1925 Jordan Seven Passender Sedan

On April 5th, 1916, the Jordan Motor Car Company broke ground for their factory in Cleveland, Ohio. Edward (Ned) S. Jordan’s new factory was built with the purpose of assembling vehicles with all the parts sourced from other manufacturers. Engines came from Continental Motors Company, transmissions from Detroit Gear, electrics from Bosch or Delco, and bodies from a variety of companies. Jordan was an early pioneer and businessman in the automobile industry, but much like the Auburns, Cords, Duesenbergs, and Pierce Arrows, his company did not survive the Great Depression, ceasing production in 1931. An estimated total of 65,000 to 80,000 Jordans were produced.

This example of the Jordan Seven Passenger Sedan sold for $3,225 in 1925 as their most expensive car in a range of 10 different models. Around 1985, the owner of this Jordan, Willard King, discovered it at an estate sale near Moberly, Missouri. Willard was granted the car for $500
as the sole bidder.

The Jordan was previously restored in a carriage house and had not been started in at least 40 years. They poured fresh gasoline in, hooked the car up to a new battery, and amazingly, it started. It, however, did not run for very long, starting a ten-year restoration process.

Jordans could be purchased in many colors; This one was black when King took ownership. It is now the Jordan standard Maroon color. The body was supplied to Jordan by the Bryant Body Company of Amesbury, MA. It is an all-aluminum body except for the fenders and firewall, which are steel. The engine is the original Continental 9K 269 cubic-in, 8 cylinder engine was rated at 74 horsepower. Now in running condition, it has been on a Napa Valley wine tour, driven in Yosemite National Park, and at various Jordan automobile owner functions.

On loan to the museum from Willard King