Company overview
The Crane-Simplex Company was formed in 1922 by Henry M. Crane to revive the Simplex Automobile Company’s production of luxury automobiles. The company initially acquired assets from Mercer Motors, Inc., and operated out of a plant in Long Island City, New York. Production focused on the Crane-Simplex Model 5, a six-cylinder automobile built from 1915 to 1918. The Model 5 was known for its high price, custom construction, and advanced engineering, with a maximum output of 300 cars annually. Production involved rigorous testing procedures to ensure engine reliability and performance, including road tests over 5,000 miles. The Crane-Simplex Company produced approximately 467 vehicles during its operation, with notable owners including John D. Rockefeller and Frederick W. Vanderbilt. In 1920, Mercer Motors Company acquired the Simplex Automobile Company’s assets, and production ceased in 1917 when Wright began manufacturing airplane engines during World War I.
