1912 Unic Two-Door Transformable by Liotard Frères

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. 

 * * * 

Georges Richard was the founder of Unic which built vehicles in France from 1904-1939. He was financed by Baron Dr. Henri de Rothschild who made the PASCAL car in 1902-1903 and on whose land the large factory for the manufacture of Unic cars was erected in 1906. Richard planned a one-model policy, thus the Unic (unique) name. He soon found a demand for larger four-cylinder cars and began expanding his offerings.

As early as 1906, the Unic automobile became associated with taxis. Of the 7,292 Unics produced from 1906 to the end of 1913, half were taxicabs. Several models of conventional four-cylinder cars were made between 1908 and 1913. Largest was a 25hp 4900cc unit. More typical were the 10/12hp 1,460cc and 12/16hp 2,120cc engines. Unic made their own bodies for the smaller models. Custom coachwork, like this body by Liotard Freres, was available at the buyer’s request.

The Société Métallurgique Liotard Frères, founded in 1857, is a French company specializing in metalworking and sheet metal fabrication. Based in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, near Tours, the company is renowned for producing gas cylinders and tanks, as well as components for the automotive and appliance industries.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• Unique Edwardian vehicle

• High-style French custom coachwork by Liotard Freres

• Flathead four-cylinder engine

Features

• Black vinyl landau convertible top

• Painted wire wheels

• Brass King of the Road headlamps

• Brass radiator, trim and hubs

• Bulb horn

• Sliding side windows

• Staggered seating

• Rear-mounted spare

• Brass kerosene taillamp

• Rear storage compartment

• Foldout split windscreen

• Cloth ribbed upholstery

• Cylinder-type vacuum wiper

• Rubber covered running boards

Ownership History

Frederick William Barrett (Original Owner) A.E. Stradling; Reginald Taverner (Car was on display at the Beaulieu Motor Museum); Mike Bradbrook, England; Clive Harry Sherwood.

Resided on display in the Nethercutt Collection since 2001.

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This Unic is a 'unique' automobile. Unic’s were built by the best coachbuilding traditions. This car resided in England for most of its life and is now ready for a new home.” 

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