Review written on 3/1922.
Many vehicles come and go. Most are duds like the Fubbs but a few stand out like the Lauzon. So this month, we'll be looking at the Athletic to see where it stands out among the crowd. Is this new Philadelphia Motors a keeper? Or should it rust away with time?
The first stop for the Philadelphia Motors Athletic was the track. I won't lie. I was scared. This Phaeton is built for performance. Philadelphia Motors cut no corners when designing this vehicle for speed. The vomit stains on the carpet prove that the 31 hp @ 2121RPMs 3185 cc I2 engine roars this rocket to a top speed of 55 mph in an impressive Not Applicable. If that wasn't enough with the 62 lb-ft of torque will melt the tires off the rims. When hooked to a trailer, this baby will haul an amazing 22 lbs! I'm guilty wanting to steal this one for my self. The handling characteristics of the Philadelphia Motors Athletic is borderline acceptable for a Phaeton. We wouldn't buy it for a tracking or narrow city streets. But for most people, who care little for driving, it is fine.
While the Philadelphia Motors Athletic won't win any awards, It won't turn heads, and it certainly doesn't have a wow factor. The Athletic does have a very well design interior. It may not be top end, but it is more than enough for long trips and everyday drivers. It makes you feel good about life. Without feeling pompous.
23 cu-ft puts the Philadelphia Motors Athletic roughly in line with other vehicles in its class. We would consider this to be enough space for everyday use of a vehicle of this type. We certainly wouldn't use it if you're looking to haul a bunch of junk around.
The Philadelphia Motors Athletic was made by below average workers, using below average materials, for a below average company. What do you expect the vehicle quality to be?
I imagine it'll be rare to find a Philadelphia Motors Athletic in repair shops or even junk yards. These things are well built with quality parts. And that will show in the long run.
The Philadelphia Motors Athletic's fuel economy is impressive, but not in a good way. The Athletic's 12.9 mpg is one of the worst in class. This might not be troublesome when you look at the numbers, but it will be when you actually have to pay for it.
The extra effort from Philadelphia Motors to make the Athletic feel safer pays off. The reinforced frame makes the vehicle much more impact resistant. Don't go driving into walls your self, just take our word for it.
The Philadelphia Motors Athletic fits the mold of your prototypical Phaeton. It meets all the necessary requirements of being a good Phaeton and at times is quite enjoyable. It may not be the best. But it is still a good Phaeton.