Brewster & Co.
| Industry | Coachbuilding |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1810 in New Haven, Connecticut |
| Founder | James Brewster |
| Defunct | August 17, 1937 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Brewster & Company was a distinguished American coachbuilder specializing in bespoke carriages and automobile bodies, established by James Brewster in 1810. Originating from New Haven, Connecticut, the firm earned acclaim for its high-quality carriage craftsmanship and expanded operations to New York City by 1827.
The company ventured into automotive body manufacturing in 1896, initially producing an electric vehicle body before crafting coachwork on multiple chassis brands. A significant collaboration developed with Rolls-Royce America Inc. based in Springfield, Massachusetts. Between 1915 and 1925, Brewster manufactured luxury automobile bodies at its Long Island City plant. The economic downturn during the Great Depression drastically reduced demand for upscale automobiles, prompting a strategic shift around 1934–35 to creating premium bodies on Ford V8 chassis. Ultimately, financial strain led to bankruptcy filings by 1935 and the liquidation of assets by 1937.
Carriage building
James Brewster (1788–1866) honed his skills under carriage maker Colonel Charles Chapman before joining John Cook’s workshop. By 1821, Brewster had acquired Cook’s New Haven business and expanded exports to markets such as Cuba and South America. Establishing a New York City location in 1827, Brewster experienced strong demand that necessitated factory enlargement until a fire in 1836 followed by the Panic of 1837 forced operational restructuring.
Throughout the mid-1800s, various Brewster family enterprises operated under names like James Brewster & Son and Brewster & Collis, securing a dominant position within the coachbuilding sector. William Brewster enhanced brand identity with the motto "Carriage Builder for the American Gentleman." The firm gained international distinction, earning a gold medal at the 1878 Paris International Exposition and receiving France’s Legion of Honor.
Despite these honors, the emergence of the automobile industry gradually diminished their carriage clientele by the early twentieth century. Legal documents later cited difficulties in debt collection and disposing of luxury carriages amid rising automotive competition as factors contributing to the company’s decline.
Automobile bodies
Brewster entered automobile body construction in 1905 by importing Delaunay-Belleville vehicles, establishing its status for elite coachwork. By 1914, most Brewster-crafted bodies were mounted on Delaunay-Belleville and other French marques. That year marked Brewster’s appointment as US sales agents for Rolls-Royce Limited, becoming their principal supplier of automobile bodies.
By 1925, after European trade resumed and Rolls-Royce America Inc. expanded operations, Brewster experienced a downturn in sales. Rolls-Royce leadership acquired Brewster & Co., including its outstanding debts. Vehicle chassis were transported from Rolls-Royce’s Springfield, Massachusetts facility to Brewster’s Long Island City plant for body fabrication. To expedite delivery and reduce expenses, Brewster offered a selection of 28 standardized body designs available directly through Rolls-Royce dealerships. The coachwork styles were named after English locales such as the Derby Touring Sedan and York Roadster, along with French-inspired models like the Trouville Town Car.
Following the closure of Rolls-Royce America Inc., Phantom II chassis were shipped from Britain to Brewster’s Long Island City workshop between 1931 and 1934 for completion.
Brewster-bodied Automobiles
At the outset, Brewster primarily crafted bespoke bodies fitted onto imported chassis. However, disruptions in supply during World War I compelled Brewster to manufacture its own vehicles between 1915 and 1925. These upscale automobiles were distinguished by features such as oval-shaped radiators, patent leather fenders, and four-cylinder Knight sleeve-valve engines, with pricing that matched other luxury brands of the era.
The onset of the Great Depression caused a steep decline in demand for premium coachwork. In response, 1934 saw Brewster’s sales manager J.S. Inskip purchase 135 Ford V8 roadster chassis, upon which he created unique bodies characterized by sweeping fenders and heart-shaped grilles. These models, retailing at $3,500, made a strong impression at the New York Auto Show and were marketed under the Brewster name through Rolls-Royce dealerships, targeting prominent figures in New York City.
Opposition from Rolls-Royce’s British leadership to fitting Ford chassis with custom bodies led Rolls-Royce of America to rebrand as Springfield Manufacturing Corporation and renegotiate its import agreements. Although Brewster also produced coachwork on Lincoln K series frames in 1934, this venture did not extend beyond that year.
While initially profitable, Ford’s project soon incurred financial losses. By mid-1935, pressure from bondholders and board members resulted in calls for shutdown. The firm was acquired by Dallas E. Winslow during bankruptcy proceedings in July 1935.
Liquidation
Brewster’s remaining assets were sold off at auction on August 18, 1937. Despite this, under former sales director John Inskip’s leadership, the Rolls-Royce showroom and body shop continued operating at the same site. During World War II, Brewster Aeronautical Corporation remained active in its field.
Legacy
In a 1956 article for American Heritage Magazine, Colonel Paul Downing credited Brewster & Company with establishing America’s reputation for elegant carriage design. Their business approach included detailed records of clients’ family crests and preferred colors—such as the Vanderbilts’ maroon and the Astors’ blue—fostering an aura of exclusivity.
Brewster also developed a proprietary oil-based finish that required less upkeep than typical varnishes, giving them a competitive edge that rivals could not match. Additionally, they introduced a four-pane windshield design aimed at minimizing glare from streetlights; though this innovation was never patented, it influenced industry practices.
Beyond automobiles, Brewster diversified into producing speedboat hulls as well as children’s pony carts and large passenger buses.
- Notable Alumni
Brewster was instrumental in nurturing prominent automotive engineers and designers. Among them were James Way, who later crafted bodies for Pierce-Arrow; Edsel Ford, who brought Lincoln’s Henry Crecelius Sr. to Brewster; early draftsman Raymond Dietrich; and Harry Lonschein, founder of Rollston.
- Distinguished Owners
- Louis Comfort Tiffany – possessed Brewster’s second gasoline-powered auto chassis
- John D. Rockefeller Sr. – owned two Crane-Simplex cars with Brewster bodies
- John D. Rockefeller Jr.
- Frank Winfield Woolworth
- Vincent Astor
- Owners of Brewster-bodied V8s:*
- Edsel Ford – first buyer of a Ford V8 fitted with a Brewster body
- Al Jolson
- Cole Porter
- Lily Pons
- Gertrude Lawrence
- Fred Waring
- Victor Moore
Edsel Ford
In 1935, Brewster produced a series of 15 automobiles built on the Ford V8 chassis, distinguished by the signature 1935 Ford grille. The initial model was acquired by Edsel Ford. Among these was a distinctive 1934 Brewster Town Cabriolet DeVille (chassis 18-802233) that featured an extended 127-inch wheelbase and diverged from typical Brewster styling with its Ford grille, banjo-style steering wheel, Ford dashboard, and 16-inch wheels. This car was kept at a New York Ford dealership for Edsel’s personal use and underwent an upgrade in 1939, receiving a Mercury flathead V8 engine delivering close to 100 horsepower.
This particular automobile is one of the rare personal vehicles owned by Edsel Ford and remains preserved in its original, unrestored condition. It fetched $198,000 at an RM Auctions event in 2008.
The Brewster-bodied Ford Town Car, notable for its heart-shaped grille, holds the distinction of being the sole classic Ford model acknowledged by the Classic Car Club of America.