Equipment
RHD. 7.5 litre/65hp inline four, progressive shift 4-speed transmission, varnished wood spoke wheels, Firestone tires, dual rear-mounted spares, Warner speedometer, no headlights or fenders.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
One of about ten built for Willy K. Vanderbilt and his well-heeled friends to scare chickens and sheep on Long Island's Motor Parkway and race in early American events. Possibly driven by Louis Raffolovitch in the Brighton (Brooklyn) 24 hours in 1907. Discovered by singer/collector James Melton in 1946, sold to Cunningham driver Bill Spear, Jr. then acquired for the Indianapolis Speedway Hall of Fame Museum for more than 60 years before being acquired by the consignor. Toured and vintage raced since, cosmetically freshened before the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours where it won the Pre-War Racing class, the Phil Hill Trophy and the Revs Institute Award. Sound older paint with touched up scrapes and scratches. Good recent upholstery (original upholstery included.) Dulling brass. Orderly, clean engine and chassis. Excellent running and driving with an impeccable provenance.
Market commentary
Almost a modern "front mid-engined" layout with the gigantic 4-cylinder and gearbox placed far back in the chassis and said to drive and handle exceptionally well (but note there's no mention of "brakes" in that observation.) An exceptionally complete and well-preserved example in condition good enough to show (q.v.: Pebble Beach) but not so good it can't, or shouldn't, be driven. It was bought by Donald ("Assess and Caress") Osborne on behalf of the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, Rhode Island where it will fit smoothly into the Newport milieu among the cottages of the Vanderbilts and their contemporaries. It couldn't be in a better place, nor one where it will be more frequently viewed and experienced.