OT - A 1911 Maxwell AB found it's way into my shop...

Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2017: OT - A 1911 Maxwell AB found it's way into my shop...

So, a week ago I got a call from a fellow who found out that I have owned Maxwell's in the past and asked if I could help him get his 1909 LD running. So Friday I took a short, 40 minute drive over to his place to see what we could do. The first thing I discovered when I got there was that it was not an 09, but rather a 1911 AB. After a few minutes of tinkering with it, the owner asked me outright if I would be interested in buying it, since he was a "40's and 50's" car guy and this was really not his thing. Naturally, I said "YES" and a deal was struck.

The car is mostly correct, missing only the magneto, coil box and carburetor to be correct. It's very nice looking but it's an odd mix of restored and original. The top, top bows, upholstery and wood are all un-restored and original while the body has been painted, albeit the wrong color. It should be dark blue with cream wheels and accents. I guess it was painted red because at one time, it was believed that this particular car was an 09. In any event, it's a great little car.

Sometimes it's nice to add something a little colorful to the all black fleet. If you happen to have a two-cylinder Maxwell, let me know!

Those are great cars. The HCCA is having a 1&2-cylinder tour in Orange, Virginia, September 17-23. We'd love to have you join us!

Gil.. We'll see how things shape up as we get in toward Summer. I'd love to attend, but I have a 14 year old daughter who will be in school that I have to consider. Plus, she won't fit in the tool box.. But we'll see! In any event, this solves my issue you and I talked about a few months ago when I emailed you about my 13 touring car. And the nice thing is that I still have the 13!

That is great James. A 2-cyl car helps us enjoy Ts' in a different light. I watched this '06 change hands among friends for 40 years. I ended up with a 2 cyl Buick and a 4 cyl Maxwell. It's all fun.
I'm glad to see the picture.
Rich

It's nice to see some diversity! Awesome looking cars you have guys! Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Willis

I lucked into Maxwell ownership a couple of years ago. Mine is an '08 LC. I love the little thing! It gives a feeling similar to that of driving a T, but even more primitive. Mine is the rustic red car, second from the right in this photo.

There's always a good showing of two-cylinder Maxwells at the New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run. Your's is eligible. I hope you'll consider joining us in Minnesota.

Since I probly never own a stanley only thing get me out of a model T in a 1 or 2 cylender maxwell or reo

Very cool. I love all of these other early brass cars. I've just never really learned much about them because I figured they were all likely out of my price range. They are super cool though.

James,
Happy you now have a 2 cylinder Maxwell. A friend who also lives in Fallbrook, Ca. just bought a 2 cylinder Maxwell model AA. His is blue. My Dad restored a 1910 2 cylinder Maxwell model AA. He painted it bright Red....a fun car to drive and very light towing.
I have a 1910 2 cylinder REO that we have toured with since 1978. 1 & 2 cylinder tours are a lot of fun and you see more going slower compared to model T's.
You will enjoy it.

Rick,
I thought that too. But, once I started hanging around with some early car owners, I learned that there are bargains to be had in the early brass era too. While many of the early car are expensive, the '09-'12 two-cylinder Maxwells can be affordable. If you keep your eyes open, you can find one in the same price range as a '14 or '15 Ford.

If you can justify pulling your daughter out of school for this highly educational event, she won't have to ride in the toolbox. She can navigate for me, since I'll be alone. Barring that, a few of the 1&2 cars have back seats.

Nice to see another Maxwell come out from hiding. Mine is a four cylinder. I haven't attended much with other cars of this age. Generally I'm by far the oldest unless there are a few early Ts there. I'm limited in the distance I can travel by having a busy work schedule.

Guys - Thanks for all the positive comments. I hope to get it back on it's feet in the coming months and exercise it.

Gil - Maybe you'll see us there. Orange is where my wife and I got married so we always like going there. Our daughter has been on dozens of tours over the years so she knows the ropes.

Maxwells are affordable. An awful color, (baby-blue) 06/07 was on ebay a while back that I think finally sold for around 15K. I also knew of an 11 AB that was in primer and had most of the parts restored that was for sale for around 16K. Mine was very affordable too. Dollar-for-dollar, compared to the same year Model T, you can buy a 1911 Maxwell for less than half of that of a 1911 T. Which is crazy talk to me because there are far fewer Maxwells.

This is my 3rd Maxwell. Not to write a sob story, but I had an un-restored 1908 LC, and a nice running Original (with an 80 year old over-paint) 09 Ajr. I lost both in 2007 when I was forced to sell them along with other old cars to save the engineering firm my wife and I owned that was being sued. In the end I lost the company too. But got back my stress-free life so it's all good.

I know what you mean about crazy low prices for the Maxwells. People are shocked that mine isn't worth well into six figures because it's restored and one of four. I guess that means we can drive them and let little kids play with the horn because we don't fear as much.

Maxwells are very fun little cars. Mine is a 1911 AB with a top off an earlier horse buggy.

Thanks Mark!
Taylor, very nice car!

It's sure nice to see how many of us are proving that Maxwells and Model Ts can coexist in the same garage.

Mark Strange I took mine to a show near Alton in Oct of 2013. That should be pretty close to you. It was the Best of the Best show in Brighton. I've been interested in going to one of the shows in St Louis. I'm in Champaign IL.

Maxwell cars matter....!
Right now I'm on the search for original blue paint tucked in some hidden place. The car has been painted red twice. I found old red paint under the hood and firewall. It could be as old as 80 years old. But so far, no dark blue paint. I've been under the impression that the 11 AB only came in dark blue with cream trim.

Taylor Andre... I have the same head lamps as you do. Can you post some close pictures of the burners? Mine are missing and I can't see how they attach.

James,Wow, what a nice 11AB, that is what I am working on. I am hoping that I can get it going for the run next year. I am looking for parts.
John Warren 702-353-4436

John.. Thank you. Have you contacted Merle Simonsma in Sacramento? He's a super nice person. He's "the guy" for parts and Maxwell knowledge. Good luck on your project!