Name/Title
Simplex Crane 1917Description
This is a Simplex Crane Model 5: Henry Middlebrook Crane graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1896, with degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering. He then joined the Bell Telephone Company, and later worked for their manufacturing subsidiary, the Western Electric Company. His Crane and Whitman Company of Bayonne, New Jersey, formed in 1906, evolved into the Crane Motor Car Company by 1910. In 1912, his design for the Crane Model 3 automobile was ready for production. It was a large, refined luxury car, but "production" it barely achieved, with some 37 cars built in three years.
In the autumn of 1914, the Simplex Automobile Company acquired the Crane firm, moving its equipment to nearby New Brunswick, New Jersey. The services of Henry Crane were included in the transaction, and in short order the Simplex Crane Model 5 was introduced, with Crane's refined 564 cubic inch six-cylinder engine in a 144-inch wheelbase chassis. Bodies were supplied by several well-known bespoke coachbuilders, including Kimball, Locke, Derham and Holbrook, but most were by Brewster. Production continued into 1917. The cars are sometimes incorrectly called "Crane-Simplex," perhaps confused with a short-lived 1922 attempt by Henry Crane to resurrect the business at Long Island City, after the Simplex company had been brought down by the Hare's Motors debacle.
It appears likely that the car has been owned by two families prior to being acquired by Richard Paine; there is some disagreement about whether there was another owner (possibly named Morgan from New Jersey) prior to the Paine acquisition.
It appears likely that the car has not been operated since the 1950's and that the paint, upholstery, and other components are original to the car.
Further extensive information relative to the car's history, provenance and the Salisbury/Kimball family connections can be found in the vehicle binder.
A Large dual cowl 7 passenger touring withe a tan/green over olive green body with a tan Victoria top, a black leather interior, and nickel trim.