The Crane-Simplex, built in New York, were among the most expensive, largest, most powerful, and well-built luxury cars ever made. They were owned by only the wealthiest socialites and entrepreneurs of the time and bodied by the finest coachbuilders. Only a total of 121 examples were made. Nickname: The Big Apple, The Capital of the World Official website: City of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... A socialite is a person (male or female, but more often used for a woman) of social prominence who is considered to be an influential social figure. ... It has been suggested that Entrepreneurial mindset be merged into this article or section. ...

Smith & Mabley Manufacturing Co. of New York City built their first car in 1904, which was called the S&M Simplex, and went bankrupt in 1906. By 1907 the firm's assets were absorbed into the Simplex Automobile Co. Herman Broesel purchased the company and the "Simplex" would be able to go 90 m.p.h. under his direction, who was passionate about racing. The firm became Crane-Simplex after purchase of the Crane Motor Car Company in 1915. The Crane-Simplex Company was finally purchased by the Mercer Automobile Company.

Notable Models:

• 1909 90 HP Tourabout - large 11 liter straight four engine, with 90 horsepower and 3 valves per cylinder
• 1915 Roadster - believed to be the only Simplex roadster ever made, with 110 horsepower
• 1915 Sport Berline Brewster - personal car of Henry Crane and built for 1915 New York Auto Show, sold new for $13,800
• 1916 Model 5 Holbrook Skiff - built for 1916 New York Auto Show with yacht-inspired design, (including doors in the middle rather than beside passengers and a propeller in back) soon purchased at the San Francisco Auto Show, now owned by Jay Leno
• 1918 Crane-Simplex - owned by John D. Rockefeller, had two Brewster bodies, for summer and winter seasons, now one of the last surviving Rockefeller family cars

Notable Owners: A 1934 Brewster convertible Brewster is the most significant American coachbuilder in history, and one of the oldest, active from 1810-1937. ... Holbrook is the name of several towns or cities: Holbrook, New South Wales, Australia Holbrook, Derbyshire, England Holbrook, Kent, England Holbrook, South Yorkshire, England Holbrook, Suffolk, England Holbrook, Arizona, USA Holbrook, Massachusetts, USA Holbrook, Nebraska, USA Holbrook, New York, USA Holbrook, Pennsylvania, USA There are also several people with the... For details about the famous earthquake, refer to the article 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. ... Jay Leno (born James Douglas Muir-Leno April 28, 1950) is an American comedian who is best known as the host of the long-running NBC television variety and talk show The Tonight Show. ... 1917 painting by John Singer Sargent. ... The Rockefeller family (originally Roggenfelder), founded by John Davison Rockefeller (1839-1937) and his brother William Rockefeller (1841-1922), is an industrial family of German origin, that made a fortune in the oil business during the latter part of the 19th century primarily through their Standard Oil Company. ...

• Frederick W. Vanderbilt
• John D. Rockefeller
• John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Frederick William Vanderbilt (February 2, 1856 – February 2, 1938) was a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family. ... 1917 painting by John Singer Sargent. ... John D. Rockefeller Jr. ...

External links

• 1916 Crane-Simplex(image)