Company overview
The Franklin Automobile Company was established in Syracuse, New York, in 1902 by Herbert H. Franklin. The company initially focused on producing lightweight automobiles with air-cooled engines, a feature that provided an advantage in cold weather. Franklin’s vehicles were technological leaders, including the first six-cylinder engine and automatic spark advance in 1905. Production expanded to include various models, such as the Type A through Type H and the Twelve, with the latter featuring a twelve-cylinder engine. By 1934, financial difficulties and declining sales led to the company’s bankruptcy. Aircooled Motors of Syracuse continued production of Franklin engines after the original car manufacturing ceased, supplying them for use in light planes and early American helicopters. The company declared bankruptcy in 1975.
