Brewster & Company was one of America’s most prestigious carriage and coachbuilding firms. Founded by James Brewster in 1810 in New Haven, Connecticut, the business moved to New York City and became the leading builder of fine carriages for America’s wealthiest families. In the automobile age, Brewster built luxury car bodies — most famously for Rolls-Royce of America — from a large factory in Long Island City, Queens, and even sold cars under its own name. The Depression ended the firm in the late 1930s, but its name remains a byword for American craftsmanship.

At a glance
Founded 1810, New Haven, Connecticut
Later base New York City; factory in Long Island City, Queens
Known for Carriages, then luxury car bodies
Rolls-Royce link Bodies for Rolls-Royce of America; acquired by Rolls-Royce in the 1920s
Brewster cars Its own cars in the 1910s–20s and Ford-based cars in the 1930s

America’s carriage builder

In the 19th century, a Brewster carriage was the equivalent of a luxury car today. The company’s high standards and distinctive dark green paint — “Brewster green” — were admired by wealthy New Yorkers.

Into the motor age

Brewster built bodies for imported and domestic luxury chassis. When Rolls-Royce opened its American factory in Springfield, Massachusetts, Brewster became its preferred coachbuilder, and Rolls-Royce of America bought the company in the 1920s. Read Rolls-Royce Springfield.

The Long Island City factory

Brewster’s large factory building near Queens Plaza in Long Island City was a landmark of New York’s industrial age — a reminder that Queens was once home to fine automotive craftsmanship.

Brewster cars

Brewster sold its own luxury cars in the 1910s and 1920s and, in the mid-1930s, distinctive bodies with a heart-shaped grille on Ford chassis, an attempt to survive the Depression.

The end

With Rolls-Royce of America closed and the luxury market collapsed, Brewster ceased operations in the late 1930s. Read the history of coachbuilders.