1913 Simplex Model 38 Touring Car Pickup Conversion

485ci T-Head Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
Est 38bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear-Wheel Mechanical Brakes

*One of the ultimate big horse-power American sportscars
*Hidden away in a Pebble Beach garage for more than half a Century
*Formerly part of the renowned Arthur 'Fred' Austria Simplex Collection
*A legendary machine to drive that has to be experienced to be believed


THE GREAT SIMPLEX

Created by the former U.S. Mercedes importer and manufacturer Smith and Mabley in 1907, the Simplex was one of the most beautiful and potent American luxury cars of the Brass Era, and one of the few U.S. automobiles specifically and robustly built for fast highway travel.
Similar to other great automobiles of this period such as the Lozier Model 51 and Mercer Raceabout, examples of the Simplex are scarce and sought-after; those who own them tend to be long-term caretakers, and they are seldom available, especially at public sale. Examples figure into the famous Collier Collection at the REVS Institute and, significantly, the Smithsonian Institution – a nod to the importance of this design to American automobile history. The Simplex encapsulates everything exciting and heroic about this era of motoring.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Offered here - for the first time in more than half a Century - from a little garage hidden away from the public's eye, just a few miles from arguably the epi-center of classic cars which is the Pebble Beach Concours lawns, is this 'sleeping-giant' of a Model 38 Simplex, one of the Kings from the Nickel Era. Acquired from the Arthur 'Fred' Austria Simplex Auction held in October of 1971 by the consignor - a lifelong classic car afficionado, collector and historian. As presented at the 'Austria' auction, it was described simply as being 'Unrestored. A fabulous car'. By then it had long received simple modifications to its Touring coachwork to turn it into the Pickup as we see it today, its 137inch wheelbase indicating that its chassis was unaltered in this process.

Driven all over Monterey County in the old days- the Simplex has since been hidden away and only shown to very select friends and car true car enthusiasts. Old Automobile Club of Southern California badges sit on the radiator grill, a very old California license plate is fitted, and 1914 and 1915 California Motor Vehicle registration medallions are situated under dash. Displaying a wonderful patina throughout, the powerful Simplex Model 38 shows authentic finishes going back more than a Century. An ideal car to bring back out on the road with a stylish Touring body bolted on, this hidden gem must be among the last examples of the desirable model to surface and deserves serious consideration.