OT- I finally got a NLNB Antique Car Run eligible car!

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT- I finally got a NLNB Antique Car Run eligible car!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 10:00 pm:

For the last five or six years, I've been doing the pre-tours for the New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run with my '14 Model T. I've had a great time, but having to pack my car up and take it home because it's not old enough to be eligible for the big run on Saturday, has been very difficult. It's kind of like going to football practice all week and sitting on the bench on gameday. Well, those days are over.

A while back, a friend told me that he had a little Maxwell that he didn't have to sell, but was feeling bad that the car had been sitting for 15 years and he wanted to make sure it found a good home. He told me that he might be willing to sell it to me, because he knew I'd give it a good home. As a previous owner of the '14 Touring that I drive regularly, he's appreciated the way that I respect the car's history and the way that I treat it. The timing was not too good for me as I'd just listed my home for sale and was looking for that new job to complete my mid-life career change. But, that little Maxwell always kept itself in the back of my mind. Well, last month, I decided to give him a call and see if he was willing to let me give the car a new home. I'm happy to say that he allowed me to purchase/adopt the car.

Next year, I will run this 1908 Maxwell LC Tourabout in the NLNB Antique Car Run. It's a well preserved, original car with very few changes since new and much of it's history is documented. I intend to maintain and drive it pretty much as is.






Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 10:09 pm:

Eric-
Congratulations.

Would you please show us the Maxwell upholstery?

Thanks

: ^ )

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Hjortnaes, Men Falls, WI on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:07 pm:

Looks very nice and you should enjoy it a lot. Just needs a dash of paint on the running board. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gilbert V. I. Fitzhugh on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:13 pm:

That's a seriously neat car. There's a (to me) bewildering array of two-cylinder Maxwell runabouts, some fast, some not. All seem to be dependable, easy to drive, and fun. I've never yet met an owner who didn't like his Maxwell. Have a blast with it!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Dorholt - Mpls, MN on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:17 pm:

Way to go Eric, have you been running around in it yet?
Got the Franklin back on the road in short order.
Going to make some new hubs this winter.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Dorholt - Mpls, MN on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:27 pm:

Has your son started to polish the brass yet?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P Noonan on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:33 pm:

Very nice car indeed, best of luck with it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P Noonan on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:43 pm:

On a side note, those headlights remind me of Pamela Anderson, not sure why though.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:46 pm:

Way to go Eric! Now you'll be out there on Saturday with us too. It looks like a wonderful Maxwell, and i know you'll enjoy it tremendously. It's going to a great home. Congratulations,
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 12:00 am:

Dean, I just got it home this afternoon. It's had a 15 year slumber and I'm going to clean up the oil, fuel and cooling systems before I start it. Joey's going to have to leave this brass alone for now. The tarnished brass goes great with the old paint.

Rob, I don't think I'll even try to keep up with the K, but I should be able to run with the N if you don't get in too much of a hurry.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 12:07 am:

Keith, the leather on the seat was redone at some point many years ago. We are not sure how true the the original it is. I can say that it's comfortable to sit on.:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 12:15 am:

Gilbert,
The 2 cylinder Maxwells came in several different variations, rated from 10 up to I believe, 20 hp. Some had 5"x5" bore and stroke. This one is 4 1/2 x4" and 14 hp. The later ones , like the A and AA had 4x4" .


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les VonNordheim on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 12:45 am:

Congratulations Eric.
My dad restored a model AA 1910 Maxwell. They are fun cars to drive. You will enjoy owning a 2 cylinder car. In the HCCA, there are 1 & 2 cylinder car tours each year that are fun events. Is your Maxwell a 1906? I have seen several 1909 & 10 2 cylinder Maxwell's....your car is more rare.
We have a 1910 2 cylinder REO that is 4-3/4 x 6" and 20 hp. Hope to attend the New London to New Brighton car run sometime.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 01:26 am:

'08 Les


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 03:34 am:

Congratulations Eric!
I would say I was Maxwell green with envy, but your Maxwell is red. Lots of them are (and many correctly I might add).
Drive carefully, and enjoy that beautiful car for many years to come! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 06:40 am:

Eric,

Congratulations on your new car! And it has found a great home/garage. If you do not already have the HCCA Gazette(s) that cover the Maxwell, I would suggest you contact them and ask for copies. I’m 80% sure that I read an excellent article on the Maxwell within the last 10 years (ok – I’m also looking at back issues so it may have been an older issue). According to “The American Car Since 1775” pages 138-139 Maxwell was in the top 5 USA automobile makers 1906-1909 for the number of cars produced in a calendar year (yes, Ford was first all those years).

Also a favor to ask. If there is any identification on the wooden windshield please let us know what type it is. Some of the 1909-1910 Model Ts were listed as coming with a wooden Troy windshield. And if your windshield is a Troy, it may add some clues to what the wooden windshields for the Model Ts may have looked like (especially fittings etc.).

Again, great looking two cylinders!

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By G.R.Cheshire on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 06:53 am:

Eric Great car, this last weekend I was told by several people at a car show that "We love what you haven't done to the car" I think they would love what you plan not to do to the Maxwell too! enjoy it and has she picked out her new name yet?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Timothy Kelly on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 07:50 am:

Eric:

Congratulations!

I know when we spoke a couple of weeks ago during the NLNB run your were....as you should have been....pretty excited about the possibility of securing the Maxwell.

I am pleased to learn that you were able to close the deal and bring the Maxwell home.

Well done.

Timothy

ps - you and your family, with or without your "new" Maxwell, are welcome to join team EFR at Camp Ford anytime. Even an owner of a Columbia has been spotted hanging around.

Cheers,

Timothy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 08:28 am:

Great looking Maxwell Eric!

The 2 cylinder Maxwells are very innovative and well designed for the era. The enclosed transmission and external contracting rear brakes are superior to the equipment found on the Ford NRS series. The mostly steel bodies and thermo syphon cooling on the Maxwell also provide better service than the water pump equipped all wood bodied Ford Model N. The Maxwell does drip some oil but nowhere near the quantity emitted by a Model N Ford.

The Model NRS Fords are more powerful and faster, but the Maxwell is a more refined and sturdy car. Comparing the driving experience, you sit lower in the Maxwell, and it has better brakes.

I've always thought that the little flip open spark plug doors must be there for priming the car. Perhaps these cars originally came with primer plugs?

Congratulations, I want one of those!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 08:43 am:

Unbelievable.....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 09:20 am:

Hap,
It's a Westchester windshield. The top is Westchester as well. Westchester Appliance Company was owned by J.D. Maxwell and supplied lights, tops windshields and other accessories for Maxwell.

Wayne,
In '08, the LC came in Maxwell Green or Speedster Red with black and gold pinstriping. The body on this car was brushed over in red long ago, but much of the original color can be seen under the hood and on the chassis. The gentleman that I got the car from, used rubbing compound to cut through some of the over paint to reveal and document the original pinstriping. Several of the 14 remaining '08 LCs on the Maxwell Registry used this car for documentation when hey were restored.

Tim,
Thanks. My kids are still talking about their ride in your K. Joey says he's going to buy one after he gets a Stanley. I hope he gets a good job.:-)

Royce,
I think those are there for ease of cylinder maintenance. The Maxwell owners manual was very concerned about carbon buildup in the cylinders and recommended pouring kerosene through the spark plug hole every evening to clean the piston. There's a petcock on the bottom to drain it out.

G.R.,
It is the Maxwell. I don't name my cars.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 09:58 am:

Hap,
The Nov/Dec of '76 Gazzette has an excellent article on Maxwells by Jim Zordich. I got a copy of it when I joined the Maxwell Registry.

I did a lot of studying about 2 cylinder cars as I was looking and trying to decide which make to pursue. I decided that the Maxwell would be the best fit for me as it's reliable and affordable. Oddly enough, this little LC, with a 72" wheelbase, actually has more legroom than my '14 Model T. The seat is higher and the angled floorboard is further forward than on the Model T. I think the 2 cylinder boxer engine makes that possible.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 10:13 am:

I wonder if when they put starters on Maxwell's if they called them [Rochester's] Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 10:20 am:

Well! That's a mighty fine car you have there, Eric!

jack_benny


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 10:23 am:

Good on ya, Eric. I know you'll have a lot of fun with that "machine." :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Georgetown TX on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 10:37 am:

Eric,

If you have not done so already, you should join the Maxwell Briscoe Owners Club Registry. I've been a member over there since 2008. It is a very useful site for finding parts and technical information. I found it invaluable when working on a Maxwell Model AB several years ago.

Link:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/maxwellbriscoeowners/info


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darren J Wallace on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 11:52 am:

Very nice looking car! If I had more room,(and $$$) I would love one of these cars!!Congrats!!!!
I hope you have MANY years of enjoyment with your Maxwell!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 01:01 pm:

Congratulations, Eric!

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 02:12 pm:

Eric,

Thank you for clarifying that the windshield was produced by Westchester. And again, congratulations on your new car!

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 04:04 pm:

Once you start polishing brass you're screwed for life........let it be........it looks about 39 years old.......as it should....... :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gary Schreiber- Santa Isabel Ecuador on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 04:31 pm:

Very nice. Congratulations!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Hector, Minnesota on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 08:06 pm:

I copied this from our town paper in 1934. I hope you have as much luck with your Maxwell!

Driving a 1904 Maxwell automobile, which he obtained in trade for three bushels of onions and watermelons, Joe Glasswick, 19, of Valley City, North Dakota, is on his way to Chicago. He found the old machine in a farmyard near Valley City, made the trade with the owner, and expects to sell it for $4.00 in Chicago.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Haynes on Sunday, August 24, 2014 - 08:57 pm:

Congratulations, Eric -
2-cyl Maxwells are just excellent cars and it will be a favorite for just being what it is. I'm genuinely happy and excited for you. They are delightful cars.
Remember the Maxwell motto: Perfectly simple, simply perfect.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warren F Rollins on Monday, August 25, 2014 - 05:31 pm:

Eric, Funny how you find information. Back in the late 50s I picked a brass headlamp bonnet stamped Westchester No 16. Up until now I never knew exactly what it came off of. What years did Maxwell used this lamp. Any ideas?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Monday, August 25, 2014 - 08:30 pm:

Warren, I'm not sure. I'll see what I can find in he books that I have.


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