Commonwealth (automobile company)

The Commonwealth Motors Corporation was a luxury auto company that produced cars from 1917-1922.

1921 Commonwealth Touring

History

The company was founded originally as Partin-Palmer company in 1913, but in 1915 got into financial trouble in Chicago.

So, in 1917, the name was changed to Commonwealth, and production was moved to Joliet^[1]. The slogan of the company was "The Car with a foundation", which was in reference to the build quality, including such parts as the frames lined with think felt to prevent squeaks, chrome nickel alloy steel, and five-inch channel sections. The company produced four passenger open cars and five passenger closed-body cars. In 1919, the company tried a six-cylinder car with 25.3hp called the Victory Six Tour^[2].

In 1922, a man named Leland Goodspeed designed a new car for the company, which they produced as a closed-body car and a taxicab. But in 1922, the company failed, though the taxi went on to become the Checker Taxi Company that same year^[3].

Models

• 1917-1918 Commonwealth HP: 19.6 Wheelbase: 112 inches
• 1919 Commonwealth HP: 19.6 Wheelbase: 115 inches
• 1919 Commonwealth Victory Six Tour HP: 25.3 Wheelbase: 115 inches
• 1920 Commonwealth Model 4-40 Cylinders: four HP: 35 Wheelbase: 117 inches
• 1921-1922 Commonwealth Model 4-35 Cylinders: four HP: 37 Wheelbase: 117 inches
• 1922 Commonwealth Taxi Cylinders: four HP: 21.03 Transmission: selective sliding 3-speed Voltage: six to eight Wheelbase: 117

inches^[4]

Notes

1. ^ Kimes, Beverly (1996). standard catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4. 
2. ^ Kimes, Beverly (1996). standard catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4. 
3. ^ http://www.american-automobiles.com/Goodspeed.html
4. ^ http://www.american-automobiles.com/Goodspeed.html