1914 BREWSTER
SOLD!
1914 "F.W. Woolworth" Brewster Photo Gallery
The Car
Offered at $75,000, this 1914 Brewster is a one-of-a kind tribute to the coachbuilder's art, featuring its signature leather fenders on a Tudor body. It was originally built for "five-cent store" magnate F.W. Woolworth in 1914 at a cost of $42,000. The car is similar in appearance to Brewster Knight automobiles from 1915 onwards.
Woolworth, who founded his first variety store
in Utica, NY, opened his second store in Lancaster, PA in 1879 and built his empire from there, never forgetting this city.
Lancastrian Earl Clark bought the car in Scottsdale, AZ in 1973 and brought it back home. It was on display at Dutch Wonderland theme park for many years and is still owned by the Clark family. In recent years it has been run regularly and stored in a climate controlled building with other collector cars.
Several of the photos on the gallery crawl above are of the Brewster after delivery to Lancaster after 1973.
Brewster & Co.
A tip of the hat to Brewster historian and aficionado Don Weir for this history:
The Brewster Carriage Co was started in 1810 by James Brewster. They quickly gained a reputation for fine carriages and by 1827 branches had been established in New Haven, Connecticut, Bridgeport, Connecticut and New York City. The New York City branch was run by James' son Henry and ultimately became "BREWSTER & Co.". In 1878 they became the first and only American carriage builder ever to be awarded the coveted Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition. In 1883 Henry's son William joined the firm at the age of 17 and the slogan "Carriage Builder for the American Gentleman" was adopted.
In 1905 they built their first automobile, specializing in small well designed formal cars for use on the crowded streets of New York. By 1908 a variety of chassis were being used including Rolls-Royce. Their business had grown to the point that in 1910 they moved into a much larger facility in Long Island City. In 1914 they became sales agents for Rolls-Royce, Ltd.
Starting in 1915 they built complete automobiles known as the Brewster Knight. These cars were built until 1925 when the Company was bought by Rolls-Royce of America which had been formed in 1919 in Springfield, Mass. Brewster then became the primary body builder for Rolls-Royce in the U.S. until 1931 when production of the Springfield Rolls-Royce ceased. From 1931 until 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II chassis were shipped directly to Brewster in Long Island City. Early in 1934 Rolls-Royce of North America was dissolved.
The Brewster building in Long Island City reverted back to the Brewster family. Mr. J. S. Inskip, a faithful employee and now part owner of Brewster and Company, took over the operation of the company in an effort to save it from the on-going effects of the "Great Depression".
In 1934 Brewster, under the guiding hands of J. S. Inskip, purchased about 135 Ford chassis (the number of chassis bought is in some question). These chassis were stretched from 112 inches to 127 inches and a completely new body was designed by Mr. Inskip. Nearly the entire Ford running gear was utilized.
The heart-shaped grille was the trademark of this new offering which sold for $3500 in any of four different body styles. There were Town Cars with an open chauffeur compartment, 5 and 7 passenger enclosed drive Limousines, 4 and 5 passenger Convertible Sedans, and 2 passenger Roadsters. Town Cars accounted for nearly two thirds of the Brewsters built.
Unfortunately, by the summer of 1936, Brewster and Company were nearly at the end of their existence and on August 18, 1937 the Company assets were sold at public auction. However, there were a few cars built by Mr. Inskip which carried the Brewster name after that time.
Again thanks to Don Weir for contributing this history of the marque. There's more information available at http://dons-neatstuff.com/brewster2.htm. Want to email Don? dewx2pa@comcast.net.