Josephine Baker and Chiquita: The Famous Cheetah That Became Part of Her Public Persona
The article highlights the 1915 Simplex Crane Model 5 Tourer, one of the most prestigious and technologically advanced American automobiles of the Brass Era.
Manufactured by the Simplex Automobile Company in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the vehicle represented the highest standards of luxury, performance, and craftsmanship available in the United States before World War I.At its core was a massive 9.
7-liter inline-six engine with an output of approximately 110 horsepower, an extraordinary figure for the period that placed the car among the most powerful road vehicles of its time.The Model 5 Tourer gained a reputation for exceptional engineering quality and elegant design.Its open touring body featured graceful proportions, large wooden-spoke wheels, and styling intended for comfortable long-distance travel.The automobile appealed primarily to wealthy industrialists, enthusiasts, and sportsmen who desired both speed and refinement.Its high purchase price placed it in direct competition with the most exclusive European luxury marques.The article also emphasizes the visual appeal of the surviving vehicle through a collection of historic photographs.
These images showcase the imposing presence, sophisticated craftsmanship, and distinctive proportions that made the Simplex Crane Model 5 Tourer an icon of early American motoring.
More than a century later, the model remains a symbol of the innovation, luxury, and prestige that characterized the peak years of the American Brass Era automobile industry.