Chalmers Automobile

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Overview
Manufacturer Chalmers Automobile Company
Production 1908–1923
Body and chassis
Body style roadster

Chalmers Motor Car Company was a United States based automobile company located in Detroit, Michigan. It was named after Hugh Chalmers of the National Cash Register Company. The brand is owned by Chrysler.

History

The Chalmers was formed when Hugh Chambers bought out the interests of ER Thomas in the Thomas-Detroit company in 1908, and renamed the company Chalmers-Detroit.[1] The name was changed to Chalmers in 1911.[1]

Chalmers flourished in the 1910s and then faltered in the 1920s post-World War I recession. It merged with the Maxwell Automobile Company in the early 1920s, and ended all production in late 1923.

With a 115 in (2921 mm) wheelbase on 34 in (86 cm) wheels,[2] Chalmers were expensive cars for the period. The 30 Touring and the 30 Roadster sold for US$1500,[3] when the Black could be had as low as $375,[4] the Brush Runabout for US$485,[5] Western's Gale Model A US$500,[6] and the high-volume Oldsmobile Runabout for US$650,[7] while Cole 30 was US$1500,[5] and the Oakland 40 was US$1600.[8] The Chalmers 30 Coupe at US2400[3] was nearer the US$2000 Enger 40,[5] while 40 Touring and 40 Roadster at US2750 and 40 Torpedo at US3000[3] were still below American's lowest-price model, at US$4250 (its highest was US$5250).[9]

Taking part in early racing, a Chalmers won the 1910 Glidden Tour.[3]

The company also originated the Chalmers Award in professional baseball.

1922 Chalmers
1922 Chalmers Touring

Advertisements

1909 Chalmers-Detroit advertisement - The New York Times, April 30, 1909
1910 Chalmers-Detroit advertisement - Indianapolis Star, October 10, 1909
1911 Chalmers-Detroit advertisement, Limousine $3,000 - Syracuse Post-Standard, January 31, 1911
1916 Chalmers-Detroit advertisement - New York Sun, February 18, 1916

See also

Sources

  • Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925. New York: Bonanza Books, 1950

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zatz, David. "Roots of Chrysler: Chalmers cars". www.allpar.com. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  2. ↑ Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925 (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.107.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Clymer, p.107.
  4. ↑ Clymer, p.61.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Clymer, p.104.
  6. ↑ Clymer, p.51.
  7. ↑ Clymer, p.32.
  8. ↑ Clymer, p.84.
  9. ↑ Clymer, p.91.

External links

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