Vehicles from C. G. V., Panhard, Renault and Mors were imported, followed later by Mercedes and Isotta Fraschini.

Franquist attributed his engineering designs as being influenced by the finest European motor cars.

[5] In 1903 Smith & Mabley offices and showroom and garage were located to a new building at 513-519 Seventh Avenue.

[6] In 1903, Franquist designed a four-cylinder engine that was used on motor boats for racing including the Vingt-et-Un, Challenger and Dixie I.

[8][9] The new marque name was S & M Simplex and the Smith & Mabley Manufacturing Company was set up for production..[1] A Smith & Mabley Simplex 75-hp racing car competed in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup, owned and driven by Frank Croker.

Too many holes had been drilled in the frame to try to lighten the car, and it collapsed during the race seriously slowing his speed.

[9] Frank Croker and his mechanic were killed during a speed run in his S & M Simplex racer on the Ormond-Daytona Beach in 1905, while swerving to avoid a motorcycle.

Smith & Mabley suffered during the recession and stock market slides in late 1906 that led up to the Panic of 1907.

[1][2] Smith & Mabley were importers of the Charron, Girardot & Voigt motor car made in France.

After the short production run, Smith & Mabley returned to importing the C. G. V.[2][1] All S & M Simplex's were powered by 4-cylinder engines.