Brush Runabout - Maxwell (Highland Park, Michigan)

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Brush Runabout Company

The Brush Runabout was a light two passenger American automobile designed by Alanson P. Brush in 1907. Brush was the former chief engineer at Cadillac and also helped to design the first Oaklands. Brush decided to design a cheap economical vehicle for the low priced market. The first Brush built used a single cylinder 12 HP engine with chain drive and solid tires. The cost in 1907 was $780.00. By 1908 competition drove the price down to less than $500.00 and in 1912 a stripped down version, called the Liberty Brush sold for only $350.00.

Brush, with the support of Frank Briscoe of radiator maker Briscoe Manufacturing Co. and brother of Benjamin Briscoe, formed the Brush Runabout Company in 1907. A small factory at the GTDGH&M RR between Euclid and Philadelphia Streets was acquired for production. In 1909, Brush purchased a site on on Oakman Avenue and erected a second factory. By 1910, production had risen to 8,000 units.

It was at this time that Briscoe sold the company to Benjamin Briscoe's new conglomerate, United States Motor Company. Designed to compete with General Motors, U.S. Motor combined the successful Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Co. with several struggling automakers and by 1912 the over extended endeavor entered receivership, taking Brush Runabout Co. with it.

Maxwell Motor Company

In 1913, the remnants of U.S. Motor Co. were reorganized as Maxwell Motor Company, under the direction of Walter Flanders. The former Brush Runabout plant was converted to produce a new four cylinder car. Expansions followed between 1917 and 1920. In 1925, Maxwell Motor Co. was acquired by the Chrysler Corporation.




www.brushauto.net/