Franklin Twelve
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|
| Franklin Series 17 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Franklin Automobile Company |
| Production | 1932–1934 212 produced |
| Assembly | Syracuse, New York |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | ultra-luxury vehicle |
| Body style | Coachbuilt to owner's preference 2-door coupe 2/4door brougham 4-door phaeton 4-door limousine 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6,520 cc (6.4L) V12 OHV 112 kW (150 hp) |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual gearbox synchromesh with freewheeling two-speed rear axle (optional) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,657.6 mm (144 in) |
Franklin Twelve (also known as the Franklin Series 17 or Franklin V-12) was a luxury automobile produced by the Franklin Automobile Company of Syracuse, New York, between 1932 and 1934. It was the only V12-powered model ever offered by Franklin and featured a distinctive air-cooled engine designed by aircraft engineer F. Glen Shoemaker. Intended as a flagship competitor to other multi-cylinder luxury cars of the era, the V-12 arrived too late during the Great Depression and contributed to the company's demise. Production totaled approximately 212 vehicles.[1]
History and development
The Franklin Automobile Company, founded in 1902 by Herbert H. Franklin, was renowned for its innovative use of air-cooled engines and lightweight construction techniques, including extensive aluminum components and full-elliptic springs. By the early 1930s, however, the company faced severe financial pressures from the 1929 stock market crash, overexpansion, and mounting debts. Bank-appointed management overruled engineers' preference for a lightweight chassis, resulting in a heavier vehicle that deviated from Franklin's traditional emphasis on nimble handling. The V-12 was introduced on April 1, 1932, as Franklin's response to competitors such as Cadillac, Packard and Pierce-Arrow, which offered multi-cylinder luxury models. It was the company's final new engine design before production ceased in 1934.[2]
Engine
The Franklin Twelve was an air-cooled, 60° V12 engine with overhead valves designed primarily by aircraft engineer F. Glen Shoemaker. It featured individually finned cast-iron cylinders mounted on an aluminum crankcase, with aluminum cylinder heads. Cooling was provided by a Sirocco-type fan mounted at the nose of the crankshaft, which directed airflow through carefully engineered steel shrouding. Twin camshafts (one per bank) operated the valves via pushrods. Some contemporary descriptions referred to a "supercharged" effect from the fan ducting, but reliable sources describe it as naturally aspirated with enhanced airflow assistance.
Specifications Configuration:
- Air-cooled 60° V12, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder
- Bore × Stroke: 3.252 in (82.6 mm) × 4.000 in (101.6 mm)
- Displacement: 398 cu in (6,520 cc)
- Compression ratio: 5.1:1
- Power output: 150 hp (112 kW) at approximately 3,100 rpm
- Torque: Approximately 260 lb·ft (352 N·m) at low rpm (estimated)
- Fuel system: Single Stromberg downdraft carburetor (some models)
- Cooling: Forced air via crankshaft-driven fan and shrouds
The engine was engineered for smoothness and reliability, drawing on Franklin's aircraft-engine experience, but the heavy overall vehicle weight (around 6,000 lb / 2,700 kg when fully equipped) limited performance and handling compared to earlier Franklin models.
Chassis and Body
The Series 17 rode on a long wheelbase chassis of approximately 144 inches (3,658 mm). Early engineering plans called for Franklin's traditional lightweight construction and full-elliptic springs, but production models used a heavier frame with semi-elliptic leaf springs and semi-floating axles. Advanced features for the era included synchromesh transmissions, freewheeling, and hydraulic brakes (one of the first applications in some contexts).[3] Body styles included luxurious sedans (five- and seven-passenger), club broughams, phaetons, coupes, and limousines. Styling drew influences from coachbuilders such as LeBaron (including an aggressive vee grille and slanting windshield on some) and Dietrich. Interiors featured high-end materials like African mahogany trim and aircraft-style instrumentation. Prices ranged from approximately $2,885 to $4,185 (or higher for custom bodies), positioning the car firmly in the luxury segment.
Models and production
Franklin V-12 automobiles were offered in luxury body styles, including sedans, phaetons, and coupes, many with custom or semi-custom coachwork. Some featured styling influences from Dietrich. The cars were built on a long wheelbase chassis (approximately 142–144 inches) and equipped with advanced features for the time, such as synchromesh transmissions and freewheeling.[4]
Production was extremely limited:
- 1932: Introduction year, low volume
- 1933: Majority of output (Series 17)
- 1934: Final run, with only about 98 Twelve models among total Franklin production of roughly 109 cars
Total V-12 production is estimated at 212 units. As of the early 21st century, marque experts believed only about 12 examples survive. The V-12 was marketed as a high-end luxury car priced in the $2,000–$3,000+ range (depending on body style), but sales were dismal amid economic hardship.
Legacy
The Franklin V-12 is often cited as "too much, too late." The heavy chassis undermined the company's reputation for light, responsive cars, and the model failed to generate sufficient revenue to offset development costs or repay loans. Franklin declared bankruptcy in April 1934 and ceased automobile production. The Franklin name and engine designs lived on. The engine manufacturing division continued as Aircooled Motors Corporation (later producing aircraft engines, including flat-six and flat-twelve designs used in helicopters and the short-lived Tucker 48 automobile). Franklin's air-cooled engineering legacy influenced later aircraft powerplants, some of which remain in production under license today.Surviving Franklin V-12s are prized by collectors for their rarity, innovative engineering, and distinctive styling. They occasionally appear at classic car shows and auctions, commanding high prices due to their scarcity.