Franklin Antique, Vintage and Classic Parts For Sale

Franklin Manufacturing Company History (Continued from top)

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All Franklin cars were air-cooled, which was less complicated and lighter than water cooling, and Franklin led the way using aluminum to save weight. The 1904 model featured seating for four, a ten horsepower air-cooled engine in the front and a two-speed transmission. By 1905 Franklin had the first six-cylinder engine and in 1907 they were first with automatic spark advance. While water cooling was cheaper and could produce more horsepower, Franklin led the way with air-cooled technology, which was a favorite to northerners before antifreeze was made. And Franklins insisted on using wood chassis, rather than steel, to reduce vibrations until 1928, when wood became impractical.

The 1930 Franklin had a 100 horsepower engine and in 1932 they introduced a 12-cylinder, air-cooled behemoth that evolved into a car that was way too big and expensive for the time, the beginning of the Great Depression, and the company went bankrupt in 1934.