Brewster automobiles Brewster & Co.

note special brewster windshield



1920 brewster town car

most bodies ordered fit customers imported chassis. once europe went war in summer of 1914 supplies @ risk. brewster began build own cars after 1915 sinking of british liner lusitania , continued until 1925. though smaller usual chassis — navigating streets of manhattan — cost as packard twin 6 limousine plus fleet of 5 model t ford roadsters. brewster s own cars recognizable oval radiators , shiny patent-leather fenders. powered four-cylinder sleeve-valve knight engines , fitted brewster s own special design of windshield.

1934 brewster town car on ford v8 chassis

by time of great depression began @ end of 1929 there strong sentiment against wealthy , archetypal brewster-bodied rolls-royces , brewster s bodies not selling well. in 1934 sales chief, j.s. inskip, had taken control of operations in hope of saving brewster bought 135 ford v8 roadster chassis , designed body them identified swoopy fenders , heart-shaped grille. stylish , sold $3,500 hit @ 1934 new york auto show. bodies worth more chassis. these cars branded brewster , sold @ rolls-royce showrooms. inskip marketed cars new york celebrities (see notable owners), whom became popular.

the ford brewster project profitable brewster taking losses , bondholders , directors insisted on closing down firm. bankruptcy proceedings instituted in july 1935.