| < 1921 | 1923 > |
1922 First Jewett
| Nameplate: | Paige | Paige | Jewett |
| Model: | "Six-44" | "Six-66" | 18-22 |
| Cylinders: | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower SAE: | 45 | 70 | 50 |
| Wheelbase: | 119 | 131 | 112 |
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| 1922 Paige Larchmont II (Richard Paige collection) |
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| 1922 Six-66, Saturday Evening Post, March 4, 1922 (Bill Roberts collection) |
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| 1922 Six-44, Saturday Evening Post, April 8, 1922 (Bill Roberts collection) |
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| 1922 Six-66, Saturday Evening Post, Sept. 23, 1922 (Bill Roberts collection) |
At the beginning of the 1922 model year, Paige offered two series of cars: (a) the light six "Six-44", powered by a 50 HP engine with five models, $1,465 to $2,245, and (b) the big six "Six-66", powered by a 70 HP motor with six models, $2,195 to $3,350. Those were still substantial prices since the auto industry was just beginning to recover from the 1921 depression. However, Paige automobiles enjoyed a reputation for quality and modern styling.
The most distinctive Paige continued to be a new $2,495 version of the previous year's Daytona two/three-passenger speedster. As in 1921 the third passenger rode on a seat that pulled out from the body. This seat, when not in use, had a back that folded down and an armrest that folded in, allowing the seat to be pushed back into the car and locked there out of the way. The seat's right side was actually a metal door that was finished in the same color as the car body, so when it was retracted, the car appeared to have a golf bag compartment there. There was a footrest built into the right side running board that could be raised for use when the seat was out. The top could be completely removed "without a single tool and left at home in fair weather." It had cycle fenders and a rear-mounted spare. The Daytona was famous for its racy silhouette and pleasing lines, not to mention its speed.
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More news from Paige during 1922 was the announcement of a totally new, low-priced, six-cylinder car, named for founder and president Harry M. Jewett. Information was given to Paige dealers during the New York Show in January. Features of the new Jewett included: 112 inch wheelbase; 50 HP six-cylinder motor; drum-type headlights with nickel trim; glass rear window; and door-opening side curtains. The initial model was a touring car for five. A sedan went into production by the end of April:
- Jewett five-passenger touring car, $1,065
- Jewett five-passenger sedan, $1,395
Before too long, a two-passenger roadster and a four-passenger coupe were also being offered. There is disagreement, however, whether these two additions are properly 1922 models or 1923 models:
- Jewett two-passenger roadster
- Jewett four-passenger coupe
Jewett models were an instant success. The cars had rather boxlike styling, but with the six-cylinder engine and other features, they were a good buy for the money. Hudson had started the low-priced trend with its Essex, but the Essex was a four-cylinder car that cost about the same as the Jewett. When Studebaker entered the low-priced field, it, like Paige, named the car after its president, calling it the Erskine.
By the end of 1922 the company shipped 20,420 Jewett autos, compared to only 9,323 Paige models. A period of growth and prosperity had begun.
Elsewhere in 1922:
- Ford buys the bankrupt Lincoln Motor Company for the bargain price of $8 million. The Leland brothers leave six months later.
- George Frost invents the car radio.
- Instrument panels feature gasoline gauges.
- The 1922 Essex features an affordable, closed car for year-round driving.
- Some car models feature back-up lights.
| < 1921 | [Last update: 2006-08-31] | 1923 > |