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Chalmers, Long Forgotten?



The Chalmers name, at least in automotive circles, is now long forgotten. Like many American automotive companies, Chalmers was based in Detroit, Michigan, at a time when this city truly was the car capital of the world. The company was named after Hugh Chalmers of the National Cash Register Company, who purchased the interests of ER Thomas in the Thomas-Detroit company in 1908, and renamed the company Chalmers-Detroit. The name was changed to simply “Chalmers” in 1911.

Chalmers flourished in the 1910s. During 1917, following the April United States Declaration of War against Germany, Maxwell Motor Co took over Chalmers' operations to make cars and trucks for the US Government. Chalmers then faltered in the post-World War I recession in 1920. It merged with the Maxwell Automobile Company, forerunner of Chrysler, in 1922, and terminated production in late 1923.

With a 115 in (2921 mm) wheelbase on 34 in (86 cm) wheels, the Chalmers cars were expensive for the period. The 30 Touring and the 30 Roadster sold for US$1500, while the competitors included the Oldsmobile Runabout priced at US$650, the Cole 30 priced at US$1500 and the Oakland 40 priced at US$1600. The Chalmers 30 Coupe weighted in at US$2400, priced closer to the competition Enger 40 at approximately US$2000. Rounding out the Chalmers range were the 40 Touring and 40 Roadster, both priced at approx US$2750 and the Chalmers 40 Torpedo at US$3000. These prices were competitive, with the nearest rival being priced at US$4250.

Like Maxwell, the brand is now owned by Chrysler.
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