Air Cooled News

FRANKLIN CLUB (including a detailed account of Air Cooled News history) by Club Historian Sinclair Powell - as featured in ACN issue #173:


THE FIRST DECADE: THE BEGINNING
The time was November, 1951, at which date the United States was deeply involved in the war between North and South Korea. At this time and location was gathered a small group of people driving a few unique vehicles. Those pe

rsons were enthusiastic owners of America’s historic air cooled car, the Franklin. This group of pioneers met to form an organization, to be named The H.H. Its purpose, generally, would be to increase the prestige of the Franklin name, to make knowledge of these air cooled cars more broadly available, to encourage the restoration of the vehicles, and to promote fraternal spirit among Franklin owners. Membership would be limited to those persons owning Franklin cars or (interestingly) some other air cooled vehicle. While broad-based vintage car clubs had been established for some years–notably the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Horseless Carriage Club and the Veteran Motor Car Club of America–the creation of single-marque organizations was very much in its infancy. The establishment of The H.H. Franklin Club in the fall of 1951 would precede that of the Pierce-Arrow Society in 1957, and the Cadillac-LaSalle Club in 1958. Other single-marque clubs would come into being at still later dates. It was clear that the infant H.H. Franklin Club initially would to a considerable degree be an informal organization. No effort was made to incorporate the group. Membership would be achieved by mailing in the applicant’s name and address, together with a description of air cooled vehicles owned. Dues would be voluntary, and could be paid in one of two ways: by the submission of articles for publication in future issues of a Franklin-oriented newsletter, or by making a donation of from one to five dollars to the Club treasurer. The persons responsible for early organization and development of The H.H. Franklin Club were widely separated geographically. Ralph Keys, of Whittier, California, and Thomas Hubbard, of Tucson, Arizona, would serve respectively as President and Newsletter Editor of the new organization (Keys and Hubbard had taken the initiative in the west in organizing the Club), while Clifford Boram, of Maywood, Illinois, would hold down the post of Treasurer. In the eastern sector of the country Arthur H. Amick, Jr., and his son Miles S. Amick, both of Cumberland, Maryland, would play key roles in helping the Club get underway. Dr. George Boyer, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, also had proposed at an early date that a Franklin group be organized. No newly organized vintage car club could expect to long survive without two key elements: a club publication and a plan for periodic meetings. In January, 1953, the first issue of the Air-Cooled News, “Publication of The H.H. Franklin Club”, made its appearance (the limited nature of Club finances in those early days can be noted when it was stated on page one of the ACN that the editor and the treasurer personally paid the cost of the first issue!). It was clear from the beginning that this new publication, in addition to serving as a forum for Club affairs, would also perform the equally important function of recording the history of the Franklin car and company, and the persons associated with both. The second issue of the ACN continued the format of the first. This issue, dated June, 1953, discussed the voluntary dues plan which, regrettably, was not producing enough income to underwrite the cost of a third issue. Members of the Club were urged to send the sum of $2.50 to the Club treasurer if they felt Air Cooled News was worthwhile and wished it to continue! With fiscal matters dealt with, the publication then turned to Franklin history. A Club member, Carl Doman, who had been chief research engineer with the Franklin firm contributed two articles, one dealing primarily with the development of the twelve-cylinder engine by the company, and the second with the eight-cylinder power plant which was partially developed but never placed in production by the Franklin firm. Another member, Clifford Boram, authored an interesting and well-researched article on the history on the Franklin Series Nine, built from 1916 to 1922. He noted in his article that this model was manufactured for six full years by the H.H. Franklin firm, with its total production of 59,500 far exceeding that of any other series. With the appearance of the third issue of the ACN, dated November, 1953, important events in the organization and operation of The H.H. An introductory paragraph stated that following his first year in office, the former President had resigned last September 12. Five directors of the Club had been appointed, with their terms of office to last until formal by-laws for the governing of the Club were drawn up and ratified at a general meeting of Club members. The directors selected a new president. It was stated that a minimum of three issues of the ACN would be published annually. However, in the future the Club publication would be sent only to those persons who maintained current membership status through the payment of dues. With some trepidation the Club announced that plans had been made for an initial meet of Club members in Syracuse the following September (1954). It was mentioned, however, that this was only a tentative plan, and that expressions of serious interest would be sought by Club officers before any final arrangements were made. Other features of the third issue of the ACN included an extremely interesting article on the Airomobile, a three-wheel passenger car with a four-cylinder air cooled engine. The issue concluded with several pages of letters to the editor, many of which described air cooled vehicles owned by the letter writers. May of 1954 saw issue four of the ACN appear. A variety of items dealing with H.H. Franklin Club operations were featured in the publication. Paid memberships in the Club (annual dues now were set at $2.50) had reached the impressive figure of 173, with more individuals joining each week! A complete printed roster of members was promised for the near future. A constitution and by-laws, adopted by the advisory board, were set forth for examination by Club members. These provisions, to be utilized for governance of The H.H. Franklin Club, were models of brevity. The Club’s name and purpose were described, qualifications for membership listed, and an elected advisory board of seven members authorized. This board in turn was to elect from its membership the three officers of the Club – President, Secretary-Editor (of the Air Cooled News) and Treasurer. This trio would constitute the executive committee, responsible for management of the Club (H.H. Franklin had been appointed honorary chairman of the advisory board). An interesting provision called for all official business of the Club to be conducted through the medium of the Club publication, unless the executive committee deemed the calling of a business meeting advisable. It seems probable that the reason for this provision was the wide geographic spread of Club membership, making it difficult to convene a meeting at a central location. Finally, a brief article in the fourth ACN issue announced that due to overwhelming support by Club membership, the first H.H. Franklin Club general meeting was to be held in Syracuse, New York, on September 3 and 4, 1954. Issue five of the ACN, entitled The Special Classic Issue, was published just a few days before the convening of the first Franklin meet, now labeled the “Trek” (the name was derived from the well-known endurance tour held in the year 1910, when a Franklin car, was driven across a wide geographic area from New England to St. Louis, Missouri). This issue included articles on Franklin’s use of the wooden frame, and on the cross-country road trip of the Franklin V-12, just prior to that model’s introduction to the car-buying public in the spring of 1932. The principal feature of issue number five, however, was an extensive article describing classic and special body designs on the Franklin chassis by the editor. Tom Hubbard clearly had made an extraordinary effort to assemble a splendid group of pictures of custom bodies by top designers. Products of Dietrich, LeBaron, Willoughby, Locke, Merrimac, Murphy and others were featured, as well as attractive production bodies by deCausse, Walker, etc. A full 1,000 copies of this special classic issue were published, far more than enough to supply each member of The H.H. Franklin Club with a copy (the editor clearly anticipated the sale of many copies to non-members, thus helping spread the word about the Franklin car and The H.H. Franklin Club). The first Franklin Trek was held on schedule in Syracuse at the very beginning of September, 1954, and all who attended agreed that it was a great success! ACN number six contained a full description of this signature event. Nearly seventy persons came, bringing sixteen Franklin cars. Headquarters for this initial meet was the downtown Hotel Syracuse, which housed the persons attending and (in a nearby parking garage) the cars which had been driven (or trailered) to Syracuse. These vehicles ranged in age from 1905 models to 1934. A tour of the old Franklin plant was arranged, and a board of directors meeting was conducted at the very beginning of the two-day event. There was unanimous agreement among those attending that the “Trek” should be held annually, in Syracuse. The sixth issue of the ACN contained an article on the “Two Johns,” the renowned chief engineer of the Franklin firm, John Wilkinson, and the company’s highly capable technical specialist, John Burns. The issue further featured the 1954 membership roster of The H.H. The Club now could boast of 338 members, living in almost every state of the union plus several foreign countries! The initial 1954 Trek was followed by a second one which took place in late August of 1955. Twenty-five Franklin cars were registered for this event, and while no exact count of those attending was made, at the Friday night dinner it was reported that well over 100 persons were present. On Saturday a tour around Onondaga Lake was made, featuring all the Franklin cars at the Trek. Of special interest to everyone was the presence of Erwin George (“Cannon Ball”) Baker, the famous long-distance driver who in the late 1920s and very early 1930s, set innumerable speed records with Franklin cars! The year 1956 brought unhappy news to members of The H.H. On April 16 of that year Herbert H. Franklin passed away at his home on James Street in Syracuse. Franklin’s long life–he was just short of 90 at his death–covered a historical period from just after the American Civil War to the jet aircraft era of the 1950s. In issue ten of the ACN Carl Doman wrote a fitting tribute to the man, describing him as both a long-time leader of an important industrial concern and a pioneer in transportation in America. The third Trek of The H.H. Franklin Club took place in 1956, with headquarters again at the Hotel Syracuse. The turnout of members was similar in number to the second Trek held the previous year, but a slight increase in Franklin cars present, to thirty-one, was noted. Among the events at this annual meeting of Club members was the unveiling of a movie showing the reception given Charles Lindbergh in Syracuse nearly thirty years earlier, following the famous aviator’s trans-Atlantic flight. In issue twelve of the ACN the new editor, Arthur Amick, wielded a sharp pen while discussing a problem common to nearly all vintage automobile clubs: the tendency of members to “come and go.” He noted that on average The H.H. Franklin Club enrolled more than two new members each week, an impressive achievement for an organization of its size. However, offsetting this gain was a “disappointingly large number of dropouts,” so that the net increase often tended to be quite small. The editor recommended that a continuing campaign for new members be carried on, so that each year would show a good net gain despite the dropping out of the “fainthearted.” He pointed out that if a small number of enthusiasts could spend hundreds of hours of uncompensated time on H.H. Franklin Club matters because of a desire to see the Club grow and improve, the least the less-active ones could do would be to try to bring in one new member apiece each year. Sometime earlier it had been announced that an amendment to the by-laws providing for the formation of regions had been approved. Taking advantage of this new provision, some fifteen H.H. Franklin Club members on January 20, 1957, gathered in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, to consider the formation of a region. Following an extended discussion and exchange of ideas, the group decided to form the Susquehanna Region of The H.H. The territory covered by the new organization was to be the entire area within a two-hundred mile radius of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. An initial meeting of the new region was held at Dornsife, Pennsylvania, on April 7, 1957, with some twenty-five to thirty members in attendance. The first region of The H.H. Franklin Club thus clearly was underway! Trek number four was a keynote event in the year 1957 for Franklinites. Again held in Syracuse, with meet headquarters once more at the Hotel Syracuse, the two-day event attracted a record number of people, with 127 registrations plus a number of guests. Interesting talks were given by the director of the Onondaga Historical Association, and by Frank Leyerle, who held the position of service manager of The H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company. It should be noted that a number of interesting articles relating to various aspects of Franklin history appeared in several issues of the ACN during this period. Clifford Boram in No. eleven authored an article on Franklin-powered U.S. Army trucks of various capacities plus an armored command car. In a later issue, Captain George H. Rarey, commander of the U.S. Army Tank School at Ft. Meade, Maryland, noted the inadequacies of water-cooled engines in army tanks in both America and Great Britain, and came down strongly in favor of the air cooled engine. In the same issue, Carl Doman discussed the reasons for the swift disappearance of the Chevrolet “copper cooled” car from the scene in the early 1920s (initially it appeared that this car might seriously challenge Franklin for supremacy in the air cooled vehicle field). Also in the ACN was an insightful article by Harold M. Findley, in which he reviewed the financial history of the H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company from its earliest days, and sought to identify the reasons for the firm’s descent into bankruptcy in 1934 (Findley clearly felt that the abandonment of work on the proposed four-cylinder Model Z in 1922 by the Franklin firm might well have been a key factor in its ultimate downfall). Issue fifteen of the ACN included an interesting article on the exploits of “Cannon Ball” Baker during the period (1928-1930) when he set innumerable records while driving Franklin cars. This issue also featured a write-up of the amazing economy record set by a Franklin car in 1913, when a distance of 83.5 miles was driven on a single gallon of gasoline! In the first half of 1958, activities of several H.H. Franklin Club regions were noted in ACN sixteen. The Midwest Region was officially recognized. The Greater New York Region also came into existence. A birthday party was held by the earlier-established Susquehanna Region, with forty-three people attending. The fifth Trek was again held in Syracuse, in mid-August of 1958. At this function something new was tried: a drive to a park within town where Franklins which had been brought to the Trek could be displayed. In addition, former Franklin employees were invited to this display, and a number showed up. Two honorary members of the Club who were present at the Trek were introduced, Miss Gladys Bliss and Mrs. Clayton Carris. Following these introductions it was announced that Mrs. John L. Burns also had been elected to Honorary Membership (John Burns had passed away on February 4, 1958). Speaker at the Saturday night banquet was Carl Doman, who discussed the possibility of a small, low-cost car being produced in America. Interestingly, a relatively unique air cooled vehicle, the Fox, had been brought to the Fifth Trek. In January 1959, the first issue of the Franklin Newsletter appeared. This publication would supplement the ACN and provide an additional means of communication with Club members. The first decade in the history of The H.H. Franklin Club ended with the sixth Trek, held in August, 1959, again in Syracuse. Under new by-law provisions all officers would take over their positions on September 1 following the Trek rather than waiting until January 1 of the year following. Featured speaker at the event was Ed Marks, former chief engineer at the Franklin firm, who discussed the Franklin Olympic car and how it came into existence in a quite unique way. The still young organization could congratulate itself on completing nearly ten years of successful existence, with membership now well-over five hundred. Unlike many organizations which begin with a flourish and quietly fade away, The H.H. Franklin Club was able to gain strength with each successful year. This undoubtedly was due to the quality of the Club’s leadership, accompanied by the solid support of its overall membership! Presidents of The H.H. Franklin Club Editors of the Air Cooled News
During the 1950s
R.V. Keys Thomas Hubbard
Miles Amick Arthur Amick
W. Chapin Condit
Fred J. Pommer
Newsletter Editor
Dr. George Boyer


THE SECOND DECADE: FURTHER SUCCESS
Youthful and vigorous, The H.H. Franklin Club entered the second decade of its existence with interesting new achievements. It was announced early in this decade that still another region of the Club had been established, The Pacific Northwest. Soon afterward the creation of a new Club library also took place. This facility would be based in the Syracuse area. It was noted somewhat wryly that the library would open with bare shelves! However, this would swiftly change, with books, service manuals, parts catalogs and other items being steadily acquired. It was expected that the library would serve as an important research source for Club members who were restoring Franklin cars. Along with these achievements the Club publication was given special recognition by AACA for its articles dealing with automotive history. Trek Number 7 took place in August, 1960, with headquarters again at the Hotel Syracuse. The attendance was 140 persons, with 36 vehicles on hand. Principal speaker at the Trek was Raymond Dietrich, noted custom body designer who played a significant role in design of Franklin cars in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In August of 1961 Trek Number 8 was held again at the Hotel Syracuse. Attendance at this event was 141 persons, with 42 cars exhibited. Following a vigorous discussion it was agreed that steps should be taken to incorporate The H.H. Syracuse once more welcomed Franklinites for their Ninth Trek in August of 1962. Ray Dietrich was again the speaker at the banquet. Canada was represented at the Trek by a Club member from the far-off Province of Alberta! The Tenth Trek was held in the month of August, 1963. At the business meeting it was announced by the Club treasurer that membership now stood at 663, with the Club enjoying a substantial bank balance. Replicas of the Franklin “Lion” hood ornament were given as mementos of the meet to those attending. Speaker at the banquet was Leslie R. Henry, curator of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Mr. Henry described the beginnings of the “good roads” program in America and the key role played in this effort by Carl G. Fisher (Fisher also was the developer of the Indianapolis speedway). Syracuse again was the site of the 11th Trek. At the banquet John Carl Foster, Club member and lawyer from York, Pennsylvania, announced the incorporation of the Club in the State of Pennsylvania, and presented a copy of the incorporation certificate plus the seal and minute book to the president. 174 persons attended the banquet, and a total of 50 cars were at the Trek. It was announced that total Club membership now stood at 671. The proposed Great Lakes Region of the Club had become a reality, with Robert Green its first president. The 12th Trek took place in August, 1965, once more in Syracuse. In view of the interest shown by many members in technical sessions, it was proposed that the Trek be extended to three days, with Thursday being set aside as “Tech Day.” It was announced that Club membership had reached 672. The Friday lunch held at Drumlins now had become a Trek tradition. Some 215 persons attended the Saturday night banquet, with 36 one-time employees of the Franklin firm present as invited guests. The ACN editor noted that member Gordon Howard would take on the arduous task of developing an accurate car register. The Club expressed regret at learning some months earlier of the death of Carl Doman. A Southern California meet was held on July 10, 1966. The large group attending agreed that this successful event should be repeated each year. Trek 13 was held on August 17-20, 1966, once again in Syracuse. Club membership was announced as 647. The usual luncheon was held at the Drumlins Country Club on Friday, and the Onondaga State Park was again the site of the Saturday picnic. Speaker at the banquet was James Cregan, chief engineer at the Franklin Engine Company. No less than 58 cars had been brought to the Trek - a record. Trek 14 got underway in Syracuse in August, 1967. Friday saw the usual noon run to Drumlins, while on Saturday the Trek participants journeyed to the Yacht Club on Lake Onondaga for a picnic lunch. Tribute was paid to Arthur Amick, retiring after years of outstanding service as editor of the ACN. He would be succeeded by Henry Gray. It was reported that Club membership now was 663. In late September of 1967 a number of Franklinites met in Auburn, Massachusetts, to enjoy camaraderie and also to discuss the possible formation of a New England region of The H.H. Club President Henry Manwell and Librarian Leonard Aquilino were surprise visitors at the function. It was agreed by those present that a second meeting would be held in May or June of 1968, at which time the establishment of a region would be formally proposed. On the West Coast a second meet of the Southern California H.H. Franklin Club was held. A further report on H.H. Franklin Club regions was made early in 1968. The Greater New York Region, regrettably, was nearly extinct. To counterbalance this, the Susquehanna Region remained extremely active, with a major dinner meeting plus three other meets held each year. Normally 35 to 40 cars were displayed at these functions. The Great Lakes Region (Michigan and Ohio), after a flying start, had lapsed into inactivity, but revival was expected shortly. The Midwest Region reported recent meets which were quite successful. The Pacific Northwest Region had fallen by the wayside after some early successes. In Canada, while no region existed, a Club member drove his Franklin in the Cross Canada Tour to help celebrate our northern neighbor’s Centennial. Trek Number 15 was again held in Syracuse in August, 1968, but it would be based in the downtown area for the final time. With Club expenses having exceeded income for some time the treasury was nearly exhausted, and it was necessary to raise annual dues to eight dollars. The 16th Trek would be held north of Syracuse, in August, 1969, at the Randolph House Motel. This would be the final Trek of the 1960s. On Friday, Trek participants headed toward Cazenovia for a buffet lunch on the lawn of the Lake Meadows Inn (not all the Franklins were able to negotiate the steep hills en-route!). At the business meeting held on Friday evening it was reported that total Club membership now had reached 867, largest in the organization’s history! The Olympic sedan given to the Club by Mrs. William Mackey was auctioned off, and the proceeds placed in a special fund. Presidents of the H.H, Franklin Club Editors of Air Cooled News
During the 1960s
Dr. Robert Eckert Arthur H. Amick
William Gewand Henry Gray
Carl Doman
Tom Hubbard Club Librarian
Henry Manwell Leonard Aquilino, Jr. Robert Green

Newsletter Editor
Dr. George Boyer


THE THIRD DECADE: THE TRADITION CONTINUES
The H.H. Franklin Club entered the third decade of its existence a mature and confident organization. Early problems had been largely overcome, and the new Cazenovia College location selected for the annual Trek appeared to offer great promise. The Club’s physical headquarters, in the past literally non-existent, many felt might soon be located in this college facility. Club publications, particularly the Air Cooled News, had developed solid reputations among vintage car organizations. In July, 1970, the fiftieth issue of the ACN appeared, justifying at least a mild celebration! The 17th Trek, held in August, 1970, was new in every way; the new location at Cazenovia College, and a new program. As was stated in the November, 1970, issue of the ACN, it “broke the mold and set a new pattern.” College life was experienced again by those attending, with dormitory rooms and meals in the college cafeteria. 176 persons were registered for the event (from 22 states and Canada), with 40 Franklins plus an Airomobile and a Tucker brought by members. The entire opening day Thursday was devoted to technical sessions—the final session did not end until after 11 PM! The luncheon buffet at Lake Meadows Inn plus the picnic at Chittenango Falls State Park were enjoyed by everyone! Prior to the Trek a West Coast meeting of The H.H. Franklin Club was held in Fresno, California. The turnout was excellent, with some Club members who attended coming from Ohio, Michigan and even Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. An all-day trip through Yosemite Park was enjoyed by those attending. A second West Coast meet of The H.H. Franklin Club was again held in Fresno, California, on April 22-24, 1971. It seemed clear that this might become an annual event, something very appealing to those West Coast members who did not relish the long trip east to attend the Trek. The name “Westrek” would now be used for this event. In late June a fourth Northeast “Reunion” was held in Chatham, New York, by members of that region. The 18th Trek, again held at Cazenovia College, August, 1971, was attended by an enthusiastic group, a number of whom arrived well before the official starting date. Wednesday morning, August 18, saw the early bird group journey across country to the Utica Club Brewery. Thursday brought the tech sessions, which extended into Friday morning with a car clinic on the green. Saturday, unfortunately, brought heavy rain, which forced cancellation of most outdoor activities. Henry Gray, editor of the ACN, gave notice of termination for his position (Allen Franklin would succeed him). Some 161 persons attended the banquet. The western contingent of The H.H. Franklin Club held its third annual Westrek on May 18-20, 1972 at Santa Rosa, California, in a beautiful area of rolling hills. Some 92 persons attended, with 18 Franklins displayed. A fourth Westrek was held in 1973. In 1974 the fifth Westrek was held in Reno, Nevada, on May 23, 24 and 25, with William Harrah (of Harrah’s Casino fame) as a gracious host! Cazenovia College was again the site of a Franklin Trek, number nineteen, held in August, 1972. Once more a substantial number of people arrived ahead of schedule, and thus were on hand for the Early Bird Tour to the Oneida County Airport. At this facility the group was given a guided tour through the Edwin Link Training Center, used to train flight and ground service personnel in the operation and maintenance of modern aircraft. Thursday was devoted to tech sessions held on the Cazenovia College campus. The Friday picnic at Lake Meadows Inn was moved indoors because of the usual Trek nemesis, rain. Guest speaker at the banquet was Hugo Pfau, auto designer, who worked in the 1920s and early 1930s with a number of renowned coachbuilders. A revised Club constitution and by-laws were adopted by the board of directors. H.H. Franklin Club members were saddened to hear at this time that the Franklin factory was being demolished. The demolition process was a long and difficult one, with dynamite finally being used to bring down the walls. The cleared site would be used for a public school. Many hoped that some type of memorial might be placed on or near the site to note its historical significance. The 20th through 23rd Treks, held each August in 1973 through 1976, continued at Cazenovia College, which clearly had become the permanent location for The H.H. Franklin Club’s key annual event. The number of Franklins displayed at the Treks showed a steady increase, with 57 on hand at the twenty-first, 66 at the twenty-second, and 70 at the twenty-third Trek. Obviously, owners of vintage air cooled cars had come to appreciate the security of the college site. Two distinguished speakers gave talks during this period: Long Island Museum owner Henry Austin (“Austy”) Clark at the 21st Trek and Professor David Lewis of the University of Michigan Business School at the 22nd. At each Trek the men attending spent all day Thursday at the tech sessions, where a broad variety of subjects were discussed (the women attending the Trek found this a splendid opportunity to explore local shops!). Friday lunch at the Lake Meadows Inn, the Saturday evening banquet, and the cocktail party preceding it had become traditional events at annual Treks, and were enjoyed by everyone. The sixth annual Westrek was held on May 20-22, 1975, at Claremont, California. Tours to a steel mill, a winery and a steam locomotive exhibit were enjoyed by those attending the event. The seventh Westrek was held in May, 1976, in the San Francisco Bay area, with events taking place in Palo Alto and Los Altos. The Stanford Linear Accelerator was one of the sites visited. A substantial turnout of Club members was reported, many driving their Franklins. On the other side of the globe, two owners of 1904 Franklin cross-engine models participated with their vehicles in the November, 1974, London to Brighton run in Southeast England. Also in the late spring and early summer of 1975 the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast Regions of The H.H. Franklin Club all held interesting and well-attended meets. The 1977 Westrek featured several tours to places of interest in the beautiful Puget Sound area of the state of Washington. Thirty-three Franklin cars were brought by their owners to this event, with many other participants driving modern vehicles. The 24th annual Franklin Trek was held in late August of 1977, again (no surprise!) at Cazenovia College. Early bird tours included boat rides on the Erie Barge Canal and Lake Onondaga. The Thursday tech session and car clinic plus the parts department kept the men happy. The Friday luncheon at Lake Meadows Inn featured two tables for one-time Franklin employees. Guest speaker at the banquet was Howard Franklin, nephew of H.H., who reminisced about his experiences working at the Franklin plant (he mentioned being fired more than once!). Many states of the union were represented by the record number of persons attending the 25th Franklin Annual Trek, held once again at Cazenovia College on August 15-20, 1978. A full 357 members and guests were present, with 78 Franklins on display on the college green. The early days of the Trek were given over to field trips, including one to the Syracuse China factory (interesting but hot!). On Thursday the men attended the tech session, or browsed in the parts department. The women who attended the Trek, however, participated in an activity which was equally interesting, a “fashion fantasia”. A number of the ladies modeled such outfits as tea gowns, lounging apparel, cover girl outfits, sea shore suits and ball gowns. Tea was served afterwards, and all agreed that it was a gala occasion! At the annual meeting held on Saturday morning it was recommended that annual dues be increased to fifteen dollars, to ensure that a high level of service to members be maintained. Guest speaker at the closing banquet was James Watson of Marietta, Ohio, a person long associated with the sale of Franklin cars. In the 1970s, in addition to the recognized regions, informal groups of Franklin owners held meetings in various sections of the country. Two of these were in Connecticut and on Long Island. In the spring of 1979 a group of Franklinites from six Mid-Atlantic States gathered in Wi******er, Virginia, for an informal meet. Also in the spring the Midwest Region of the Club held a well-attended meet in the St. Croix River Valley near Hudson, Wisconsin. The 1979 Westrek was held in the Tucson, Arizona area in connection with the annual meet of the western division of AACA. Numerous tours were taken through many sectors of South-Central Arizona, with visits being made to the winter retreat of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The 26th Annual Trek of The H.H. Franklin Club would be the final one of the decade of the 1970s. Early bird tours included an interesting visit to the nearby Agway Research Center. At the annual meeting of the Club it was reported by the treasurer that paid membership had reached the record number of 1,120! A total of 63 Franklins were registered at the 1979 event. The decade of the 1970s ended with The H.H. Franklin Club in sound condition. Membership was at an all-time high, and the Club’s financial position was solid. The Club’s principal publication, the Air Cooled News, was thriving, with each issue containing well-written historical articles. The former Newsletter and Dealer Bulletins had been succeeded by the Service Station, which would provide highly useful technical information to members. All-in-all, the future appeared bright! Franklin Club Editors of the Air Cooled News
During the 1970s
Ronald W. Andrew Henry Gray
Albert McCarthy Allan Franklin
David T. Doman Tom Hubbard
Arnold Christiansen William Gewand
Eugene Kosche
Librarian
Leonard Aquilino, Jr. Service Station Editor
David T. Doman


THE FOURTH DECADE: YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT

The decade of the 1980s opened with somber news for Franklinites. The deaths of Hugh Goodhart, manager of advertising and sales promotion at the Franklin firm for a twenty-year period; Stella Tague, personal secretary to H.H. Franklin for decades; Raymond H. Dietrich, design consultant to the Franklin firm for a number of years; and Arthur Amick, one of the key persons in The H.H. Franklin Club from the beginning of its existence, shocked everyone. The four would be very much missed. The first year of the 1980s opened with the 27th Franklin Trek, held on August 12-17, 1980 (on a personal note this was the initial Trek attended by the author of this history, who traveled with David Doman from Ann Arbor, Michigan. He remembers with pleasure the cordial greeting he was given by Sandy Vorel at the sign-in desk; the overall friendliness of the Trekkers; and the extremely large meals served in the college cafeteria!) This Trek got underway with a series of field trips for the early arrivals, continued with a very nice picnic at the Lake Meadows Inn on Friday, and ended with the cocktail party and sumptuous banquet on Saturday evening. Three hundred and twenty persons were registered for the event, undoubtedly a record, while Dr. George Boyer (in the now well-known “Boyer Report”) listed 64 cars at the Trek. Various issues of the ACN often noted honors given to members of The H.H. Issue 82, dated July, 1981, contained a story announcing the conferring of the “Franklin Award for Distinguished Service in Transportation” on W. Chapin Condit, of Syracuse, New York, former president of The H.H. The award was given by the School of Management at Syracuse University in a ceremony held on April 2, 1981. Dr. Theodore Wallin, an extremely fine person, was at this time head of the Franklin Program in Transportation Management, originally established by H.H. Franklin. In 1981 William Gewand terminated his editorship of the ACN. In doing so he extended thanks to a number of Franklinites who assisted him during his years as editor. It should be noted that his co-editors were Dorothy M. Gewand and Marlene S. Gewand. Henry Manwell now would take over as editor of the News. The 28th annual Trek (1981) got under way with a small number of earlybirds arriving on Sunday, August 9. Many more arrived on Monday, and by the end of the day 68 persons were on hand. Tuesday was actually the first day (officially) of the Trek, and a trip to Tully, New York, to visit the home of a Club member was scheduled. A visit to Manlius and the Manlius Museum was undertaken on Wednesday, while the women attending the Trek journeyed to Utica on Thursday to shop at an outlet center. Saturday found most of the Trekkers taking a trip to Colgate University for lunch, while everyone enjoyed the cocktail party and closing banquet in the evening. Sixty-three Franklin cars were displayed at this event. The Treks from 1982 through 1989 followed a consistent pattern. All were held at Cazenovia College, which not only had clearly become the permanent location of the Trek, but now also was designated as the National Headquarters of The H.H. Franklin Club (storage and other space had been made available for Club purposes on a year-around basis). Treks were consistently held in the month of August, but the opening day of these events was gradually advanced to Tuesday of what was now being called “Trek Week”. Two and often more technical sessions were now held at each Trek, normally on Thursdays and on Friday mornings. A broad range of subjects were covered at these sessions, with ample time allowed for questions. Obviously, the technical program was of inestimable value to the many Club members who were involved with restoration projects, or who merely wished to keep their vintage Franklins in tip-top shape. In most years the ACN published articles which described in some detail these technical sessions and the subjects covered. As a supplement to the technical sessions, “car clinics” were held on the green at the college, giving each person whose car was performing in less than a flawless manner the opportunity to obtain hands-on assistance in making necessary adjustments or repairs. It also should be mentioned that a “parts department” had been in operation at each Trek, where essential Franklin parts were available for sale. Tours were an important part of each Trek, and those participating saw many interesting sites in Upstate New York . At least two visits to the Cooperstown area were scheduled, with Club members enjoying lunch each time at the Otesaga Hotel. A tour of the Cornell University campus was enjoyed by Club members one year, while Colgate University was visited on another occasion. A particularly interesting tour of Alexandria Bay and the Thousand Islands was a feature of the 1986 Trek. Visits to various sites in the vicinity of Cazenovia also were frequently scheduled. Any description of Trek activities in the 1980s would be incomplete without adequate mention of women’s functions. Fashion parades, style shows and related events kept the fairer s*x thoroughly occupied. Throughout the 1980s meets involving Franklin Club members were held in various parts of the country. The Westrek had become a popular annual event. It attracted 100 to 200 persons at typical sessions, with 30 to 40 Franklins displayed. Unlike the principal Trek, which was firmly anchored in Cazenovia, the Westrek was held in a variety of locations, ranging from Southern California to the State of Washington. The Midwest Region remained active, with meets held twice yearly. This group also scheduled its events in several states, including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The New England Region held a majority of its meets in Massachusetts, with at least one event scheduled yearly. Another group of Franklinites, mostly from Vermont, joined owners of other marques at annual meets held in Bennington in that state. On the business side, finances of The H.H. Franklin Club had stabilized, with the Club Treasurer reporting a healthy cash balance each year. Other good news: The application of the Club for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, handled by John Rendemonti, had been approved in late August of 1989! Franklin Club Editors of Air Cooled News
During the 1980s
Richard McKnight William Gewand
Frank Wemple Henry Manwell
Carl Barker Richard Burnham
Neil Sugermeyer Dan Rollyson
Edward Wyle

Editors of the Franklin
Service Station
David Doman
Roy Canfield


THE FIFTH DECADE: PROGRESS ON ALL FRONTS

A mature H.H. Franklin Club could report a number of solid achievements during the early years of the decade of the 1990s. With the grant of 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service, it clearly had become necessary for the organization to modify and update the structure and rules under which it operated. A special committee to examine and recommend changes in the Club’s by-laws was established, chaired by Marlene Zimmerman. This committee, following comprehensive study, made a number of recommendations for by-law modifications, which were approved by the Club’s board of directors. Another accomplishment was the transfer to the Club by Tom Hubbard of some 21,000 ink-on-linen engineering drawings from the former H.H. Franklin firm. Reproductions of these drawings could be made available at modest cost to all Club members, who would find them of substantial value in restoring Franklin cars. Other achievements included the publication of a new roster of members and a register of vehicles owned by Franklinites; and the raising of the Doman Scholarship Fund to the dollar amount ($10,000) required by McPherson College for this fund to be included in its named scholarship program. It should be noted that at this point Doman Scholarships were being awarded annually to students in the Automotive Technology Program at McPherson. Those receiving the awards often sent letters to officers of The H.H. Franklin Club expressing their gratitude for this assistance (in some instances the student recipients stated frankly that it was this financial aid that made it possible for them to attend college!). The H.H. Franklin Club celebrated the Fortieth Anniversary of its existence in 1991. A very pleasant message was received from Samuel Skinner, the United State Secretary of Transportation, congratulating the Club and its members “for preserving the legacy of a true and distinguished American classic.”

The year 1993 brought tragic news to the members of The H.H. Tom Hubbard, a co-founder of the Club, initial editor of the Air-Cooled News and a major contributor of articles of outstanding quality to that publication, died on January 2nd following an extended illness. Issue No. 117, dated March 1993, was dedicated to Tom Hubbard, and contained a number of tributes to his memory from members of The H.H. Following Tom Hubbard’s passing it was announced that the H.H. Franklin Foundation had been established in the State of Arizona by Tom prior to his death, and that it began operating in January, 1993. The foundation was started by Tom Hubbard to perpetuate the collection of Franklins he had acquired over a forty-plus-year period, and to provide an opportunity to develop an educational museum which would contain facilities to maintain, restore and exhibit his Franklin cars and related items. The Foundation would be separate from The H.H. Franklin Club, but would have many similar goals. Its governing body, a board of trustees, would include one or more representatives of the Club. Throughout the decade of the 1990s The H.H. Franklin Club continued to hold its annual Trek at Cazenovia College in August of each year. As was noted earlier, the starting date of the Trek was steadily being scheduled for an earlier day, so that by 1990 the event encompassed an entire week. Tours to many areas of interest continued to be scheduled, ranging from locations near Cazenovia to others much further distant, such as Cooperstown and Corning. The trip to nearby Chittenango Falls State Park had become very much an annual event. Following breakfast or lunch at the park, the “Franklin Olympics” took place. These did not involve athletic contests between individuals, but instead competitions between Franklin cars and their crews (drivers and passengers). In August, 1992 the Trek featured a unique event. Ever since the old Franklin factory fronting on South Geddes Street in Syracuse had been demolished, there had been discussion among various persons and groups about the desirability of placing some type of commemorative marker on the site. In 1992 The H.H. Franklin Club took the initiative in turning a wish into reality. A plaque, inscribed on two sides with information about the company, its leaders, and the car which was produced, was placed along South Geddes Avenue on the periphery of the plant site. The dedication function was attended by the Mayor and other officials from the City of Syracuse together with a large group of Franklinites, a number of whom drove Franklin automobiles to the affair. Franklin Club also provided key assistance to a Syracuse organization carrying out a project of historic significance. The Onondaga Historical Association (based in Syracuse) had for some time been developing an exhibit featuring the Franklin automobile. As a key part of this exhibit the association definitely wished to display an early Franklin car. Clearly the most logical vehicle for this purpose would be the first Franklin sold, the so-called Averell cross-engine car. However, the Smithsonian Institution, which owned this vehicle, while indicating a somewhat favorable attitude toward a long-term loan of the Averell car, laid down very strict conditions. One of these was tight climate control around the loaned Franklin, plus a six-month pre-loan test period to prove the adequacy of any climate control system installed. Franklin Club assisted the Historical Association in dealing with this dilemma by offering to make available two members’ cross-engine cars for display during the “trial” period. The Club also agreed to provide (from members’ donations and Club funds) financial backing for the project. Thanks in part to this valuable assistance the Averell vehicle ultimately was loaned to the Historical Association, and thus made available for viewing by a substantial group of people. During the 1990s, the Club’s various affiliate groups continued to undertake very interesting activities. West Coast Franklinites who enjoyed attending events in their own section of the country found the Westreks, such as the one in Yellowstone Park in June, 1991, to be highly worthwhile. In the central states the Franklin Midwest Region continued its program of scheduling two meets each year, one in the late spring and the second in the early fall. The Spring, 1992 Midwest Meet in McPherson, Kansas gave the Franklinites who attended an excellent opportunity to observe at first hand the Automotive Technology Program at McPherson College. The new Charles Lindbergh Region, encompassing New York City, New Jersey and Long Island, got underway with several meets. The New England Region continued to be active, with meets held in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. In 1997 it was announced that the website initiated by Frank Hantack had been approved as The H.H. Franklin Club’s official homepage. Frank was authorized to create and continue to work on the website. This clearly would be an important new means of communication by the Club. In May, 1998, word was received that W. Chapin Condit had passed away at the age of 98. “Chape” had been a member of The H.H. Franklin Club since the very early days of its existence, and had done far more than his share of work to keep the Club a viable organization. He clearly would be missed by everyone. From time-to-time it was noted that very early Franklin cars had participated in the renowned London to Brighton Run, held in England annually the first Sunday in November and limited to vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 1905. In 1998 no less than three cross-engine Franklins, all with English owners, joined in the run! All three completed the run without any difficulty. In the early spring of 1999 The Society of Automotive Engineers Press released the book “The Franklin Automobile Company,” written by Club member Sinclair Powell. The book, a history of the innovative Franklin firm and the cars it built, was reviewed by automotive historian Keith Marvin in the July, 1999 issue of the ACN. Franklin Club Editors of the Air Cooled News
During the 1990s
Frank Hantack Dan E. Rollyson
Richard Burnham Neil Loysen
Charles Johnson Anthony Adams
Dan E. Rollyson
Susan Roberts Editors of the Franklin
Service Station
Roy Canfield
Tim Miller

Librarians
Peter Kunan
Lloyd Davis

THE SIXTH DECADE: NEW OPPORTUNITIES OPEN UP

The dawn of a new decade, and also of a new century, were celebrated by The H.H. Franklin Club as the year 2000 unfolded. The Club clearly could consider itself one of the most successful single marque organizations in America. With a membership stabilizing in the 900 range, with a headquarters at a well-established college, and with a group of dedicated volunteers willing to serve on its governing body and fill other important positions, it clearly could look to the past with pride and to the future with justifiable confidence. The ACN, through its publication of board of director minutes, helped keep the membership apprised of how the Club was being governed. The News, together with the Service Station, printed numerous technical articles which continued to be of substantial value to members in the restoration and maintenance of their Franklins. The ACN, perhaps more than any other automotive-related publication, continued to publish articles on automotive history generally, and particularly on the history of the Franklin firm and the car it manufactured. In the March, 2000, issue of the News (Number 138) excerpts from Franklin Dealer Bulletins of the late 1920s and early 1930s were published. These bulletins listed persons of prominence many years ago who had purchased Franklin automobiles. The group was almost of Who’s Who in America caliber. Included among the customers were distinguished doctors, bankers, lawyers, judges and corporate executives, plus important authors and educators. One individual, a classmate of John Wilkinson at Cornell in the late 1880s, was John R. Mott, who was awarded a Nobel Prize in the 1940s! In the year 2001 members of The H.H. Franklin Club celebrated the Club’s fiftieth anniversary. To help the ACN adequately commemorate the anniversary, questionnaires were sent to past presidents and other Club members asking, in effect, what were their memories of the Club and what did the Club mean to them. The responses were interesting, and some of them are recounted here:

“It is the best club I have ever been associated with. No car judging is one of its greatest assets.”
“The Franklin Club really is an extended family, with friendships lasting over generations.”
“The common denominator over the years? That intangible Franklin spirit.”
“The people mean much. They are like an extended family of fine friends.”
“What we like best about the Club is: the camaraderie of fellow Franklinites……”
“I have enjoyed all the people, all the different classes, from professionals to all types of workers–they all have one thing in common–Franklins.”
“I have met people of all ages from all over the United States and Canada, and I consider them all as my friends.”
“One thing I especially like about the Treks – is that there is no judging. This allows us to enjoy one another and the cars in a relaxed atmosphere.”

The year 2002 brought another highly significant milestone in Franklin history – the Centennial of the Franklin Automobile. An all-day celebration of this 100-year landmark event was scheduled as part of the 49th Franklin Trek, which having been extended to a nine day affair would take place from August 8-16. The key activity, the celebration, would be held in downtown Syracuse on Sunday, August 11. Some 560 Trekkers, of all ages and from as far away as Australia, attended the Trek and the ceremony. A stage had been set up in a downtown square, on which speeches of welcome were made by the mayor of Syracuse and a state senator. A congratulatory certificate from the Society of Automotive Historians was presented to President Sorrell of The H.H. A Dixieland jazz band was present to make the function a bit more festive. Down the street at the Onondaga Historical Association a seminar on Franklin history was held. Back at the stage a presentation was made by Chet and Marlene Zimmerman, at which the evolution of various models of the Franklin car was discussed. Substantial numbers of people from the Syracuse area watched the various events, including the procession of some 130 Franklin cars driven by Club members. All-in-all the downtown program was considered a great success! The various regions, and more informal Franklin groups, continued to be exceptionally active during the decade 2000-2010. The Westrek was, as usual, held in a variety of locations, ranging from Leavenworth, Washington (where those attending toured a sawmill, a candy factory and a dam powerhouse) to Lake Tahoe, Nevada. One of the most interesting of the Westreks was held in June, 2005, with headquarters at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. This location made it possible for the participants to spend four or more days touring Yosemite, where they could enjoy spectacular views of mountain peaks, waterfalls, gorges and redwood forests. The long climbs up mountain roads resulted in several breakdowns of Franklin cars, but with numerous “expert mechanics” among the group these problems were swiftly dealt with! The Midwest Region continued its schedule of twice-a-year meets, at locations spread out over a number of states. One function was held on a lake in central Michigan, while other sites ranged geographically from St. Louis in the west to New Jersey in the east. The New England Region also was quite active, with its meets rotated among Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Franklinites on Long Island met fairly frequently, while again in the far west informal meets occasionally were held by Franklin owners in the State of Washington. Franklinites in the Lehigh Valley area of Eastern Pennsylvania also met monthly in informal dinner sessions. Franklin Treks continued to be held annually through the first decade of the Twenty-first Century. However, in another part of the world a small group of Franklinites took the bold step of organizing what they chose to term an “Austrek.” Several owners of Franklin cars living in the subcontinent of Australia planned a tour of two Australian states, New South Wales and Queensland, and invited persons from America to join them! Two American couples accepted the invitation. The small group (six couples in all) visited many areas of interest, and participated in a number of activities that were very challenging physically. In general a good time was had by all, and the visiting Americans said they would be the first ones to sign up for the next “Austrek.”

Later in the decade an extraordinary opportunity was offered to The H.H. Franklin Club and its members. Robert Kern, a Wisconsin industrialist who for decades had been strongly interested in vintage automobiles, expressed to the Club a desire to see a museum developed which could be used to house his splendid collection of Franklin cars. He wished to have the museum placed under the overall control of an organization which could construct a building, handle financial matters in a responsible manner, and properly manage the facility on a long-term basis. He was prepared to make a major gift to finance such a project. As for location, he expressed a preference for the Gilmore Museum at Hickory Corners, Michigan. Franklin Club strongly wished to have a permanent facility with which it could identify, under the name of “Franklin.” Mr. Kern’s proposal clearly presented an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal. Financial and related details were worked out with Robert Kern and with the Gilmore Museum (The Club and its members would contribute to an endowment fund), and on a cold, windswept day in May, 2009, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the building which would house the Franklin Automobile Collection at Hickory Corners. The structure externally would be modeled after the Ralph Hamlin Franklin Dealership building in Los Angeles, California. A year later, on the weekend of May 13-15, 2010, the ceremony marking the grand opening of the collection was held (the opening ceremony was held in conjunction with the spring meet of the Franklin Midwest Region). Franklin Club now could claim a facility very much its own! It would be a fitting commemoration of the Club’s sixtieth year of existence in 2011. During the decade a new book on Franklin history, “Vintage Franklin: A History of the Car in Its Time” was published, edited by Mark Chaplin. It contained a large number of pictures, which were used effectively to tell the Franklin story. Franklin Club Editors of the Air Cooled News
During the Decade 2000-2010
Susan Roberts Steve Braverman
Clyde (Tex) Sorrell Anthony Adams (Pro Tem)
Brendan Hogan Pierre and Susan Lavedan
Dan DeRusha
Mark Sullivan Editor of the Franklin
Robert Amon Service Station
Tim Miller

Chair, Gilmore Advisory
Committee
Robert Harrison


A concluding note by the author of this history: Because of space limitations it has not been possible to list the many persons who over the years of The H.H. Franklin Club’s existence have contributed greatly to effective Club management. This group would include such officers as vice-president, secretary, treasurer and membership coordinator, plus the large number of directors. On the publications side, it also has not been possible to list the persons who filled the editorial positions (including photographers and artists) on ACN, and thus helped immeasurably in making the News the effective publication it has been. A tip of the hat also should be given to the many contributors of excellent historical articles to the News, and also to the contributors of technical articles to the Service Station. The writer also wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to those numerous persons who contributed articles in Air Cooled News relating to H.H. Franklin Club history and Club activities. These were drawn on extensively to compile this 60-year history of the Club. In addition, the writer desires to thank the persons who provided him with additional information on the history of the Club through telephone interviews and written communications. These individuals include Ronald Andrew, Clifford Boram, Arnold Christiansen, Jr., James Crippen, Lloyd Davis, Henry Gray, Henry Manwell, Mrs. Jack Wadsworth, and Marlene Zimmerman. Thanks also are due Lloyd Davis, Club librarian, for supplying copies of Air Cooled News and The Newsletter. Finally, let me express my deep appreciation to my wife, Suzanne, who worked with me every step of the way in preparing this history of the Club. Without her help the project could not possibly have been completed. Sinclair Powell