Pre-War Pre-Chrysler: 1925 Maxwell
This next car comes as a tip from TeleArrow who writes: I bet you savvy DT regulars have heard of a Maxwell before, but I haven’t. It was running when parked a mere one and a half score ago so what could be wrong? Maybe not much since this thing is pretty darn simple. I can’t say I know much about pre-war Maxwell either, aside from the fact that it was absorbed into Chrysler in 1925 and you can probably fix anything on the car with a crescent wrench, fliers, and a horse-powered lathe. Find this 1925 Maxwell offered for $5,950 in Williston, VT via craigslist.
From the seller:
1925 Maxwell
condition: fair
fuel: gas
odometer: 26000
paint color: blue
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: sedan
1925 Maxwell-has been in my family for almost 60 years. All original condition, with wooden spoked wheels. It was running when I parked it almost 30 years ago. A true classic, Jack Benny would be proud. (If your plans are to make it into a hot rod-please don’t tell me!). We are downsizing, it’s time to let it go! It was featured in many props for local department stores and was in many parades, but needs some new love.
See a better way to drive an antique? tips@dailyturismo.com
Maxwell was a quality brand and one of the bigger names in the early auto industry when there were hundreds of tiny manufacturers coming and going each year. This looks complete and well preserved, though a little neglected. Quite the survivor considering its long residency in Vermont.
I’ve always loved cars of this era. As I get older, I realize that this is probably my speed and mechanical ability (slow and rudimentary). I’d love to get this back on the road with a basic mechanical refresh and a mild sympathetic restoration. I’d keep it as original as possible. There’s no reward in doing a full restoration of a 4-door Maxwell.
Any chance of sourcing parts at the local Stellantis dealership? Heheh.
I think that the current proliferation of Electric Car makers (Tesla, Cazoo, Faraday Future, Rimac, the Czech owned company that 3D prints parts, etc) is a similar market dynamic to the early 1900s auto market — albeit, with a global economy and all sorts of other barriers to entry (safety, etc) — BUT there will be a bunch of small companies with crazy ideas, good times, and then consolidation.
I also love the era of simple mechanical cars and would love to have an old tin lizzy (or equivalent) to tinker with.
Sort of like in the 80s and 90s when there were thousands of computer companies.
They do run kinda rough!
https://youtu.be/17N2g2Ryqi8