Drexel (United States)

Drexel Motorcar Corporation was an American automobile manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois, that operated briefly from 1916 to 1917. The company emerged as a successor to the Farmack brand, which was founded by Albert J. Farmer. In an effort to finance the development of a new version of his Earmack car, Farmer established Drexel.

The initial model produced by Drexel was the Model 5-40, which featured a four-cylinder single overhead camshaft engine designed by Farmer. This model was marketed as a five-seater tourer, priced at $985, which was considered a competitive price for its advanced engineering at the time. The company later introduced the Model 7-60, which was equipped with a more sophisticated twin overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that boasted 16 valves and produced 63 horsepower at 3,600 rpm. This level of engineering was notably advanced for the era, drawing comparisons to specifications that would not have seemed out of place in the 1980s.

Despite the innovative designs and engineering achievements, Drexel Motorcar Corporation faced financial difficulties. Albert J. Farmer's business acumen did not match his engineering skills, leading to the company's bankruptcy by the summer of 1917. Plans for a new model featuring a Ferro V8 engine were ultimately abandoned, marking the end of Drexel's brief existence in the automotive industry.