William Muller, an employee of Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia and a racing engineer, was instrumental in design and development of many of the components on the Ruxton. The body was styled by Budd Manufacturing Co's chief engineer Joseph Ledwinka. The resulting automobile was a large and luxurious automobile with the engine in the front and unconventionally powering the front wheels. Because it was front-drive, the vehicle was able to sit lower than most cars and lowering its center of gravity making it stable at speed.
Archie Andrews, a member of Budd's board of directors and a Wall Street financier was fascinated by the vehicle and immediately acquired the prototype. He approached Hupmobiles with hopes of having them produce it. When negotiations fell through, Andrews decided to produce the vehicle himself. In 1929, he formed the New Era Motors Inc. He hired Muller as vice-president. Muller handled the engineering aspects while Andrews sought financial backing which he found in a New York stockbroker named William Ruxton. Andrews decided to name the automobile after his new found friend, unfortunately, Andrews never received any money from Ruxton.
Ruxtons were motivated by a 100 horsepower, 4.4-liter, straight eight Continental engine, connected to a three-speed manual front-drive transaxle. Features included deDion front suspension, leaf springs and four wheel hydraulic brakes on 130-inch wheelbase. Ruxtons are low, rakish and without running boards.
The Ruxton pictured here is owned by Steven Schultz of Chicago. It is fully restored and meticulously maintained. The car has received several accolades, among them a perfect score from the Antique Automobile Club of America and a third place at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2005. This is one of four known.
As for Ruxton itself, the company lasted just three model years. The depression was hard on luxury automobile manufacturers. The Ruxton cost roughly $3,000, a price tag that was out of the reach for most buyers. After about 500 examples were sold, Ruxton closed its doors and ceased production.
