c.1906 Queen Model K Touring

269.5ci L-Head Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
26bhp
3-Speed Selective-Shift Manual Transmission
Semi-Elliptical Front and Fully Elliptical Rear Leaf Springs
Rear-Wheel Drum Brakes

*"A Queen for Fair," last and finest model of an early Detroit automaker
*Formerly part of Harrah's Automobile Collection
*Acquired directly from Harrah's in 1986 for the museum
*Well-presented older restoration

THE QUEEN AUTOMOBILE

Carl H. Blomstrom was an early pioneer of the Detroit automotive industry, who produced several different early cars – first the namesake Blomstrom of 1902-04, then the Queen of 1904-06, followed by another Blomstrom and then the Deluxe. One might assume that Mr. Blomstrom's cars represented an evolution of his engineering talent and thinking, but in reality, the Deluxe was like the Blomstrom, which was a lot like the final Queen, the four-cylinder Model K of 1906, an imposing and costlier (at $2,000) model with its beautiful modern Roi des Belges bodywork inspired by German designs.

"The Big 1906 Queen is a Queen for Fair," advertisements bragged. "The Motor throughout is a model of strength and simplicity." Indeed, the Model K was a major change from the earlier two-cylinder Queen cars, and may well have been the company's lowest-production model, having been built only in its final months of life. It was the finest automobile that Mr. Blomstrom ever built. Today the few survivors are part of several prominent collections, among them the Tupelo Automobile Museum, whose Model K boasts perhaps the finest history of them all.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The Tupelo Automobile Museum's Queen Model K was acquired from the famous Harrah's Automobile Collection at their legendary dispersal auction in 1986. At Harrah's and in current ownership it was always known as a 1907 model, but as the Queen company had ended production by that point, it is more likely that the car is in fact a 1906. Nonetheless it is one of the last and grandest products of this pioneer manufacturer.

Comparing the car to the photograph in the Harrah's catalogue, it appears to have been preserved in the museum much as it was purchased, including rich green lacquer finish that still holds a good shine, tufted black leather upholstery, and a black canvas top, still in good overall condition. Authenticity is highly present throughout, including the "Queen" bracket for the steering column. Its brass trim, including the Gray & Davis headlamps and Dietz sidelamps, has polished up well and is still very attractive. Offered with the car is a collection of documents relating to its purchase from Harrah's, including the Certification of Authenticity noting that it was formerly of the Collection.

Any enthusiast of the early American automaker should appreciate the regal beauty of this car, which is truly a Queen both in name and appearance!