Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 257
1907 Austin Model LX-T 60HP Seven-Passenger Touring Chassis no. 25
Sold for US$313,000 inc. premium
Lot 257
Property from the Collection of Don C. Boulton
1907 Austin Model LX-T 60HP Seven-Passenger Touring
1907 Austin Model LX-T 60HP Seven-Passenger Touring
Chassis no. 25
Chassis no. 25
522.7ci F-Head Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
60bhp
4-Speed White Manual Transmission with Overdrive 4th Gear
Front 3/4 Elliptic Leaf Springs, Rear Full Elliptic Leaf Springs
Rear-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Offered from the Don C. Boulton Collection
*"The Highway King," a beautifully crafted 60hp car from Grand Rapids
*The only surviving four-cylinder Austin
*Part of the collection for over 30 years
*Offered with original sales literature and historic images
*One of the most powerful and impressive cars of its era
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Only four of the Grand Rapids, Michigan-built Austin automobiles remain extant, of which the Model LX-T offered here is the only known 60hp, four-cylinder example. According to George Ferris's definitive marque history, "Austin: The Highway King," published in the March-April 1978 issue of Antique Automobile magazine, it was being driven to California in 1913 when it developed transmission trouble. The transmission was shipped back to the Austin factory, but for some reason was never returned, and the car was then stored until it was acquired, by the early 1950s, by Ray Zeund of Dixon, Illinois.
Zeund sold the Austin around 1968 to Richard Pettingell of Ellenville, New York, who completed the restoration. Indications are that the work was largely cosmetic, as invaluable photographs, published in the article, show the car to have been well-preserved; it was complete except for the transmission and some of the lamps. Proper E&J headlamps, taillamp, and acetylene generator were sourced, and the body refinished in the correct color scheme of cream and brown with brown leather upholstery and genuine mahogany trim, exactly as described in Austin brochures. The dashboard was outfitted with a Warner Auto-Meter (combination speedometer/odometer) and Chelsea clock, illuminated by two lovely, small lamps with brass shades. A charming wicker basket, at the rear, provides space for spares and such.
Mr. Pettingell drove the car on the 4,400-mile Transcontinental Reliability Tour between Montreal, Quebec, and Tijuana, Mexico, in 1972, commenting that it was powerful and fast, capable of cruising between 50 and 55 mph. The present transmission, installed for the tour, is a rugged White four-speed transmission, with overdrive fourth gear, ideal for the highway, while a ring gear was added to the flywheel and a discreet electric starter fitted.
Don C. Boulton is believed to have acquired the Austin by 1985, and it has thus remained in his collection for over three decades. The restoration is now aged, but the car remains overall it is solid and intact, and the thought of feeling its 60 horsepower on the open road, its exhaust cut-out wide open, is a thrilling one. It is accompanied by a small but valuable cache of original Austin sales literature, and historic photographs that show it as it was acquired by Pettingell.
This is truly "The Highway King," one of the mightiest American machines from the dawn of motoring.
Saleroom notices
Please note, the title for this vehicle will be in transit.
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