Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 161
1911 Locomobile Model 40 I Four Passenger Demi-Tonneau Chassis no. 2376 Engine no. 2376
Estimate: US$450,000 - US$550,000
Lot 161
1911 Locomobile Model 40 I Four Passenger Demi-Tonneau
1911 Locomobile Model 40 I Four Passenger Demi-Tonneau
Chassis no. 2376
Engine no. 2376
Chassis no. 2376
Engine no. 2376
471ci T-Head Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
60hp
4-Speed Sliding Gear Manual Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs with Rigid Front Axle – Live Rear Axle
Rear Wheel Cable-Operated Drum Brakes
*Formerly in the collections of Walter McCarthy and Richard King
*Comprehensively restored in the early 2000s
*Shown and toured, including at Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Hall
*Top of the line, chain drive Locomobile
*Usable Brass Era tour car
THE LOCOMOBILE
'The Locomobile 40 should be the logical choice of those who desire a high-powered car' 'This car is thoroughly typical of Locomobile construction and is the most high powered car we have built' 'It is a touring car par excellence and will meet any test of endurance to which it may be subjected' – period advertising for Locomobile.
Few would argue the greatest pre-World War I automobile in existence is the 1907 Locomobile "Old Sixteen". This 120hp Loco was the first American car to be victorious in the Vanderbilt Cup race in Long Island, besting a field of the finest factory cars from around the globe. Old Sixteen survives to this day in its original condition and is the rolling epitome of the heroic era of motor racing.
Even without this racing success, Locomobile would still have been regarded as one of the finest cars of the period, made to uncompromising standards of quality and without concern for cost. Locomobile's most famous feature that exemplified the quality of its construction was its solid bronze crankcase.
Locomobile originally rose to prominence producing steam cars to the Stanley brothers' design. These small carriages were the best-selling American automobiles of the time. Recognizing that the future would not be paved with steam, Locomobile hired the brilliant designer Andrew Riker to design a new line of gasoline automobiles. A new factory was established in Bridgeport, Connecticut and 1905 saw the first Gasolene (Locomobile's literature used this spelling) range introduced.
Riker's designs were heavily influenced by the European manufacturers of the day. These new gas Locomobiles were designed with performance and speed in mind, taking from Europe the Panhard system of the engine up front, transmission in the middle, and the drive at the rear wheels. Powering these cars was a lovely T-head four-cylinder motor. The T-head engine offered excellent flow characteristics and allowed the builder to use very large valves. All of these early models drove the power through dual chain drive rear ends.
In 1908, the Model 40 was unveiled as their top of the line and most powerful model offered to date, its 5 inch x 6 inch, 471 cubic inch T-head engine put out some 60hp, maintaining their chain drive transaxle format. The 40hp car topped the range from 1908 until 1911, with prices including bodywork at the considerable price of $4,750 for touring cars. Today, survivors of the model are few and far between, but those that have experienced praise their driving traits.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Displaying all of the best characteristics of a sports touring car of the Brass era, this majestic top of the line Model I benefits from the torquey four pot 40hp motor conveyed to the road by chains, and has benefited from refurbishment at the hands of some of the most renowned owners and restorers in the early car world.
Acquired by noted collector Walter 'Wally' McCarthy of Long Island in the 1960s, as a project, it was he who ensured that the car was first returned to its original glory, completing a rebuild and subsequently campaigning the car on in Horseless Carriage Club and 'Friends' tours. In the late 1990s it passed on to noted Connecticut based collector Richard King, a second generation collector with a particular passion for pre-war sports cars and a penchant for the best in brass. By this time its 30 plus year old restoration had aged somewhat, and a decision was made to comprehensively refresh the car. The work was entrusted to two experts in their respected fields, John Fleck handled the mechanicals, while Stu Laidlaw, who is known for his fine eye on the cosmetics of these cars, carried out the refurbishment of the bodywork and paint.
Completed in 2004, and being in such excellent order, Mr. King elected to show it at the 2004 edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where annually some of finest restorations of pre-1914 cars debut. In a competitive category, the car took a well-earned 2nd in Class. Mr. King also recalls using the car for brass tours until 2007 when it was sold into the ownership of the Longfield family in Toronto. While in their hands the Locomobile was shown at the 2010 Meadowbrook Hall Concours, taking a Class Win. The Longfields would retain the car for seven years before it returned into US ownership, joining the current collection in 2018.
In this ownership the car has continued to be enjoyed, being toured and shown at appropriate events, its restoration, thanks to careful maintenance stands up extremely well with immaculate paintwork and highly polished beautiful brass accessories and trim.
Single Updraft Carburetor
60hp
4-Speed Sliding Gear Manual Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs with Rigid Front Axle – Live Rear Axle
Rear Wheel Cable-Operated Drum Brakes
*Formerly in the collections of Walter McCarthy and Richard King
*Comprehensively restored in the early 2000s
*Shown and toured, including at Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Hall
*Top of the line, chain drive Locomobile
*Usable Brass Era tour car
THE LOCOMOBILE
'The Locomobile 40 should be the logical choice of those who desire a high-powered car' 'This car is thoroughly typical of Locomobile construction and is the most high powered car we have built' 'It is a touring car par excellence and will meet any test of endurance to which it may be subjected' – period advertising for Locomobile.
Few would argue the greatest pre-World War I automobile in existence is the 1907 Locomobile "Old Sixteen". This 120hp Loco was the first American car to be victorious in the Vanderbilt Cup race in Long Island, besting a field of the finest factory cars from around the globe. Old Sixteen survives to this day in its original condition and is the rolling epitome of the heroic era of motor racing.
Even without this racing success, Locomobile would still have been regarded as one of the finest cars of the period, made to uncompromising standards of quality and without concern for cost. Locomobile's most famous feature that exemplified the quality of its construction was its solid bronze crankcase.
Locomobile originally rose to prominence producing steam cars to the Stanley brothers' design. These small carriages were the best-selling American automobiles of the time. Recognizing that the future would not be paved with steam, Locomobile hired the brilliant designer Andrew Riker to design a new line of gasoline automobiles. A new factory was established in Bridgeport, Connecticut and 1905 saw the first Gasolene (Locomobile's literature used this spelling) range introduced.
Riker's designs were heavily influenced by the European manufacturers of the day. These new gas Locomobiles were designed with performance and speed in mind, taking from Europe the Panhard system of the engine up front, transmission in the middle, and the drive at the rear wheels. Powering these cars was a lovely T-head four-cylinder motor. The T-head engine offered excellent flow characteristics and allowed the builder to use very large valves. All of these early models drove the power through dual chain drive rear ends.
In 1908, the Model 40 was unveiled as their top of the line and most powerful model offered to date, its 5 inch x 6 inch, 471 cubic inch T-head engine put out some 60hp, maintaining their chain drive transaxle format. The 40hp car topped the range from 1908 until 1911, with prices including bodywork at the considerable price of $4,750 for touring cars. Today, survivors of the model are few and far between, but those that have experienced praise their driving traits.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Displaying all of the best characteristics of a sports touring car of the Brass era, this majestic top of the line Model I benefits from the torquey four pot 40hp motor conveyed to the road by chains, and has benefited from refurbishment at the hands of some of the most renowned owners and restorers in the early car world.
Acquired by noted collector Walter 'Wally' McCarthy of Long Island in the 1960s, as a project, it was he who ensured that the car was first returned to its original glory, completing a rebuild and subsequently campaigning the car on in Horseless Carriage Club and 'Friends' tours. In the late 1990s it passed on to noted Connecticut based collector Richard King, a second generation collector with a particular passion for pre-war sports cars and a penchant for the best in brass. By this time its 30 plus year old restoration had aged somewhat, and a decision was made to comprehensively refresh the car. The work was entrusted to two experts in their respected fields, John Fleck handled the mechanicals, while Stu Laidlaw, who is known for his fine eye on the cosmetics of these cars, carried out the refurbishment of the bodywork and paint.
Completed in 2004, and being in such excellent order, Mr. King elected to show it at the 2004 edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where annually some of finest restorations of pre-1914 cars debut. In a competitive category, the car took a well-earned 2nd in Class. Mr. King also recalls using the car for brass tours until 2007 when it was sold into the ownership of the Longfield family in Toronto. While in their hands the Locomobile was shown at the 2010 Meadowbrook Hall Concours, taking a Class Win. The Longfields would retain the car for seven years before it returned into US ownership, joining the current collection in 2018.
In this ownership the car has continued to be enjoyed, being toured and shown at appropriate events, its restoration, thanks to careful maintenance stands up extremely well with immaculate paintwork and highly polished beautiful brass accessories and trim.
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