Maxwell Advertising Art (1917)

Maxwell and Briscoe parted company in 1912, but Jonathan Maxwell continued to produce cars under the banner of his own Maxwell Motor Company. At various times, he built cars in Tarrytown (NY), Pawtucket (RI), New Castle (IN), Detroit (MI), and Canada. 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. Jack Benny made comments about his old Maxwell, which was a staple of his comedy routines. He and his sidekick, Rochester, worked his Maxwell into their act starting in the thirties and kept it there for another five decades.

Walter P. Chrysler became involved with Maxwell in 1921 and later became the owner and subsequently phasing it out the Maxwell name in 1925. As with many vintage cars, the names are gone forever, but the brand and historical legend of these turn-of-the-century new motor cars still live through their past and new owners, at least the ones that exist.