Phianna (automobile)

The Phianna Motor Company was created in about 1916 by R J Metzler. Metzler had acquired the SGV's line in May 1915 prior to the company being wound up. Metzler partnered with industrialists John A Bell and T M Pepperday, who moved its production to Newark, New Jersey.[1][2][3] SGV had fallen deeply into debt.[4] The name Phianna originated from one of the companies twin daughters, Phyliss and Anna.[3][5]

Phianna is thought to have made one car based on the SGV, and then its own models.[3] The 1916 Phianna was a $3,600 town car. The bodies were custom made.[6] By 1917 Phianna's ranged in price from $5,000 to $6,000. By comparison a Ford cost between $345 to $645.[7]

With the United States entry into World War I, in 1918 the Phianna factory was used to make tools and dies for the Wright-Martin Aircraft Company. The company put its assets up for sale and Miles Harold Carpenter with assistance from a Texas rancher, Carl M Worsham, acquired the assets. A new plant was set up at the end of 59th Street, Long Island City.[3]

Safety glass was introduced in 1919 as were turn signals and stop lights.[3] Carpenter changed the company's motto from The Foreign Car Made in America to America's Representative Among the World's Finest Cars. The company also introduced an innovative six-cylinder engine in 1919.[3]

With the depression of 1921 Carpenter, on advice from Mortimer L. Schiff, decided to stop production and close down the business. The final car was made in 1922 for John F Norman.[3]

• SGV based car - one only in 1916
• Town car - costing $3,600 in 1916
• Special sport - 1918
• Sedan - 1918
• Limousine - 1919