1928 Franklin Airman Sport Sedan, Personal Car of Charles A. Lindbergh

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Artifact Overview

Franklin automobiles, built from 1902 until 1934, were distinguished by their air-cooled engines. When Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic with an air-cooled motor in 1927, Franklin played up the connection by introducing an "Airman" sedan and giving this example to the aviator. In turn, Lindbergh gave the car to Henry Ford in 1940 for inclusion in Henry Ford Museum.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1928

Creator Notes

Made by the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company, which later became Franklin Automobile Company, in Syracuse, New York.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

40.222.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Charles A. Lindbergh.

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant Material)
Glass (Material)
Leather
Rubber (Material)
Nickel (Metal)
Mohair

Color

Black (Color)
Cream (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 71 in
Width: 67 in
Length: 184.5 in

Inscriptions

Plate on dash/firewall: H.H. FRANKLIN MFG. CO. / SYRACUSE, NY., USA / FRANKLIN / REG. US PAT. OFF. / CHASSIS NO. X-176972L12 / PATENTED / etc.
1928 Franklin Airman Sport Sedan, Personal Car of Charles A. Lindbergh