1912 Maxwell AC Messenger

100 years old and still running! Same Owner Since 1973 !

Maxwell cars were among the earliest motor cars on American roads, creations of Jonathan Dixon Maxwell (1864-1928), a native of Howard County, Indiana.  He started out as a bicycle repairman, became a machinist, and worked in the railroad industry before joining the turn-of-the-century obsession with automobiles. Before 1900, he worked with Elwood Haynes in building an automobile which is now in the Smithsonian Institution, and he later worked with Eli Olds, developer of the Oldsmobile.

The first automobile to bear Maxwell's name came in 1904, the Maxwell Runabout. With a two cylinder engine, the car sold for about $500. It was produced by the Maxwell-Briscoe Company which Jonathan Maxwell formed in 1903 with Benjamin Briscoe. As their company grew, it merged with another to become the United States Motor Company. Maxwell and Briscoe parted company in 1912, but Jonathan Maxwell continued to produce cars under the banner of his own Maxwell Motor Company. Maxwell automobiles were considered to be among the best racing machines of the era and won trophies to back up that reputation. In 1916, a Maxwell touring car set a coast-to-coast record, speeding from New Jersey to California in just ten days and sixteen hours. Another Maxwell challenged the Pennsylvania Railroad's vaunted "Congressional Limited," racing the train over the forty miles from Washington to Baltimore and arriving just four minutes behind. Walter P. Chrysler joined the Maxwell Motor Company in 1921 and later became owner. He continued using the Maxwell name until 1925, and then phased it out.

This 1912 model AC Messenger is in running condition and would have sold new for the princely sum of $825, a large amount in its day. This car was purchased most recently by its previous owner in 1973 in San Diego California before being acquired by LMC. The car has been nicely maintained but does show some signs of patina from its years of use and is still very presentable in red with white pin stripping and black deep-buttoned upholstery. This model is powered by a numbers matching hand crank start, flat twin engine with opposed cylinders rated at 14 to 16 HP and mated to a two speed planetary transmission with shaft driven rear wheel drive. This was a very advanced design for the early years of the automobile. Chassis #76165 is a right hand drive model; with wooden artillery style spoke wheels and rear wheel band type brakes. It also has twin brass Rushmore gas lamps as well as twin kerosene side lamps for night time driving with fold down soft top. If you are looking for a truly unique piece of automotive history to drive and enjoy, don't miss your chance to buy this rare and historical car.