The Commonwealth Motors Corporation was a luxury auto company that produced cars from 1917-1922.

History

The company was founded originally as Partin-Palmer company in 1913, but in 1915 got into financial trouble in Chicago.

So, in 1917, the name was changed to Commonwealth, and production was moved to Joliet. The slogan of the company was "The Car with a foundation", which was in reference to the build quality, including such parts as the frames lined with think felt to prevent squeaks, chrome nickel alloy steel, and five-inch channel sections. The company produced four passenger open cars and five passenger closed-body cars. In 1919, the company tried a six-cylinder car with 25.3hp called the Victory Six Tour.

In 1922, a man named Leland Goodspeed designed a new car for the company, which they produced as a closed-body car and a taxicab. But in 1922, the company failed, though the taxi went on to become the Checker Taxi Company that same year.

Models

• 1917-1918 Commonwealth HP: 19.6 Wheelbase: 112 inches
• 1919 Commonwealth HP: 19.6 Wheelbase: 115 inches
• 1919 Commonwealth Victory Six Tour HP: 25.3 Wheelbase: 115 inches
• 1920 Commonwealth Model 4-40 Cylinders: four HP: 35 Wheelbase: 117 inches
• 1921-1922 Commonwealth Model 4-35 Cylinders: four HP: 37 Wheelbase: 117 inches
• 1922 Commonwealth Taxi Cylinders: four HP: 21.03 Transmission: selective sliding 3-speed Voltage: six to eight Wheelbase: 117

inches