Chalmers started out by producing a line of four-cylinder cars, but in 1910 the company introduced the Chalmers-Detroit model, which was powered by a six-cylinder engine. This car was successful and helped to establish Chalmers as a major player in the automotive industry.
In 1911, Chalmers made history by sponsoring a cross-country race from New York to Los Angeles, known as the Glidden Tour. The race was won by a Chalmers-Detroit car, which helped to boost the company's reputation and sales. During World War I, Chalmers produced military vehicles, and after the war the company returned to producing passenger cars. In the 1920s, Chalmers struggled financially, and in 1922 the company was acquired by the Maxwell Motor Company. The last Chalmers-branded car rolled off the production line in 1923, but some of the features developed by Chalmers, such as the "One Shot" lubrication system, which used a disposable cartridge of oil to lubricate the engine, were adopted by other automakers and became standard features in the industry.
