Used 1927 Franklin 11B for sale in Morgantown, PA

1927 Franklin 11-B Sedan

By the mid-1920s, American consumers would agree that Franklins were well-engineered cars. But they were a little odd-looking. The "horse-collar" hood style of the early-'20s Series 10 Franklins, with aft-tilted grille, made perfect sense to chief engineer John Wilkinson. His air-cooled engines didn't require the upright-radiator profile of their competitors. But Franklin dealers, particularly on the West Coast, began asking if the company could make its cars more conventional-looking-better dressed but not too flashy. Wilkinson opposed putting form above function, but he left the company in 1924. In his place, Franklin hired former Rolls-Royce and Locomobile designer Frank de Causse, who penned a body style for the Series 11 that incorporated what has been called the "de Causse hood". The Series 11 debuted in 1925, and its aluminum body on a laminated ash-wood frame was handsome, right down to its vertical radiator grille and four-piece hood.

For consignment, a somewhat rare Franklin 11B which took on a more conventional look and attracted more customers. This car in its day came to dealers as 4 times more expensive than Fords or Chevys of the era. This was due to it being an aluminum body to save steel for the upcoming war effort. It also had an air-cooled engine not unlike airplanes and is the beneficiary of a total rebuild in 2000.

Exterior
This car arrives in factory aluminum style with its chrome surrounded radiator and vertical blocked grille and 2 massive headlights on either side. Our consigner states that it's all factory aluminum save for the newer 4-piece hood. Dual bar bumpers frame the bottom of the grille and just above their edges, black painted and pinstriped in white curved fenders roll up and down framing the 20-inch gray painted wood spoked wheels, and eventually greeting a running board in the center of the car. The car is bathed in gray and is adorned with black pin striping framing each seam. On the top it's black vinyl and just above the windshield is a black sun visor in aluminum. The rear fenders, also in black are molded into the body at the rear of the car, and just above is yet another back side window giving each side 3. On the back the graceful but quickly descending rear panel meets up with a spare tire and dual bar split rear bumper on either side of the spare. A single taillight is on the driver's rear fender and a horizontal rear glass window in the center just above the spare. The hood ornament /radiator cap topper is a leaping lion made of cast silver, and in the middle of the front of the grille surround is a tasteful F badge within a circle.

Interior
Beautiful straight and clean gray felted broadcloth covers the embossed paneled doors. These have silver cranks and pulls and are very straight and clean. Inside a vertical tufted front and rear bench also covered in the gray felting appear as new. These sit in black metal tubs which float in gray carpeting. A large wood rimmed steering wheel is fronting a simple black dash that has a trio of silver framed on black background gauge frames. One has toggles, the central gauges and the right the speedometer and odometer with a trip odometer. Padded gray felting frames the dash top and adds just a bit of safety. A long wood topped shifter reaches for the driver from the floor and a shout out to the rear foot area which has a footrest. Above is a nice tight gray headliner. All very upscale and very clean and simple.

Drive-Train
Under the 4 piece cowled aluminum hood sits a 199ci air cooled inline 6-cylinder engine. Under a whale shaped black painted metal air covering is a single barrel Stromberg carburetor. On the back is a 3-speed manual transmission with 4.72 gears on the rear axle. A very nice job under this cowl, and no radiator!

Undercarriage
Some surface rust on suspension parts with some being heavy on the leaf springs and battery holder. Newer body hangers and wood floorboards, (literally!), are seen in good condition. Some oiling is noted on the bottom of the I-6. This car rides on 4-wheel leaf spring suspension, and stops with rear only mechanical drum brakes, so plan ahead.

Drive-Ability
She fires right up and idles smoothly. To the test track where it performed nicely. Smooth acceleration, good solid braking even though it's only mechanical drums. All comforts, and instruments were working nicely. Note the engine crank and wheel hub wrench can be found under the driver's seat.

The beneficiary of a fully documented with photos and receipts of the restoration of every aspect of the process. All aluminum body from the factory save for the 4-piece cowled hood. An air-cooled engine, and all new design for this year, and we are rolling with class and shades of Rolls-Royce from that designer they captured from that company. We throw in some wonderful Franklin books, and you will not only be looking good, but be knowledgeable of this wonderful rare, maybe 1,300 surviving cars in total, car. Spare parts are also available for additional cost from the consignor.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.