The Franklin Automobile Collection at Hickory Corners, MI

The H. H. Franklin Club Inc. announces the opening of "The Franklin Automobile Collection at Hickory Corners", a new facility at The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI.

The new structure will provide the club with its own permanent home for its collection of automobiles, display engines, and artifacts that span the four-decade history of the H.H. Franklin Company which built America's most successful air-cooled automobile. The Syracuse, NY firm first produced its innovative air-cooled motorcar in 1902 and continued until 1934.

Eleven of the Collection's cars have been donated by Bob and Patricia Kern of Waukesha, WI. The Kerns have been Franklin enthusiasts for 60 years. In 1948, Mr. Kern paid $100 for a 1923 Series 10B and used it for daily transportation. Mr. and Mrs. Kern will also provide major funding to cover construction and maintenance of a building to house the collection.

In addition to the Kern cars, the collection has been given a fully restored 1932 Franklin V-12, four-door sedan from Mrs. Beth Marshall of St Louis, MO, in memory of her husband, the late Alex Marshall, a long time Franklin enthusiast and collector. This rare car (of the 200 built only 20 have survived), together with all Franklins built after 1925 (except for the series 18 Olympic) are recognized as "classics" by the Classic Car Club of America.

Press Release: New Franklin Exhibit Opens at the Gilmore Car Museum

Photos: Cars of the Collection

Map: The Franklin Automobile Collection at Hickory Corners

Building the Museum: Photos and Reports

View the "Franklin 1904 Trip" video display from the Collection: