1916 "Jack Benny" MAXWELL Model 25 Touring Car

Owned by Ernie Farrington Lincoln, California

    This Maxwell Touring Car was owned from about 1935 until 1983 by Universal Studios. It was one of the cars used in the production of the original Jack Benny television shows of the 1950s. Later, it was on display for many years at the Universal Studio tour plaza in Universal City, California as "Jack Benny's Maxwell."   It was subsequently purchased by a collector and stored in San Luis Obispo County, California for over 20 years. This Maxwell was also used in the filming of a 2001 television tribute to Mr. Benny, hosted by Kelsey Grammer of the TV show "Frasier."

In May 2005, it was purchased by Ernie and Dawna Farrington. It came to them with an original California title showing Universal Studios as the owner. All upholstery is the original leather with horse hair padding, except the bottom of the front seat. Chassis and drive train are all original. The all-wood framed body appears to have been repainted several times, probably as the studio required for filming. It bears the original 1916 porcelain license plates.   The car is scheduled to receive a carefully researched and documented restoration from the frame-up by Roseville Rod & Custom, Roseville, California.

Maxwells were manufactured from 1904 until 1925, the brainchild of Jonathan Dixon Maxwell (1864 -1928), a native of Howard County, Indiana. The company was purchased by Walter P. Chrysler in 1924, and became the Chrysler Four in 1926, and later the Chrysler Plymouth. The Maxwell is considered to be the forerunner of modern Plymouths.  Maxwells were among the best racing machines of their era and won many trophies to back up that reputation. In 1916 a Maxwell touring car just like this one set a coast-to-coast record of 10 days and 16 hours. The 1916 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race included two Maxwells; one driven by Eddie Rickenbacker, who started 2nd, and finished 20th; and the other by Pete Henderson, who started in 9th position, and finished 6th, averaging 91.330 mph. Other drivers in that race included Barney Oldfield, Louis Chevrolet, Arthur Chevrolet, and Dario Resta. Other marques in the 1916 race included Delage, Duesenberg, Frontenac and Peugeot.