible, 4-seat Victoria Brougham, Oxford sedan, 5-seat sports sedan
1929 Model 137 6th 60 335 Sport Touring Car 5-seater, Sport Runabout 4-seater, Touring Car 7-seater, Limousine 7-seater, Oxford Saloon 7-seater
1930 Model 145 6th 87 318 Limousine, Coupé, Club Limousine, Limousine de Luxe, Victoria Brougham, Cabriolet, Touring Limousine, Pursuit
1930 Model 147 6th 87 335 Roadster, Pirate touring cars, Pirate Phaeton, Limousine 5-seater and 7-seater, Speedster , Convertible Speedster, Deauville Limousine, Town Car, Cabriolet, Cabriolimousine
1931 Series 15 6th 100 318 Pursuit, sedan 5-seater, coupé, Oxford sedan, Victoria Brougham, convertible, city sedan
1931 Series 15 6th 100 335 Roadster, 7-seater sedan, sports sedan
1931 Series 15 De Luxe 6th 100 335 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, speedster, 5-seater and 7-seater limousine, club limousine, convertible, city limousine
1932 Airman 6th 100 335 Speedster, sedan 5-seater and 7-seater, coupé, club sedan, Victoria Brougham, convertible, Oxford sedan
1933 Olympic 6th 100 300 5-seater sedan, 4-seater coupé, 4-seater convertible
1933 Airman 6th 100 335 Speedster 4-seater, Limousine 5-seater and 7-seater, Coupé 5-seater, Club Limousine 5-seater, Victoria Brougham, Oxford Limousine 6-seater
1933 Twelve 12 150 366 5-seater and 7-seater limousine, 5-seater Club Brougham
1934 Olympic 6th 100 300 Sedan, coupe, convertible
1934 Airman 6th 100 335 Limousine, Club Limousine, Oxford Limousine
1934 Twelve 12 150 366 Limousine, Club Brougham

Source:

Production numbers

year Production number
1902 13
1903 224
1904 400
1905 1,500
1906 2,100
1907 2,400
1908 1,895
1909 2.142
1910 2,357
1911 1,654
1912 1,508
1913 1,782
1914 1,984
1915 3,217
1916 3.817
1917 8,985
1918 6,689
1919 9,334
1920 10,552
1921 8,536
1922 8,052
1923 10.130
1924 6,075
1925 8,595
1926 7,606
1927 8,103
1928 7,770
1929 14,432
1930 6,043
1931 2,851
1932 1,905
1933 1.011
1934 360
total 154.022

Source:

literature

  • Beverly Rae Kimes, Henry Austin Clark Jr .: Standard catalog of American Cars. 1805-1942. Digital edition . 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola 2013, ISBN 978-1-4402-3778-2 , pp. 604-611 (English).
  • George Nicholas Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile . Volume 1: A-F . Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , pp. 587-590 (English).

Web links

Commons : HH Franklin Manufacturing Company  - Collection of Images

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Beverly Rae Kimes, Henry Austin Clark Jr .: Standard catalog of American Cars. 1805-1942. Digital edition . 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola 2013, ISBN 978-1-4402-3778-2 , pp. 604-611 (English).
  2. ↑ a b c George Nicholas Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile . Volume 1: A-F . Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , pp. 587-590 (English).
  3. ^ Halwart Schrader , Jan P. Norbye: The truck lexicon. All brands 1900 to today. Schrader Verlag, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-613-01837-3 , p. 66.
  4. ^ HH Franklin Club, Inc. (accessed March 3, 2018)
  5. ↑ Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 , chapter Franklin.