1904 Winton 20 hp Runabout with Rear-Entrance Tonneau

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

 * * * 

The Winton Motor Carriage Company was based in Cleveland, Ohio and was one among the earliest American manufacturers to sell a motor car. Alexander Winton founded the company which began by making bicycles. He built his first car, a single-cylinder experimental model, in 1896. Two years later he retailed his first automobile. That first year, Winton sold 25 cars. Once of his first customers included J.W. Packard. It was Packard’s dissatisfaction with his Winton that led to him thinking he could “build a better mousetrap,” and thus, the formation of the Packard Motor Car Co.

The Winton engine in this vehicle is equipped with a variable-lift inlet valve that is activated by compressed air. It features two horizontally opposed cylinder producing about 20 hp. This was a very expensive car when new costing about $2,500.

Winton was first to replace the tiller with a steering wheel; he was the first to use pneumatic tires; and first American company to manufacture diesel engines in 1912. Winton concentrated marketing cars to upscale customers, but due to the conservative nature of his vehicles, sales faltered, and the automobile company closed its doors on February 11, 1924. The company continued in the production of marine diesel engines.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• London to Brighton eligible

• Four-passenger runabout with detachable Rear-Entrance Tonneau

• Excellent example of an early Brass-Era vehicle

Features

• Very complete vehicle

• Wood-spoke artillery wheels

• Gray and Davis headlights

• Lucas cowl lamps

• Bulb horn

• Brass sideview mirror

• Electric starter

• Battery box under rear floorboard

• Chain drive

• Dunlop cord tires with unused spare

• Beautiful cast brass “Winton” step plates and sills

• Brass Selden Patent plate

• Battery box under rear floorboard

• Leather seating

• Wood body and fenders

• Motor turns free

Ownership History

1904 Mr. Picton-Bradshaw Dublin, Ireland; John Bentley 1990.

Resided in the Nethercutt Collection since 1990.

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This Winton used to compete in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. It also sported two body styles. This car is being offered with its summer body.”

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: dgould@hagerty.com