1931 Franklin Airman Series 153 Deluxe review from North America

Tires (the 30 year-old inner tubes were leaking).

I just have to say a few words of praise about a car that probably few on this site have either heard about or know much about. The Syracuse, New York-built Franklin has to be one of the most interesting, reliable, well-built and intelligently-designed autos ever made.

My Franklin is typical of its genre, with fully-elliptic springs and air-cooled, overhead valve, six-cylinder engine. There is no heat indicator on the dash, because there's no water to worry about...which, when you think about it, very much reduces the amount of concerns associated with water-cooled engines.

My car's engine is cooled by a large, squirrel-cage type fan that blows air around the sides of the engine.

I have driven this car for hundreds of miles on California freeways in absolute comfort and reliability. The brakes are hydraulic, which are easily serviced. Low octane fuel is perfectly adequate to run on. The ride is surprisingly light for such a big car, due to the long, fully-elliptic "baby buggy" springs.

If you are looking for a good-looking, reliable, fun pre-WW2 car to drive, a Franklin is a great choice. They aren't as expensive as, say, a Packard or Cadillac of the same era, but are arguably as good or better in many respects. There's also a terrific organization for these cars too, the H.H. Franklin Club... a very supportive, helpful and friendly group of people.