1919 Chalmers Roadster

This 1919 Chalmers Roadster was owned by Hugh Chalmers son, Bruce. Hugh Chalmers bought out the Thomas-Detroit Company in 1908 renaming it the Chalmers-Detroit Company and later in 1911 changing it to the Chalmers Company. The company started to falter in the early 1920's and merged with the Maxwell Automobile company but failed in 1923.

This vehicle was being restored but never completed. All the parts are there and just needs to be put back together. A long process.

*************** BELOW IS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHALMERS FAMILY IN A EFFORT TO COMPLETE OR FILL IN THE CAR'S HISTORY ******************

Beth Adams:

I’m Tom Wallace of Dayton, Ohio. I have owned a 1919 Chalmers roadster for several years. It was owned by Bruce Chalmers, son of Hugh Chalmers. I see Bruce is in your Family Tree. The car came to me basically in pieces. The following is the history the I know. Bruce sold the car to a Mr. Winn in 1967. I believe Mr. Winn started to restore it and then someone made it into a Fire Chief’s car to be used in parades. Mr Winn then sold it to a Mr. McDermott who then sold it to me. The car is a one of a kind car. I believe that Bruce may have designed and built the car. I have two photos of the car given to me. Would any of your relatives in your Family Tree have any info on the car from it’s beginning to when Bruce sold it? Any leads would be appreciated. Tom Wallace tmwallace@woh.rr.com

From Ted (Edward) Chalmers)

I think I've found the end of the trail based on family resources for linking Tom Wallace's Chalmers Car, the 1919 Roadster, to Bruce Chalmers.

The relatives I have contacted, who were closest to the scene, have vague or conflicting recollections of this car. Hugh Chalmers, Jr. and his brother, Bruce Chalmers (Scotty) families lived near each other in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI in the 1950's.

One of Scotty's daughters (7 at the time -- say 1953) recalls; "I vaguely remember dad having a baby blue roadster in the garage but have no idea of what year that was - probably around the late 50's." His other daughter (age 12) has not responded with any recollection of such a car.

One of Hugh's daughters recalls seeing a black Chalmers car in her Uncle Scotty's garage up on blocks in the early 1950's, probably 1953 (she was 17 at the time), as well as a second car being used for parts. His other daughter, 19 years old, and could have had better recall, but was living in CA from the early 1950's and not around to see or know anything about it.

I think the well is dry at this point and nothing more to be gained by going back to these ladies. They were all relatively young at that time and more interested in pre-teen and young teen girl things than in cars. One idea for further search could be to look for auto registrations in MI by owner name in that era but a quick Google search reveals no leads and we don't know if he (Bruce) even registered it.

Sorry I couldn't get better information for Mr. Wallace. At this point, I don't have any other leads, other than the "Chalmers Registry". This was started by my brother, David, in the 1990's. When he passed away in 2006, the person who helped him with it continued for a couple of years then abandoned it. I just did a quick Google search and found it survives today as: https://www.chalmersregistry.org/. The contact is listed as a person who lives in VA and this might be a good starting point.

If he wishes to contact me for verification of this or any other aspect of his 1919 Chalmers he is welcome to send me a note.

Hello Ted,

Thanks for your efforts to find more info on Bruce Chalmers’ car.

I do belong to the new Chalmers registry. The old one did go defunct a while ago. The website has a lot of info from the old registry. I believe the organizer of the new registry still has some of your books for sale to registry members. I do intend to get one.

This is the car’s history as I tried to put it together from documents I got from the previous owners and from the info you provided; see below.

1919 Chalmers Roadster owned by Bruce Chalmers, son of Hugh Chalmers. From your info I guess Bruce designed and built his own roadster with using a parts car. I have a bill-of-sale and title signed by Bruce given to a Mr. Winn. Bruce sold the car to Mr. Winn in 1967.

I don’t know if Bruce or Mr. Winn made it into a Fire Chief’s car to be used in parades. Probably Mr. Winn. Apparently used in a lot of parades.

Mr Winn then sold it to a Mr. McDermott. He didn’t have time to restore it. He then sold it to me.

The car is a one of a kind car with definite unique features. It is not like the usual factory Chalmers roadster. It has a rumble seat in the back section but also the rear portion can be lifted off. The car can be used as a pick-up truck.

I intend to get the restoration done by the end of next spring.

If you wish I could shoot you some photos as we proceed!

Thanks

Tom Wallace