Flanders motorcycles were built in Chelsea for two years beginning in 1913. Following that, the Lewis Spring & Axle Company purchased the building and moved its production of the Hollier 8 into the building from Jackson by Charles Lewis' son, Frederick H. Lewis. Like hundreds of other automobile companies, it was put out of business by the assembly line methods developed by Henry Ford. The Hollier was a hand-made car and about 1,000 were produced. Lewis said he was capable of converting the entire auto plant for products that were "war munitions". "Liberty" engines powered JN-4 "Jenny" biplanes for World War I. Biplanes were one of the first aviation weapons used by the US. Frederick Lewis flew the prototype plane from Chelsea to Jackson in 1919. What a talented guy! Frederick was also a musician and organized a traveling band called the Hollier 8 Band.
I wonder if the band played WW I music?
3 comments:
Ron Clark tells me he has great follow-up pictures of the Hollier 8 and a bi-plane. It will take a little searching, but he's on the mission to find them. Thanks, Ron! Anyone else have pictures related to the Clocktower Building Complex?
Is that really Ron Clark in the picture -- far left in the top hat?
http://cgi.ebay.com/RPPC-FLANDERS-MFG-CO-CHELSEA-MI_W0QQitemZ320155395171QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320155395171#ebayphotohosting
is an EBay site that has a postcard of the Flanders Mfg from 1912. I had no idea it was so big.
this auction ends 12:20 Pacific time, Sept 12 after then site probably will not work
Post a Comment