Preserving the Automobile on your way to Hershey

On 6^th October - just perfect when you're heading for Hershey - Bonhams are holding an auction in Philadelphia at the Simeone Automotive Museum entitled ‘Preserving the Automobile’.

The first 253 lots offer hundreds of books and brochures,  then lamps galore, some carbs, magnetos, instruments, horns and mascots – the rare 1928 Lalique ’Victoire’ being indicative of the quality of so many lots and estimated to be worth more than some cars! There’s always ‘Mr. Toad’ for those of more modest means.

Artwork will satisfy a wide range of tastes. I like lots 115 & 116 which are ceramic tile murals and there are photographs from 1938 Indianapolis 500 amongst photos of other events and cars. From an earlier time, Pater Helck was an American illustrator, born in 1893 and was strongly influenced by his visit to the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup race on Long Island. His subsequent success allowed him to buy the Locomobile ‘OLD 16’ which won the race in 1908 and to his great credit preserved the original drab grey paint on this fabulous car. Lot 39 includes a lovely picture of Helck cranking ‘OLD 16’.

The auction offers 60 lots of cars including some fine examples of how well cars can survive in original condition if stored properly and not spoiled by unnecessary restoration. This "time warp" 1929 La Salle Series 328 Convertible Coupe   recently emerged from storage since WWll and took very little work to return it to running/driving order, its big V8 giving it ‘exceptional performance.’

The 1916 Simplex Crane Model 5 Berline was originally owned by Commodore Jonathan Moore who dominated Lake George speedboat racing in the 1920s.  His detailed list of requirements from coachbuilders Brewster’s archives survives…” to be painted in 'gray oil finish', 'with silver lines', but none on the wheels. A simple 'Monogram JM in plain block letters' was to be present…. interior was to be upholstered in grey leather in the front and 'number 24 cloth' in the rear.” This remarkable automobile gives us a glimpse of luxury in its day and the solid engineering talent of Henry Middlebrook Crane.

The description of the 1921 Mercer Series 5 Sporting is worth reading – certainly for its opening sentence . This car proudly maintains the breed from the Mercer Raceabout’s early beginnings and will reward the person who finishes the necessary work to get her roadworthy.  The 1926 Ford Rajo Special however is raring to go and we are assured gives potent performance and huge amount of ‘bang for your buck’. The adjective ‘ potent’ is used twice to describe the 1925 Cunningham Series V-6 Phaeton and I would dearly love to taste the ‘crisp and potent’ feel of the 7 litre V8  -“ its torque was prodigious”

Ponder over the pictures of the 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Dinsdale 'Special' Limousine and we understand why Mrs Anheuser  Busch chose  this car as an understated way of owning the finest in engineering quality and reliability without the ostentatious appearance of one of Brewster's more sporting designs. ( They offered 28 body styles for the Phantom l chassis.)  

The 1925 Stanley Steam Model SV 252A Touring Car on offer is thought to be a prototype and has benefitted from 60 years careful storage, and after some recent work by steam experts is now ready to grace the garage of its next custodian and give sterling service for generations to come.

(Text Robin Batchelor pictures courtesy Bonhams.)