LOT 621
1915 Chalmers Six-48 Five Passenger Touring Chassis no. 45876 Engine no. 29A94
Sold for US$67,860 inc. premium
Lot 621
1915 Chalmers Six-48 Five Passenger Touring Chassis no. 45876 Engine no. 29A94
1915 Chalmers Six-48 Five Passenger Touring
Chassis no. 45876
Engine no. 29A94
Chassis no. 45876
Engine no. 29A94
Initially, Chalmers automobiles were produced under the Thomas Detroit name. E.R. Thomas had funded a lower priced car he could sell under the Thomas name. When the venture fell apart the cars sold as the Chalmers Detroit starting in 1908. Under the new name they gained immediate market acceptance. The cars were offered in the $1500-$3000 price bracket and had good features and performance. The company management was a bit divided over which market direction to go. Run by namesake Hugh Chalmers, Howard Coffin, and Roy Chapin, Coffin and Chapin wanted to produce less expensive cars for the growing $1000 car market. Chalmers had grander visions and wanted to make a higher-quality performance oriented car. Chalmers ended up with sole control of his company as Coffin and Chapin persuaded JL Hudson to fund a new car company under their investor's name.
Chalmers was now free to produce the cars he wanted to make. Already the marque had distinguished itself on the racetrack. The resulting success and reputation had given the Chalmers company an impressive list of owners including Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, J. Herreschoff, and soon to be Packard chief engineer, Jesse Vincent. The name of the company was officially changed to Chalmers Motor Car Company in 1910. Chalmers rose to become one of the nation's most popular builders and by 1915 was building 20,000 cars annually.
Chalmers cars were offered initially in four-cylinder variants in 30 and eventually 36 hp. A six-cylinder was introduced in 1912 and by 1915 the company went exclusively with six-cylinder cars. The six-cylinder proved an excellent car and they had two Glidden Tour victories to prove it. The winning ways continued at Pike's Peak and the 24-hour endurance test at Sheep's Head Bay.
The racing success is not a surprise when you look at the motor. The big twin-spark T-head six is a serious looking powerplant. The cylinders are cast in threes and fastened to a large aluminum crankcase. Carburation is by a bronze Rayfield through a liquid heated manifold.
This big six-cylinder tourer has a racy torpedo body and an impressive stature. The 48 hp six runs through a four-speed transmission. The spec is as good as just about anything of the era and it is particularly rare to find a four-speed on a car like this. To cap it off the car rides on large 27" rims and 37x5 tires. Being a '15 it qualifies for most HCCA events and benefits from modern electric starting and lighting of the era.
The high quality diamond tufted leather upholstery looks great. The dashboard on this Chalmers is particularly impressive with its full compliment of instruments mounted in deep nickel bezels. This Chalmers must represent about the most performance for the dollar you can get in a HCCA car. With nearly 50hp a four-speed, a racy body and 27" rims it should be able to compete with the best of them.
Chalmers was now free to produce the cars he wanted to make. Already the marque had distinguished itself on the racetrack. The resulting success and reputation had given the Chalmers company an impressive list of owners including Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, J. Herreschoff, and soon to be Packard chief engineer, Jesse Vincent. The name of the company was officially changed to Chalmers Motor Car Company in 1910. Chalmers rose to become one of the nation's most popular builders and by 1915 was building 20,000 cars annually.
Chalmers cars were offered initially in four-cylinder variants in 30 and eventually 36 hp. A six-cylinder was introduced in 1912 and by 1915 the company went exclusively with six-cylinder cars. The six-cylinder proved an excellent car and they had two Glidden Tour victories to prove it. The winning ways continued at Pike's Peak and the 24-hour endurance test at Sheep's Head Bay.
The racing success is not a surprise when you look at the motor. The big twin-spark T-head six is a serious looking powerplant. The cylinders are cast in threes and fastened to a large aluminum crankcase. Carburation is by a bronze Rayfield through a liquid heated manifold.
This big six-cylinder tourer has a racy torpedo body and an impressive stature. The 48 hp six runs through a four-speed transmission. The spec is as good as just about anything of the era and it is particularly rare to find a four-speed on a car like this. To cap it off the car rides on large 27" rims and 37x5 tires. Being a '15 it qualifies for most HCCA events and benefits from modern electric starting and lighting of the era.
The high quality diamond tufted leather upholstery looks great. The dashboard on this Chalmers is particularly impressive with its full compliment of instruments mounted in deep nickel bezels. This Chalmers must represent about the most performance for the dollar you can get in a HCCA car. With nearly 50hp a four-speed, a racy body and 27" rims it should be able to compete with the best of them.
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