Duesenberg and the Charles Schutte Body Company

Duesenderg Straight Eight with body by Charles Schutte (from the collection of the author)

The Charles Schutte Body Company was founded in 1910 in Lancaster, PA. Although not one of the largest body companies, they earned a reputation for their commercial work - mostly buses. In 1918, after bodying the prototype, Schutte would provide all the coachwork for the short-lived Argonne car from Jersey City, New Jersey over the next two years. This expose to automobile bodies lead to the opportunity to produce a small run of production bodies for the newly introduced Duesenberg Straight Eight. 

Later known as the Model A (after the introduction of the Model J), The Automobile Trade Journal of July 1, 1920 wrote, "The Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Corp. has bought a factory site in Indianapolis and plans 2400 cars the first year of operation. In addition to a special Duesenberg engine the car will be equipped with four wheel brakes and an axle designed by Fred S. Duesenberg. The new car is stated to be 400 lbs lighter than those of similar power and will obtain from 18 to 22 miles on a gallon of gasoline." 

The Duesenberg Straight Eight would be introduced in November of 1920 at the New York Automobile Salon and would be the first American production car to employ a straight eight cylinder engine and four-wheel brakes. Schutte would provide primarily closed bodies, making these unique and handsome Coupes and Sedans - though it is unknown exactly how many were produced. Other companies would body the Straight Eight as well as - one of the most prolific being Leon Ruby producing a number of attractive open cars. The car would be sold between 1921 and 1926 with roughly 650 being produced – well short of original estimates.

In 1926, seeing an opportunity, Charles Schutte entered into negotiations to merge with the Blue Ribbon Body Company of Bridgeport, CT - who's business had declined when Locomobile, it's largest customer, went bankrupt. Unfortunately for Schutte, his investors took him to court to stop the merger when it was learned that the lancaster, PA plant might be closed if the deal went through. Untimely, Schutte was found guilty of stock manipulation and the company went bankrupt.

Duesenderg Straight Eight with body by Charles Schutte (from the collection of the author)

RM Auction's Hershey sale - favorite picks

With the AACA's Hershey meet come the RM Auction's Hershey sale. Looking past the mountain of Fords, RM has assembled an interesting group of cars - as they always do. Tailored to the crowd at Hershey, the sale has many unique early cars and these are always favorites of mine.

The following are a few of my picks for the sale. I just wish I had a suitcase full of money and more garage space.

1911 Braiser (photo credit: RM Auctions)

Lot 108 is the 1911 Brasier Runabout. The inline monobloc four-cylinder engine is rated at 11/15 hp (that's taxable horsepower). Yes, it's a smaller horsepower car, but a great make and very handsome. The car has a wonderful history of being purchased new by the family of the consigners from the Manhattan dealership of Flandreau & Company, importers of French automobiles. The car is estimated to bring between $30,000 and $50,000.

1930 Cadillac Model 452 (photo credit: RM Auctions)

Lot 109 is the 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster by Fleetwood. Body style 4302 is possibly the most striking of the all the bodies offered in 1930. The car was ordered originally by the Whittalls family through Fizhenry Cadillac of Worcester, MA. I grew up around the corner from Worcester and would love to have such a magnificent piece of local history stay in the area - we'll see. This car is expected to sell for $450,000 to $650,000.

1902 Covert (photo credit: RM Auctions)

Lot 142 is the 1902 Covert Runabout. Ok, this is not the most practical motorcar as it's tiller steering and has a single-cylinder engine rated at 3 hp. However, it's history of Miss Woodard (a librarian) purchasing the car new in 1901 at the Lockport, NY factory is wonderful. She drove the car for a decade and it's largely as it was was she owned it. The Covert is expected to sell for $30,000 to $50,000 (I think it might do more).

1922 Duesenberg Model A Coupe (photo credit: RM Auctions)

Lot 156 is the 1922 Duesenberg Model A Fleetwood Coupe. One of only about 60 Model A Duesenbergs to survive, this is the only known Fleetwood bodied "Doctor's Coupe". In fact, it was originally purchased by Pennsylvania physician Doctor C.E. Beals. The car is expected to bring between $220,000 and $260,000.

1905 Fiat Quinby bodied touring car (photo credit: RM Auctions)

Lot 257 is the 1905 Fiat Quinby Touring car - the star of the sale. Bonhams Simeone sale just featured a Springfield Rolls-Royce owned by the Anheuser Busch family and here's another. This car, chassis 3003, is the third of twenty 60 horsepower chassis built in 1905. August Anheuser Busch Sr., of the legendary brewing company, purchased the car from Hollander and Tangeman - the American importer for Fiat located in Manhattan. The car was bodied here in America by Quinby & Company and the family kept the car until 1934 when it was purchased by legendary collector James Melton. The car is expected to bring between $800,000 and $1,200,000 (I'm confident will do over a million) - fantastic!

Bonhams' Simeone Sale - Preserving the Automobile

I'm off to the AACA National Fall Meet - better know as Hershey. The team at Bonhams as been working to establish a sale, in association with the fantastic Simeone Museum, that starts the week and features preservation cars. As with any new event, the first couple of years have been challenging, but they seem to have a pulled together a wonderful group of cars for this year's sale.

The following are a few of my picks of the sale. It should interesting to see how these cars do over the block. Which are your favorites?

1917 Packard Model 2-25 (photo credit: Bonhams Auctions)

Lot 305 is the 1917 Packard 2-25 Twin-Six Brougham with coachwork by Chauncey Thomas & Co. (a rather obscure coachworks from Boston). Not much seems to be know about it's early life, but it is a fascinating Packard. It is expected to sell for between $70,000 and $90,000.

1925 Cunningham Phaeton (photo credit: Bonhams Auctions)

Lot 322 is the 1925 Cunningham Series V-6 Phaeton with factory coachwork. The James Cunningham, Son & Company out of Syracuse, NY made a small number of extraordinary cars through the classic era. Regardless, of the model designation, this car is driven by the companies own 442ci L-Head V8 engine and is expected to bring between $135,000 to $160,000 - an absolute bargain in my humble opinion.

1927 Springfield Rolls-Royce Phantom I (photo credit: Bonhams Auctions)

Lot 326 is the the 1927 Rolls-Royce PI Dinsdale Limousine with Brewster coachwork originally delivered to Mrs. August Anheuser Busch, wife of August Anheuser Busch Sr, of the famed brewing company. This car appears to have only 13,500 original miles and has spent all but the last three years in the hands of two owners. It is expected to bring between $75,000 to $95,000.

1907 American Underslung Roadster (photo credit: Bonhams Auctions)

Lot 341 is the famed 1907 American Underslung Roadster of F.C. Deemer. Ok, this car really isn't a preservation car having been restored twice, but it is an amazing car with an incredible history. Written up back in 1979 in the Antique Automobile, the car was purchased by Deemer, an oil tycoon, to take her bride on their honeymoon. This car is probably one of the first Underslungs to be produced by the factory and the earliest to survive today. It was found in the early 1960s in the Deemer homestead with the three other American Underslungs the family had owned. This car is expected to fetch between $900,000 and 1.3 million - I expect that it will do better than $1 million.

Unknown car - Can you solve the mystery?

Connecticut circa 1918 (from the collection of the author)

I don't usually offer up a mystery car, but in this case I'm stumped. I acquired this image in an antique store a few months back and the car is noted as a Buick (written in pencil on the back). I'm fairly certain it's not a Buick. The car wears a 1918 Connecticut license plate, however the car itself is earlier - probably 1911 or 1912. It appears to be an American make of mid-price range. The photo is not the greatest, but you can click on it to enlarge.

The challenge is on. Please leave me a comment and let me know the year and make. 

UPDATE: Blog reader Ariejan Bos has suggested that this car may be a 1911 or 1912 Haynes. Great suggestion, Ariejan

Studebaker and the Whipple Stage

1926 Studebaker Model EP "Big Six" Duplex Phaeton (photo credit: Sharlot Hall Museum)

The Studebaker Corporation, of South Bend, Indiana, introduced the "Big Six" in 1922 and by 1926 the car had earned a reputation for being a strong runner for a reasonable price. This car features a 75 horsepower, 6-cylinder engine and wears Studebaker's "Duplex" body - a style copied after the "California" tops of the previous decade. Apparently these cars were favored by the southwest's lawmen and earned the nickname "Sheriff". 

The story is told in The Arizona Sheriff, by Grover F. Sexton. It states "Twelve of the fourteen counties of Arizona furnish the sheriff's office with an automobile. Every one of these twelve has bough a Studebaker. When this story came to South Bend, we commissioned Major Grover F. Sexton to visit each of these twelve sheriffs and see just what service Studebaker cars were rendering to the people of Arizona. In honor of Arizona sheriffs who have made the Studebaker a vibrant symbol of law and order, from the Grand Canyon to Old Mexico, the 5 passenger Big Six Sport Phaeton has been named "The Sheriff."

I wonder if this influenced Jack Sills, the man seen with his Studebaker in the photo above, to acquire his car? Mr. Sills founded the Whipple Stage in 1922 to provide bus service to soldiers at Fort Whipple in Prescott, Arizona. From the sign on the number, it cost 15 cents to get to town. Fort Whipple is now the Prescott Veterans Hospital and Jack Sills's Whipple Stage gave birth to Prescott Transit which still operates today.

1914 Packard Model 2-38 Runabout

The sporty Packard 2-38 Pheaton Runabout of 1914 (photo from the author's collection)

The 1914 model year was a transitional one for Packard. Having introduced their first six-cylinder car only two years prior, Packard had now standardized on the six-cylinder. However, they offered a dizzying array of chassis and body options. This car, seen in a period postcard, is a 1914 Model 2-38 with a two-tone "phaeton runabout" body - a very sporty offering. With an L-head, 38 horsepower engine, this car is smaller in displacement than their model 48 of the same year. 1914 also brought a number of new features to Packard, including left-hand drive and a Delco electric starting system.

In May of 1915, Packard would introduce their landmark Twin-Six and change everything - the first mass-produced V-12 engine. Additionally, Carl Fisher would pace the 1915 Indianapolis 500 in a Packard factory special built from a 1914 Model 2-38 runabout.

Today, there are roughly 6 to 8 1914 Model 2-38 Packard's known to survive. Only one of these is a runabout - the 1915 Indy pace car. If you own a 1914 Packard, you have between the 141st and 161st oldest Packard to survive. 

Factory image of a 1914 Packard Model 2-38 Pheaton Runabout (photo credit: Detroit Public Library, IMLS)

1909 Stoddard-Dayton Tours London

1909 Stoddard-Dayton touring London (from the collection of the author)

This postcard, showing the pride of Dayton, Ohio's Dayton Motor Car Company, the Stoddard-Dayton, appears to be taken in London. Upon careful examination, the building in the background looks to be Britain's House of Commons (or Parliament Building). Could this shot be taken from the Victoria Tower Gardens?

The Stoddard name was already well established and respected within Dayton. It was John Stoddard's farm implements business that put Dayton on the map as a center for industrial production. Together with his son Charles, the two would turn to automobile manufacturing in 1905. In 1907, they would introduce an engine of their own design and by 1909 they manufactured most all components for their cars within thier own factory complex. 

I believe this car to be a Model 9K, Detachable Tonneau. The largest of the line that year, the car featured a 4-cylinder, 45 horsepower engine on a 120 inch wheelbase and sold for $2700.00. Stoddard-Dayton also sold this Detachable Tonneau style on their 35 horsepower - Model 9C - chassis. The company had North American representatives spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Canada to Texas, however I could find no reference to a London agent? It is certainly possible that a wealthy family brought over their Stoddard-Dayton for a European tour (no uncommon at the time).

The company earned a reputation for fast, reliable cars - competing (and winning) many tests of endurance and speed. Unfortunately, the Stoddard's made an error in judgment when they decided to merge with the recently formed United States Motor Company in 1910. The brain child of Benjamin Briscoe, the company was an effort to consolidate many automotive brands, a prevailing movement in the industry at the time. United States Motor Company would buy up 11 companies - including, Maxwell, Columbia, and Brush - before going bankrupt in 1913. A reorganized Maxwell would buy up the assets but the Stoddard-Dayton name was never revived. A few years later the Maxwell board would entice Walter Chrysler to lead the company. With a deal that allowed Chrysler to gain controlling interest, he would found the Chrysler Corporation and retire the Maxwell name.

UPDATE:
Blog reader Ariejan Bos has added the following:

References to the presence of Stoddard-Dayton in Europe are scarce: according to the "List of Motor Cars 1908-1914" (accessible through the site of Grace's Guide) Stoddard (no suffix!) was present in the UK from 1912 on. However I have a photo of a Stoddard from a 1911 English magazine (probably The Graphic, but no exact date), so they were available earlier but how much remains unclear.

Although I first thought it was an early 'photoshop' because of the vague contours of the buildings, the photo was made in London indeed: the lamp is clearly a London Embankment example. Looking at the angle from which we see the Parliament buildings, the photo must have been shot from across the Thames, roughly along the Albert Embankment near Lambeth Bridge.

As always thanks for your always interesting blog!

Motor Age, September 10, 1908

  

1905 Gordon-Bennett Cup Winner - Richard Brasier

1905 Postcard showing the Richard-Brasier stand at the Paris Salon (from the collection of the author)

I came across this postcard in Monterey and couldn't resist. As it states, the card illustrates the Richard-Basier stand at the Paris Salon in 1906. The star-car of the French show, the 1905 Gordon-Bennett winning racer is seen front and center.

The French firm of Richard-Brasier has a confusing history with many name changes, but the simple version starts with brothers Georges and Maxine Richards. They entered the bicycle business in 1893 and a few years later started manufacturing vehicles resembling the Benz Velo. In 1901, they enticed Henri Brasier, the chief designer for Mors, to join the team. His impact was immediate and by 1902, Brasier's name was added to the marquee. 

The Gordon-Bennette Cup was the premier international race at the turn of the 20th century. Founded by the American owner of the New York Herald, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., the race was overseen by the Automobile Club de France (ACF) and open to the qualifying cars from each country. First raced in  1900, the race was won by a Panhard. Mors would take the fastest time in 1901 and this result would impact the Richard brother's decision to approach Henri Brasier. S.F. Edge would change the game in 1902, winning the race and taking the Cup from France. After Mercedes won in 1903, Richard-Brasier would bring the Cup home to France in 1904. The race held the greatest prestige and France took enormous pride in being on the cutting edge of the automobile industry. 

Henri Brasier would make minor changes to the 1905 Richard-Brasier racer, lowering the center of gravity. The car had a 4-cylinder engine producing 90 hp at 1200 rev - three forward speeds and dual-chain drive. At 2150 pounds and 104 inch wheel base, the car was very much in keeping with the prevailing design of the day. With Leon Thery at the wheel (the 1904 winning driver), the car would win the French elimination trials. Richard-Brasier fielded two cars driven by Thery and Cailois - and with strict instructions to keep their speed under 50mph, they would finish the race 1st and 2nd. The racers certainly had the capability for higher speeds, but they wisely recognized the need to go the distance. The Fiat team lead the first two laps by quite a margin, but would retire with mechanical problems, giving the win to Thery and the number 5 Richard-Brasier racer.

photo credit: Motor Age July 6, 1905

The 1905 Gordon-Bennett Cup was run on the Auvergne circuit covering 4 laps or roughly 340 miles. Thery won in 7.02:25 (just over seven hours) at an average speed of 48.5 miles per hour. This would turn out to be the last running of the Gordon-Bennett Cup as France (and England) would choose not to resume the competition (forever keeping the cup in France). The competition would be replaced with an endurance race at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans.

It was written that the Richard-Brasier company would send the car as well as Thery and Cailois to the America to run the Vanderbilt Cup, but does not appear to have happened. In 1904/1905 the Richard brothers left the company to start the Unic that went on to achieve success building light cars and cabs. The company name changed to Brasier, however, they would not repute their successes of 1905. In 1927 the name was changed yet again - to Chaigneau-Brasier - and in 1930 they ceased production, selling the factory to Delahaye.

photo credit: The Autocar December 23, 1905

2015 Pebble Beach - More Edwardian Cars

I'm still going through the multitude of photos that we took in Monterey, and I though I'd share a few more of the early cars seen around the peninsula that week. Many events included Edwardian era cars - some of these events are open to the public and some are not - and all were great fun.

Here's a few of my favorites: 

A 1905 White Model E Steam Car being pulled off the trailer in the paddock. This car was freshly restored and would go on to win its class on Sunday. A rare model and year. (author's photo)

A 1908 Packard Model 30 Runabout being offered by Boulevard Motorcars at their private showing. This car was one of my personal favorites from the entire week. It wore a lovely patina from a 40 + year old restoration. These are very capable cars for their time. (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

A 1902 White Model B Stream Car arriving on the 18th fairway Sunday morning. We had the pleasure of meeting Tom and his steamer on the tour. With a bit of a head start, he was able to climb the hill into Carmel and parked right behind us on Ocean Avenue. (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

This Franklin had been customized to run in the Los Angles to Phoenix race back in 1910 I believe. The car had a great presence sitting in the paddock at Leguna Seca. As with all Franklins of this age, it is air-cooled with the cylinder's cast individually. (author's photo)

Two of the three surviving 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Team cars sitting behind the Mercedes-Benz display. The car in the foreground is owned by the Collier Collection and was the reserve car for the 1914 French GP (it did not race). The car in the background is owned by the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Mercedes placed 1-2-3 at the 1914 French Grand Prix. (author's photo)

This very interesting and authentic early Isotta Fraschini sat unnoticed in the dealer sale area over at Spanish Bay. The event wasn't very memorable, but this car was. (author's photo)

One of two Nationals found in the paddock at Leguna Seca. Of course  National gained racing fame by winning the 1912 Indianapolis 500. I'm not either of these cars started life as race cars, but they certainly looked fantastic. (author's photo)

A 1914 Opel 4500 CC GP racer on the 18th fairway Sunday morning. I had the opportunity to hear this car run in the paddock and it sounded great. Owned by the Keller Family, the car ran in the 1914 French Grand Prix and was the only Opel entry to finish the race. (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

I believe this Packard was found in Australia and the owner planned to turn it back to a touring car. I'm not sure of it's actual race history, but it's been restored as a racer. (author's photo)

I believe this car is a 1901 Panhard et Levassor. Quite advanced for its age, the car was offered by Boulevard Motorcars at their private showing. (author's photo)

A 1913 Peugeot 3 liter Labourdette from the Collier Collection on the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours. This car, driven by Arthur Duray, placed 2nd in the 1913 Indianapolis 500 - and in the process, changed racing forever. The success of this car and it's revolutionary hi-reving, small displace engine influence race car design ever-after. (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

A 1913 Peugeot L45 racer from Ann Bothwell's collection of amazing cars. One of four factory team cars campaigned at the 1914 French Grand Prix. (author's photo)

A 1892 Philion Road Carriage from the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection). This relic from and earlier time, is drive from the back - not sure how you would see where you're going if you had passengers in the font seat? (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

A 1907 Renault being offered by Boulevard Motorcars. This is one of about a dozen cars specially ordered by William Vanderbilt for his buddies to race out on long Island. About half of these cars survive -  a smaller version of Renault's Grand Prix car of the day. (author's photo)

A 1910 Simplex Touring owned by a friend of ours being offered by Boulevard Motorcars. Fantastic car, but when you have two, I guess one can go. (author's photo)

A very interesting 1900 Skene Steam Runabout. From the excellent Richard C. Paine Jr. collection (Seal Cove Automobile Museum), this car is the sole surviving effort of the J.W. Skene Cycle Company of Lewiston, Maine. (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

A 1909 Stanley Model R Gentlemans Speedster. A local car (from Long Beach, CA), it a had a little trouble with Thursday's tour and arrived in Carmel on a flatbed. (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

A 1907 White Model G Steam Car from New York state seen in the paddock. I had a chance to visit with the owner who lifted the seat cushion and showed me "1GR" stamped in the wood frame. This car is the very first model G and was on the White stand at the 1907 New York auto show. (author's photo)

The 1914 French Grand Prix winner, this Mercedes was restored back to its race form by George Wingard (who remains its owner today). The car was vintage raced at Leguna Seca and then exhibited at the Concours on Sunday - it's had to imagine that this important car is in private hands. (author's photo)

I had an enjoyable visit with Nick and his brother who had brought this 1902 Toledo Steamer. This car is believed to have been specially commissioned from the Pope Manufacturing Company for a Los Angles buyer. Nick has found evidence of the car being driven to the Grand Canyon in the day. In 1903, these cars would be renamed "Pope-Toledo". (photo credit: Nathan Evans)

2014 Pebble Beach Concours - Antique Class

The family's 1909 Pierce-Arrow Model 36 entering Carmel on Thursday's tour. (author's photo)

Now back from a wonderful week in Monterey, I'll be posting some photos from our adventure.  Everyone knows The Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance draws some great cars; included among these is a small class of brass era vehicles. I need to say a big thank you to blog reader, Colin, who invited Dad to bring his 1909 Pierce-Arrow this year. What a special time we had as an entrant (I had never experienced that before)! 

The Class consisted of 6 six cars, however, the 1911 Interstate that joined us on the Tour d' Elegance (the proceeding Thursday) did not make it to the Concours on Sunday. The Tour was a bit arduous in the beginning (big hills for old cars), but finished with a thrill as some 90,000 people lined the streets on Carmel to welcome the cars. Finally, I want to say thank you to blog reader Pat & Nick for stopping by the Pierce-Arrow on Sunday to say hello - I hope your car club enjoys the photos.

The Concours itself was magical surrounds by amazing automobiles and many, many people. The interest in the early cars was fantastic and we spent a very enjoyable day talking to people about the Pierce-Arrow.

1910 American Underslung Traveler from the Off Brothers Collection in Michigan. This car was just re-restored to its correct livery and placed first in class. (author's photo)

1915 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Suburban at the Concours. This car was originally owned by Milton Hershey of chocolate fame and placed third in class. (author's photo)

Beautiful, freshly restored 1908 Daimler TC48 brought from Canada by the Longfield family. This car placed second in class (author's photo)

Bill Evans' (no relation) wonderful 1910 Fiat S61 racer at the Concours. This car was driven by Ralph DePalma at Savannah in period. (author's photo)

1911 Interstate Model 31-A from California on Thursday's tour. (author's photo)

Dad being interviewed about the Pierce-Arrow in Carmel. (author's photo)

Fantasy picks for Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale

It's Monterey Car Week once again, and in anticipation of going for the first time in almost ten years, my son and I sat down to pick our top three cars being offered by Bonhams at their Quail Lodge sale. Not simply the most expensive or rare, but the cars we'd most like to have in our garage - cars we would use.

Once again we found ourselves with the problem of trimming our selections down - so here's our top 5. What are your picks?

Photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta (lot 3) no estimate given (that translates as "expensive" in auction speak). Well, call us star-struck but we're falling for the GTO - it's a 250 GTO after all!

Photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

The 1912 Speedwell Speed Car (lot 231) estimated at $550,000 to $750,000. We have a family friend who had a speedwell - they sound great - often called the poor man's Simplex. This car also has great ownership history.

Photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

The 1948 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupe (lot 242) estimated at $1.1 to $1.5 million. I might have overlooked this car if not for my son. On closer inspection it appears to be a fantastic car with great history - and I find this to be one of the best looking T26's that I can remember.

Photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

The 1908 Napier Type 23A Touring (lot 254) estimated at $1.1 to $1.4 million. Dad grew up knowing Rod Blood (the former owner of this car) and visited is barn full of cars regularly. Mr. Blood was a Packard collector and this was not a car he used often. Regardless, Napier's are exceptional cars and you rarely seem them here in the States.

Photo credit: Bonhams Auctions

The 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 (lot 260) estimated at $1.3 to $1.5 million. My son didn't think this car belonged on the list, but it's my blog so I overruled him. The 289 is the Cobra to have in my opinion and who wouldn't want to have a this car in their garage? I need to have a talk with that kid.