1928 FRANKLIN OXFORD 4-DOOR SEDAN - LESS THAN 100 MILES AFTER MAJOR RESTORATION

I purchased this 1928 Franklin Oxford sedan Model 12B. from an antique shop in Maryland late 2005 and took delivery in March 2006.   I was aware of Franklin cars as my father had a J2 Piper Cub with a Franklin engine back back in the 1950s when I was in public school.   However. I had only seen one Franklin prior to stumbling onto this car.   It was love at first site.  What an elegant and graceful old lady.

This Franklin was last on the road/licensed in 1983 when it was acquired by the antique shop.   It has 1983 Maryland Historic plates.  A major restoration was completed for the antique shop. I believe in late 1983/early 1984. which included new wool upholstery. new headliner. new carpet. 5 new tires. and many rechromed parts including bumpers. rear seat heater outlet. and exterior door handles. nbsp; The original leather door panels remain and are in great condition  with lots of embossing and stitching (see photos).   The Franklin was on display at the antique shop to attract customers.   In 2005. they decided that the traffic generated did not justify the space that it occupied.   It is a big car measuring 14' 11" long. bumper to bumper.

I believe that the paint is original and is in very good condition except for an area of about 6 square inches in area on the passenger hood that has been touched up in a color that is slightly off.    Plating on the grill shell and headlight buckets is thinning in places.   One hood latch is missing.   The roof is original and it is in great/new condition.   The wood spoke wheels are in great condition with no cracks or other defects.   This Franklin has has the rear luggage rack. rear seat heater. and blinds on all rear windows.   Other deluxe features include a retractable cigar lighter in the front dash and rear seat ashtrays. The tires are new but they date from the mid 1980s.  This Franklin has 4 wheel hydraulic brakes which worked well when the Franklin was put into storage.   

The Franklin ran well when I picked it up. and I drove it around my property a few times in the summer of 2006.    There was then a major restructuring of my life that summer including a move and job change so the Franklin was put in storage.   It has been in heated storage from late 2006 to the present.    I put a bit of light oil in the cylinders when it went into storage and have turned the engine over several times at least once a year. using the crank. since then.   The engine currently turns over easily on the crank.

The Franklin was only driven on the antique shop property following restoration. nbsp;except the brief drives on my property in 2006 .   Probably a total of less than 100 miles. The odometer is not showing mileage.   The antique shop stated that it had just under 49. 00 miles on it when they purchased it so the mileage in the listing is very conservative.

I have not tried to start the Franklin.  It will need a new battery.  My youngest grandchildren had great fun tooting the horn back in 2006.   The Antique shop indicated that the wiring at the headlights had not been reconnected by the restoration shop.  I have not checked. but connecting them should be a small task.

I have a certified copy of the Maryland Title. all of the Canada Customs paper work from when the car was imported into Canada. and the bill of sale from the antique shop.   I will provide a bill of sale.   The Franklin has not been titled in Ontario.   I have applied for a replacement Maryland title but cannot guarantee that I will receive it.  

The Franklin is in Cambridge Ontario. nbsp;just over an hour from Buffalo NY.   There are no problems in taking the Franklin back to the US  and there are no duties or other charges.   Cars have moved freely across the border in both directions since NAFTA.   No fees are charged to the new owner or other individuals when entering the US.   However. commercial transport companies charge a "brokerage fee" and increase there fees to cover the time required to clear customs.   As I have a pickup and can obtain the use of a car hauler. I will delver the Franklin to Buffalo for $200. sufficient to cover the cost of tolls and gas.  

The photos are not the best as the car is in storage without a lot of space around it.   It also has some dust as I am unable to wash the car while in storage.   Also. the flash distorts the colors in some photos.   In particular. the cream color is whiter than reality in some photos.

The VIN on the title is127928.   However. this is a mistake as the VIN on the identification plate is X189138L19

The Franklin must be picked up within 30 days of the auction closing unless prior arrangements are made.

Also published at eBay.ca

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