Smith and Mabley

Smith and Mabley was an early American automobile company established in New York City in 1900 by A. D. Proctor Smith and his brother-in-law, Carlton R. Mabley. It began primarily as an importer and distributor of European motor vehicles at a time when the American automobile market was still developing and many technically advanced cars were being brought in from France and other European countries. Its imported marques included C. G. V., Panhard, Renault and Mors, with Mercedes and Isotta Fraschini added later. The company also became an early participant in domestic automobile production. In 1902 it began building cars under license from the French C. G. V. manufacturer. These vehicles were sold under the American C. G. V. name. The program was short-lived: only seven cars were built in 1902 and early 1903, using tonneau bodies supplied by J. M. Quinby & Sons and assembled by Rome Locomotive Works in New York. Smith and Mabley then returned to importing C. G. V. vehicles. In 1903, the company resumed plans for manufacturing and acquired a seven-story facility on East 83rd Street in New York. Engineer G. Edward Franquist designed the plant and served as both chief engineer and superintendent. Franquist, whose work was influenced by European performance and luxury cars, developed the four-cylinder engineering platform that became central to the company's next automobile marque. Smith and Mabley's offices, showroom and garage were also moved to a building at 513–519 Seventh Avenue. Production was organized through the Smith & Mabley Manufacturing Company. The resulting S & M Simplex was introduced for the 1904 model year. The range used four-cylinder engines and included the 30/35-horsepower touring car as well as a smaller 18-horsepower model. Power was delivered through a four-speed transmission and chain drive. Over subsequent model years, Smith and Mabley offered touring cars, runabouts, broughams and larger enclosed limousines, with varying wheelbases and engine outputs. The automobiles were positioned toward the upper end of the American market, with 1907 factory prices ranging from approximately $4,950 for a runabout to $6,400 for a limousine; these figures are historical list prices rather than modern financial data. The company also pursued competition and marine-engine development. A 75-horsepower S & M Simplex racing car entered the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup, although frame modifications made to reduce weight contributed to a structural failure during the event. Frank Croker and his mechanic were later killed in 1905 during a speed run at Ormond-Daytona Beach while driving a Simplex racing car and attempting to avoid a motorcycle. Separately, a Franquist-designed four-cylinder engine was used in racing motorboats, including Vingt-et-Un, Challenger and Dixie I. Dixie I won the Harmsworth Trophy in 1907. Smith and Mabley faced legal and financial pressure during its brief manufacturing career. In 1903 it was involved, along with Winton, in litigation concerning infringement of the Selden patent. The companies later joined the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers, after which the lawsuit was dropped. A recession and stock-market declines in late 1906 contributed to the company's financial deterioration. Receivers were appointed, and Smith and Mabley was declared bankrupt in 1907. Herman Broesel Sr. acquired its assets and formed the Simplex Automobile Company, which continued production under the Simplex name. Smith and Mabley therefore represents both an important early American importer and a short-lived manufacturer whose engineering and assets fed into the later Simplex marque.

Smith and Mabley was founded in New York City in 1900 by A. D. Proctor Smith and Carlton R. Mabley as an importer of European motor vehicles. Its early portfolio included C. G. V., Panhard, Renault and Mors, followed by Mercedes and Isotta Fraschini. This importing activity placed the company among the early American firms that introduced European automotive engineering and luxury-car styles to domestic buyers. The company briefly moved into manufacturing in 1902, producing the American C. G. V. under license from the French C. G. V. concern. Seven cars were completed in 1902 and early 1903. They used tonneau bodies supplied by J. M. Quinby & Sons and were assembled by Rome Locomotive Works in Rome, New York. After this limited program ended, Smith and Mabley resumed importing C. G. V. cars. In 1903 the business made a more substantial commitment to production. It purchased a seven-story factory on East 83rd Street in New York, while its sales offices, showroom and garage moved to 513–519 Seventh Avenue. G. Edward Franquist designed the factory and became its chief engineer and superintendent. Franquist had a strong interest in European motor-car design and later became associated with the development of the Simplex automobile. The Smith & Mabley Manufacturing Company was organized to produce the new vehicles. Franquist designed a four-cylinder engine for the company's automobile and marine activities. Engines based on his work were used in racing motorboats such as Vingt-et-Un, Challenger and Dixie I; Dixie I subsequently won the 1907 Harmsworth Trophy. For road use, the company adopted the S & M Simplex name. Production began in 1904 with a 30/35-horsepower T-head four-cylinder model and a smaller 18-horsepower car. The cars used four-speed transmissions and chain drive. The larger model was offered in touring and other body styles, while the smaller model could be specified as a runabout or tonneau. The Simplex range developed through 1907. The 1905 line concentrated on the 30/35-horsepower model, including a longer-wheelbase brougham. In 1906 the model was described as a 30-horsepower automobile and was offered in five- and seven-seat touring configurations. For 1907, the 30/35-horsepower range returned with several wheelbases and body styles, and a more powerful 50/70-horsepower model was available as a five- to seven-seat enclosed limousine. The automobiles occupied the expensive end of the American market. Smith and Mabley sought publicity through competition. A 75-horsepower Simplex racer entered the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup, but extensive drilling of its frame to save weight weakened the structure and caused it to collapse during the contest. In 1905, Frank Croker and his mechanic were killed during a speed run on Ormond-Daytona Beach when the car swerved to avoid a motorcycle. These events illustrate both the public visibility and risks associated with early motor racing. The company also became involved in the Selden patent dispute. In 1903 Smith and Mabley and Winton were sued for alleged infringement. Later that year both companies joined the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers, and the lawsuit was dropped. The dispute reflected the broader patent and licensing environment that shaped the early American automobile industry. Production of the S & M Simplex continued until early 1907, with more than 220 vehicles built. Financial conditions then deteriorated. A recession and stock-market declines in late 1906, followed by the Panic of 1907, placed pressure on the company. Receivers were appointed and Smith and Mabley was declared bankrupt. Herman Broesel Sr. acquired the assets in 1907 and formed the Simplex Automobile Company, which continued automobile production. The Smith and Mabley name consequently disappeared as an independent manufacturer, although its engineering work, factory assets and vehicle lineage continued through the successor Simplex enterprise.

• 1907

  Simplex production ends under Smith and Mabley

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  Production ended after more than 220 S & M Simplex vehicles had been built; the company was subsequently declared bankrupt.

• 1907

  Assets transferred to Simplex Automobile Company

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  Herman Broesel Sr. acquired the company's assets and formed the Simplex Automobile Company, continuing production under the Simplex name.

• 1904

  S & M Simplex enters production

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  The company launched its own S & M Simplex automobile line, initially centered on four-cylinder touring and smaller runabout models.

• 1904

  Simplex competes in the Vanderbilt Cup

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  A 75-horsepower S & M Simplex racing car entered the Vanderbilt Cup.

• 1903

  Factory and manufacturing organization established

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  Smith and Mabley acquired an East 83rd Street factory, appointed G. Edward Franquist as chief engineer and superintendent, and organized the Smith & Mabley Manufacturing Company.

• 1902

  American C. G. V. production begins

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  The company began licensed production of C. G. V.-based cars under the American C. G. V. name.

• 1900

  Company founded in New York City

  [1]Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org

  A. D. Proctor Smith and Carlton R. Mabley established Smith and Mabley as an importer of European automobiles.

An early American importer and luxury automobile manufacturer offering European marques, licensed French designs and high-priced four-cylinder touring, sporting and limousine cars.

• Licensed automobile · 1902

  American C. G. V.

  The American C. G. V. was Smith and Mabley's short-lived licensed American version of the French Charron, Girardot & Voigt automobile. Production took place in 1902 and early 1903, with seven cars completed. The vehicles used tonneau bodies supplied by J. M. Quinby & Sons and were assembled by Rome Locomotive Works. After the limited manufacturing run, Smith and Mabley returned to importing C. G. V. automobiles.

• Passenger automobile · 1904

  S & M Simplex 18 HP

  Introduced in 1904 as the smaller member of the initial Simplex range, the 18 HP used a four-cylinder engine and a shorter 91-inch wheelbase. It could be configured as a two-seat runabout or a five-seat tonneau. Demand was lower than for the larger Simplex model, and the smaller car did not remain central to the later range.

• Luxury touring automobile · 1904

  S & M Simplex 30/35 HP

  The 30/35 HP was the principal S & M Simplex model. It used a four-cylinder T-head engine, four-speed gearbox and chain drive. Across the 1904–1907 model years it appeared in touring, runabout, brougham and other body styles, with wheelbases generally ranging from approximately 105 to 115 inches. Seating and body configurations expanded over time, including five- and seven-seat touring cars.

• Luxury limousine · 1907

  S & M Simplex 50/70 HP

  The 50/70 HP was the most powerful and expensive model identified in the 1907 Simplex range. It used a long 124-inch wheelbase and was offered as an enclosed limousine with seating for five to seven occupants. The model represented Smith and Mabley's attempt to compete at the upper end of the early American luxury automobile market.

• Competition automobile · 1904

  S & M Simplex racing cars

  Smith and Mabley developed high-performance Simplex racing cars for speed contests and endurance-oriented public events. A 75-horsepower car entered the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup. The racing program generated visibility for the marque but also involved serious safety risks, including the fatal 1905 speed-run accident involving Frank Croker and his mechanic.

• Marine engine · 1903

  Franquist four-cylinder marine engines

  G. Edward Franquist designed a four-cylinder engine used in racing motorboats associated with Smith and Mabley, including Vingt-et-Un, Challenger and Dixie I. Dixie I won the Harmsworth Trophy in 1907, giving the company's engineering program recognition beyond automobiles.

• 1907

  Transfer assets after bankruptcyOther

  Background

  Recessionary conditions and stock-market declines following late 1906 weakened Smith and Mabley's finances.

  Action taken

  Receivers were appointed, the company was declared bankrupt, and Herman Broesel Sr. acquired its assets.

  Aftermath

  Broesel formed the Simplex Automobile Company, which continued production under the Simplex name.

  Source

• 1903

  Build a dedicated Simplex manufacturing operationStrategy

  Background

  After the limited American C. G. V. run, Smith and Mabley sought a proprietary automobile line and acquired a large New York factory.

  Action taken

  The company established the Smith & Mabley Manufacturing Company, appointed G. Edward Franquist to lead engineering and factory operations, and prepared the S & M Simplex for production.

  Aftermath

  The Simplex became the company's main automobile product from 1904 until early 1907.

  Source

• 1903

  Join the Association of Licensed Automobile ManufacturersOther

  Background

  Smith and Mabley faced a lawsuit with Winton concerning alleged infringement of the Selden patent.

  Action taken

  Smith and Mabley joined the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers along with Winton.

  Aftermath

  The lawsuit was dropped, allowing the company to continue its manufacturing plans within the period's automobile patent-licensing framework.

  Source

• 1902

  Enter licensed automobile manufacturingProduct launch

  Background

  Smith and Mabley had initially operated as an importer of European vehicles but pursued domestic production under license from C. G. V.

  Action taken

  The company produced seven American C. G. V. cars before ending the short program and returning to imports.

  Aftermath

  The experiment gave way to a larger in-house manufacturing effort based on the later S & M Simplex marque.

  Source

1. 1Smith and Mableyen.wikipedia.org