1914 Jeffery Six Model 96 Five-Passenger Touring (more photos 馃憞)
Charles Jeffery memorialized his late father by introducing the Jeffery automobile in 1914, four years after Thomas B. Jeffery’s death.
The new marque represented a significant departure from the earlier Rambler designs, incorporating left-hand steering (which Thomas had experimented with but rejected for production Ramblers) along with monobloc engine construction that reflected contemporary engineering trends.
Two models launched simultaneously: a four-cylinder variant producing 40 horsepower and the Model 96 six-cylinder developing 48 horsepower from 331 cubic inches. The six rode on a 116-inch wheelbase and employed a four-speed selective sliding-gear transmission.
First-year production exceeded 10,000 units, demonstrating strong market acceptance for the new brand.
The venture proved brief. Charles survived the Lusitania sinking in 1915, an experience that prompted his retirement the following year. The Thomas B. Jeffery Company was subsequently sold to Charles Nash, whose name soon replaced Jeffery on the automobiles.
Despite its short production life, the Jeffery represented an important transitional period in American automotive manufacturing, bridging the gap between the pioneering Rambler and the Nash marque that followed.
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