The Big Car Database

Hanson

The Hanson Motor Company was founded in December on 1917 in Atlanta, Georgia by George W. Hanson and Don M. Ferguson. It lasted until 1925.

History

In 1907, George Hanson opened a bike shop in Griffin, Georgia, and soon began selling Franklin motor cars. During the mid-teens, he came up with an idea to make a small, low-priced car for the South. With the help of Don Ferguson, Hanson tore apart a Packard touring car for ideas, and in February 1917 began plans to manufacture the first Hanson car at a factory in Detroit, Michiganalthough manufacturing was delayed due to the first World War. After the U.S. government released the factory from war production in June 1918, the first Hanson car was produced—a 5-passenger tourer with a Continental 7R six-cylinder engine in it. "Tested and Proved in the South" was one of the company's slogans, along with "Made in Dixie" (even though the factory was in Detroit, the headquarters were in Atlanta). In 1921, Hanson toyed with a torque converter but never made one. When the post war recession hit, Hanson was forced to slash prices. A Little Six was introduced at the bargain basement price of $995. In 1925, he closed the doors to his factory. A total of 1,800 cars are believed to have been made with the majority of them being sold in Atlanta and other parts of Georgia. George Hanson then turned to the manufacture of baby nursing bottles and returned to Atlanta in the mid-1930s to become a life insurance agent. He died in 1940 at age 65.

Models

Model/Year engine HP Wheelbase
1918–1919 Six-Cylinder 45 119"
1920 (Touring, Roadster, Sedan) Six-Cylinder 55 121"
1921 Six-Cylinder 55 121"
Little Six (1922) Six-Cylinder 50 112"
1922 Six-Cylinder 55 121"
Special Six (1923) Six-Cylinder 50 115"
1923 Six-Cylinder 66 121"
1924–1925 Six-Cylinder 66 121"