Vehicle Description
1927 Franklin 11-B Sedan
By the mid-1920s, American consumers would agree that Franklins
were well-engineered cars. But they were a little odd-looking. The
"horse-collar" hood style of the early-'20s Series 10 Franklins,
with aft-tilted grille, made perfect sense to chief engineer John
Wilkinson. His air-cooled engines didn't require the
upright-radiator profile of their competitors. But Franklin
dealers, particularly on the West Coast, began asking if the
company could make its cars more conventional-looking-better
dressed but not too flashy. Wilkinson opposed putting form above
function, but he left the company in 1924. In his place, Franklin
hired former Rolls-Royce and Locomobile designer Frank de Causse,
who penned a body style for the Series 11 that incorporated what
has been called the "de Causse hood". The Series 11 debuted in
1925, and its aluminum body on a laminated ash-wood frame was
handsome, right down to its vertical radiator grille and four-piece
hood.
For consignment, a somewhat rare Franklin 11B which took on a more
conventional look and attracted more customers. This car in its day
came to dealers as 4 times more expensive than Fords or Chevys of
the era. This was due to it being an aluminum body to save steel
for the upcoming war effort. It also had an air-cooled engine not
unlike airplanes and is the beneficiary of a total rebuild in
2000.
Exterior
This car arrives in factory aluminum style with its chrome
surrounded radiator and vertical blocked grille and 2 massive
headlights on either side. Our consigner states that it's all
factory aluminum save for the newer 4-piece hood. Dual bar bumpers
frame the bottom of the grille and just above their edges, black
painted and pinstriped in white curved fenders roll up and down
framing the 20-inch gray painted wood spoked wheels, and eventually
greeting a running board in the center of the car. The car is
bathed in gray and is adorned with black pin striping framing each
seam. On the top it's black vinyl and just above the windshield is
a black sun visor in aluminum. The rear fenders, also in black are
molded into the body at the rear of the car, and just above is yet
another back side window giving each side 3. On the back the
graceful but quickly descending rear panel meets up with a spare
tire and dual bar split rear bumper on either side of the spare. A
single taillight is on the driver's rear fender and a horizontal
rear glass window in the center just above the spare. The hood
ornament /radiator cap topper is a leaping lion made of cast
silver, and in the middle of the front of the grille surround is a
tasteful F badge within a circle.
Interior
Beautiful straight and clean gray felted broadcloth covers the
embossed paneled doors. These have silver cranks and pulls and are
very straight and clean. Inside a vertical tufted front and rear
bench also covered in the gray felting appear as new. These sit in
black metal tubs which float in gray carpeting. A large wood rimmed
steering wheel is fronting a simple black dash that has a trio of
silver framed on black background gauge frames. One has toggles,
the central gauges and the right the speedometer and odometer with
a trip odometer. Padded gray felting frames the dash top and adds
just a bit of safety. A long wood topped shifter reaches for the
driver from the floor and a shout out to the rear foot area which
has a footrest. Above is a nice tight gray headliner. All very
upscale and very clean and simple.
Drive-Train
Under the 4 piece cowled aluminum hood sits a 199ci air cooled
inline 6-cylinder engine. Under a whale shaped black painted metal
air covering is a single barrel Stromberg carburetor. On the back
is a 3-speed manual transmission with 4.72 gears on the rear axle.
A very nice job under this cowl, and no radiator!
Undercarriage
Some surface rust on suspension parts with some being heavy on the
leaf springs and battery holder. Newer body hangers and wood
floorboards, (literally!), are seen in good condition. Some oiling
is noted on the bottom of the I-6. This car rides on 4-wheel leaf
spring suspension, and stops with rear only mechanical drum brakes,
so plan ahead.
Drive-Ability
She fires right up and idles smoothly. To the test track where it
performed nicely. Smooth acceleration, good solid braking even
though it's only mechanical drums. All comforts, and instruments
were working nicely. Note the engine crank and wheel hub wrench can
be found under the driver's seat.
The beneficiary of a fully documented with photos and receipts of
the restoration of every aspect of the process. All aluminum body
from the factory save for the 4-piece cowled hood. An air-cooled
engine, and all new design for this year, and we are rolling with
class and shades of Rolls-Royce from that designer they captured
from that company. We throw in some wonderful Franklin books, and
you will not only be looking good, but be knowledgeable of this
wonderful rare, maybe 1,300 surviving cars in total, car. Spare
parts are also available for additional cost from the
consignor.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
