38 - Saxon Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Belle Isle Cachers: It is that time of year again, for old caches to go and new ones to be released.
Thank you to all who have had fun here on Belle Isle, and searching out our caches.

More
Hidden : 3/22/2015
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:



The Saxon Motor Car Co. Detroit, MI 1914-1923

The Saxon Motor Car Co. of Detroit was formed by Hugh Chalmers, H. W. Dunham, and Harry Ford. The first Saxon Four reached the American Automobile market in 1914. The Saxon was built for a buyer who wanted a light car of good quality but well above the cyclecar level. But not necessarily a full size Touring Car.

At $395.00 the new 1914 Saxon was a good buy on a two passenger roadster and well below most American Automobiles. All Saxon Four's were equipped with a four cylinder Continental engine rated at 12 horsepower and a two speed transaxle. Advertising claimed the Saxon - "Best Two Passenger Automobile in the World at Anywhere Near Its Price" and "Everybody Ought to Own a Car - Now Everybody Can Own a Car".

In 1915 a Saxon Six full size five passenger Touring Car was introduced at $795.00. It had a high speed six cylinder engine rated at 30-35 horsepower, electric starter, electric lights, 32 inch x 3 1/2 inch wheels on a 122 inch wheelbase. Advertising claims that the Saxon cost only 1/2 cent a mile operate and "Saxon - The Car That Makes Both Ends Meet". The Saxon Six was made to compete with Henry Ford's Model T.

1915 Saxon two passenger Roadster specifications included a water cooled 12 horsepower four cylinder engine mounted vertically under the hood. The bore was 2 5/8 inches and a stroke of 4 inches. A progressive sliding gear transmission with two speeds forward, reverse and shaft drive. Still priced at $395.00 and included a top, top hood, lamps and windshield. Electric lighting was standard equipment.

The 1916 Saxon was built with very few changes from the 1914 and 1915 models. Both the 96 inch wheelbase four cylinder Roadster and the 112 inch wheelbase six cylinder Touring Car returned. Dash gauges such as speedometer and amp meter were new for 1916. A new selective sliding three speed transmission was adapted to the Continental four and six cylinder engines.

The Saxon Motor Car Co. certainly found a gap in the American Automobile market. Sales were very encouraging with 7500 units in 1914 the first year, rising to 19,000 in 1915 and a peak of 27,800 in 1916. In 1917 Saxon reached tenth place in sales among American Manufacturers. The rapid increase in production necessitated a new factory. The Saxon Motor Car Co. expanded production in 1917. Four different models were produced - $935.00 Saxon Six, $935.00 Saxon Six Chummy Roadster, 1325.00 Saxon Six Sedan and $495.00 Saxon Four Roadster.

The popular four cylinder Saxon/Continental engine was unwisely dropped in 1918. Sales dropped from 21,000 in 1917 to just 7200 in 1918 due to a higher priced Saxon. In addition Hugh Chalmers left The Saxon Motor Car Co. in 1916 and Harry Ford died in 1918. Saxon suddenly found itself drastically under capitalized. The new factory still uncompleted was acquired by General Motors and became a Chevrolet assembly plant. Sales dropped to 2500 units in 1919 and 700 in 1920.

In 1920 Saxon introduced a new four cylinder that had patented double lubrication system. After 1920 the Saxon was known as the Saxon Duplex. Saxon moved production to Ypsilanti, MI in its final two years of production. Sales dropped to 500 units in 1921 and 250 in 1922. The last Saxon's were 1922 models sold early in 1923.

Photo and info:
http://www.american-automobiles.com

To enter Belle Isle State Park you will need either a Michigan State Park Passport or a day pass. Residents are $11.00 per year, non residence is $31.00 per year and the daily pass is $9.00 per day.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has given the Belle Isle Cachers exclusive permission to place all geocaches on Belle Isle State Park. Please be respectful to the park, its management and all other visitors during your time here.

This park is very busy year round, please use extreme stealth at all times as every area is being used by others. Rock hides give great views around the island, we have marked the cache location to help with your finds so please replace just as you found them.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...