1928 Velie Model 77 Four-Door Sedan

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 Velie Motors Corporation was founded by and named after Willard Velie, a maternal grandson of John Deere. Its predecessor, the Velie Carriage Company, was incorporated in 1902 becoming one of the largest carriage manufacturers in the West. Vehicles were built in Moline, Illinois from 1908 to 1928. The company introduced a truck line in 1911, the same time of which the company built a proprietary four-cylinder engine.

In 1914, a Continental six-cylinder engine was introduced using electric start and Bosch dual ignition; by 1916 all Velies used six-cylinder engines. Velie automobiles did well in endurance racing and hill climbs, and even competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500; finishing 17th in a field of 46 cars. Until about 1915, Velie automobiles were retailed through John Deere dealers.

In addition to two 6-cylinder models for 1929, 50 hp and 60 hp engines, Velie added a 90 hp eight-cylinder model. The Model 77 was the mid-range Velie offering featuring a 60 hp six-cylinder engine while using a 118-inch wheelbase chassis. Velie built 3,137 vehicles for 1928, its final full year of automobile production. The factory was closed in 1929 following the death of founder Williard Velie and the passing of his son just five months later. Without the Velies, the Velie business was no more.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• AACA HPOF Winner National Spring Meet, Moline, Illinois July 1, 1989

• Attractively styled seldom seen vehicle

• One of just 3,137 total Velies built for 1928.

Features

• Wood artillery wheels

• Rear-mounted spare

• Accessory metal trunk

• Front and rear bumpers

• Roll-up front windshield

• Sideview mirror

• Solid body

• Tinted glass visor

• Drum rear taillight

• Chrome head and cowl lamps

• Heater

• Vacuum windshield wiper motor

• Rear compartment privacy shades

• Courtesy lights

Ownership History

Mr. Meyer, Waverly, Iowa (original owner 1928-1960); Jerry Nissen, Cedar Falls, Iowa (1960-1970); Unknown owner, Clinton, Iowa (1970-1996); Nethercutt Collection (1996-Present).

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This little Velie spent almost seven decades of its life in the great state of Iowa. With strong ties to John Deere, this is an amazing example of only around 230 Velie’s known to exist today. It is a superb example of the last year of production for a motor company that simply started by the American dream.” 

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