| < 1916 | 1918 > |
1917
| Model: | "Six-39" | "Six-46" | "Six-51" |
| Cylinders: | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower SAE: | 23.44 | 29 | 29.4 |
| Wheelbase: | 117 | 124 | 127 |
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| 1917 Six-51 Coupé. Saturday Evening Post, Nov. 25, 1916, p. 68 |
Though some modifications had been made to the cars during the summer of 1916, by the beginning of January, 1917, Paige-Detroit introduced a whole new lineup. The larger series became the "Six-51" Series; the smaller series became the "Six-39" Series. The Fairfield seven-passenger "Six-46" touring car, first introduced in 1915, was still available at the original price.
- "Six-39" Series
- Roadster, two-/three-passenger, Dartmoor, $1,175
- Sedan, five-passenger, $1,775
- Touring car, five-passenger, Linwood, $1,175
- "Six-46" Series
- Touring car, seven-passenger, Fairfield, $1,395
- "Six-51" Series
- Coupé, three-/four-passenger, $2,100
- Limousine, seven-passenger, $2,750
- Roadster, four-passenger, Brooklands, $1,695
- Sedan, seven-passenger, $2,300
- Touring car, seven-passenger, Stratford, $1,495
- Town car, seven-passenger, $2,750
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| 1917 Six-51 Stratford. Automobile Topics, Jan. 13, 1917 |
The "Six-51" wheelbase was lengthened to 127 inches and prices ranged from $1,495 up to $2,750. Closed models featured v-shaped windshields, with the top half of each side capable of being opened as desired. Soon after the lineup was announced, the "Six-51" coupe was apparently discontinued. The sedan had a center-door body, but the limousine and town car had four doors. Wire wheels were an option. Paige ad copy claimed, "Without being too daring, the lines are fresh and new." Despite the box-like look that prevailed at the time, the new enclosed models could never be mistaken for any other car.
Probably the most unusual model in the lineup was the Brooklands four-door convertible roadster. Roadster owners must have been expected to drive without the top, because when in place it detracted from the look of the car. It almost appears to have been an afterthought on the part of Paige designers and engineers.
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| 1917 Six-39 Sedan. Automobile Topics, Jan. 13, 1917 |
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| 1917 models. Literary Digest, July 28, 1917, p. 62 |
The single "Six-39" closed model, a five-passenger sedan, had more conventional lines than its bigger "Six-51" cousins.
With the introduction of this new lineup, the company also switched from its previous slogan "The Standard of Value and Quality" to "The Most Beautiful Car in America," a slogan that remained in use for years. To our eyes today they might have some interesting design features, but otherwise they were typical of their day.
The effect on the economy of the U.S. entry into the European war caused Paige to increase prices $75 to $100 on all models during the course of the year.
Elsewhere in 1917:
- Henry and Wilfred LeLand leave General Motors to found the Lincoln Motor Company.
| < 1916 | [Last update: 2006-10-16] | 1918 > |