Purchased new by Frederick T. Frelinghuysen known history from new Ex- Albert Hood, Mahlon Patton, Manny Souza
1914 Simplex 50hp Tourer

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*One off the most tour proven and well documented Simplex cars
*Fresh award-winning restoration and with full touring preparation
*Matching numbers, dual-chain drive
*Original custom coachwork
*Performance surpassing most cars made decades later

590ci T-Head 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Updraft Carburetor
50 horsepower ALAM Rated
4-Speed Transaxle with Final-Drive by Dual Chains
Inboard Differential Mounted Drum Brakes and Rear Axle Drum Brakes

THE 50HP SIMPLEX

The storied Simplex was one of America's most revered brands of its era and set the benchmark for big-capacity, high-performance cars. They were the favored brand of the sportsman wealthy enough to afford one. Taking the best formula of the day the Mercedes-Simplex design, and essentially scaling the engine capacity nearly 50%. Placing this enormous power plant into a dual-chain drive chassis was a formula that would appease the most discerning enthusiast craving speed and power at any price. Today the Simplex maintains its standing as one the most desired and difficult to acquire cars of its era. Never has there been a period in this hobby where this marque wasn't top on any collectors list. A look at the list of collector owners over the years and it is a veritable who's who of the hobby: Briggs Cunningham, Henry Austin Clarke, Smith Hempstone Oliver, George Waterman, Miles Collier, and Otis Chandler, to name just a few. Not surprisingly it is Simplex that holds the world record for the most valuable American car of its era ever sold. Few cars offer the satisfaction of effortlessly thundering down the road with what feels like limitless power and heaps of charisma. For a collector looking for one car that epitomizes the excitement and thrill of this special era, a 50hp chain-drive Simplex checks all the boxes and is not an experience that can be duplicated with a lesser car.

The Smith and Mabley Company's beginnings were in the importation of high-end European automobiles. S&M imported Panhard, Renault, Mors and most importantly Mercedes. S&M was the exclusive importer of Mercedes for the US market.

After a few years of importing the superb Mercedes products, S&M developed their own Mercedes-like car but designed with uniquely American dimensions. S&M based much of the design around the Mercedes Simplex four-cylinder design — the world's finest automobile at the time. In 1908 Smith & Mabley would become the Simplex Automobile Company and focus exclusively on enormous displacement sporting cars. To power the Simplex, an enlarged Mercedes type T-head engine of 597ci was designed. Simplex deviated from Mercedes by cleverly matching the bore and stroke at 5.75" to give the engine the combination of brute power at a surprisingly wide RPM range. The cross flow, T-head design allowed Simplex to fit equally massive valves to aid the voluminous engine flow. Ignition was by Bosch twin-spark dual-magneto and carburetion by a Mercedes-type unit by Newcomb. The huge cylinders were mated to a large aluminum crankcase and lubrication was a total loss with copious amounts of fresh oil supplied to the main bearings. S&M used the established high performance chassis configuration of midship mounted transaxle feeding power to the rear wheels through dual chains. This design reduced the cars unsprung weight and allowed for easy final-drive gear ratio changes. Placing the transaxle and brake weight more forward improved the cars balance and handling. Additionally, this design allowed for separate braking systems inboard at the transaxle as well as in the rear wheel drums helping keep the independent systems cool. This configuration, since its development by Panhard et Levassor, had become almost universally adopted for racing in this period.

The new 50hp Simplex was introduced to the public and, despite its breathtaking price tag of $5,750, immediately found favor with sporting car enthusiasts. Unlike some of Simplex's competition, the enormous engine was not designed to lug around heavy coachwork as this car was designed from the ground up for driving performance. Simplex quickly cemented their reputation with success in motorsports. Unlike many builders, Simplex competed with their standard production cars. Winning the Brighton Beach 24 Hours and victories at Lowell and Fairmont all bolstered the Simplex reputation. This was a race car for the street and few cars in the world could rival them for their shear performance.

Simplex would continue to improve the mechanical design of their cars. For 1913, a major change in engine design was introduced by incorporating features that proved successful in the 38hp Simplex model. A lengthened stroke and improved cylinders made the engine more modern and improved the already industry leading low-end power. Improvements to the drive line eliminated stress on the aluminum transmission case and added a separate differential case for the chain drive jack shafts and inboard brakes. These changes greatly reduced issues that plagued the earlier models. Fortunately, these subtle changes were made while keeping the Simplex trademark dual-chain drive rear end.

For 1913, the improved Simplex, like its European counterparts, was primarily offered only as a chassis to be fitted out by the clients coach builder of choice. Simplex maintained a close association with a handful of the finest American builders. Quinby, Demarest, Healey and, most notably, Holbrook were the usual choices. Simplex, to further show their association with expensive European marques, abstained from the usual New York Auto Show and, instead, displayed at the Importers' Auto Salon, held in the Hotel Astor.

THE CAR OFFERED

Few American cars of this era have as well documented ownership chain as this Simplex, with ownership records of the car's earliest years through a variety of prominent owners in collector times. A comprehensive report, prepared by Kelly Williams, that documents the car's full history in excellent detail is included with the car's excellent history file.

At 27 years old, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen V ordered this Simplex in early 1914. The prominent Manhattan resident and grandson of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen III, the United States Secretary of State for President Chester Arthur, young Frederick was a keen motoring enthusiast adding the Simplex to his Park Avenue garage that included a T-head Mercer, a 40hp National, a Lancia, and a SGV—he was exactly the type of sportsman to which Simplex catered. Frelinghuysen commissioned the Holbrook Company of New York to craft a sleek and modern body to adorn the Simplex. Holbrook maintained the finest reputation in craftsmanship and most importantly superb styling. The resulting custom body was sleek and reflected modern design trends in high end sporty, sleek enveloping bodies. The body featured nice touches like the integrated side lamps faired into the low sleek cowl conveying the sporty nature of Simplex in a clean un-cluttered shape.

It is unclear how long Frelinghuysen owned his prized Simplex—1916 is the last published record but the car, s/n 1458, reemerges in 1951 in the hands of Wyckoff, New Jersey collector Al Hood Jr - only 27 miles from its original Park Avenue garage. In 1951 Hood advertised the car for sale, being partially restored, but decided to keep the car and finish the restoration. By 1952 the car was finished and being shown at vintage car events. Newspaper stories from 1952 quote Al as saying the car had belonged to "Diamond" Jim Brady, which seem spurious given Brady's death during Frelinghuysen's ownership. Hood would ultimately sell the car in 1953 to noted industrialist, and later President of the Antique Automobile Club of America, Mahlon Patton. Patton would further improve the restoration done by Hood. Photos in 1953-54 show the Simplex looking in top form with polished paint and new stripe work. The car would become the pride of Patton's collection and see frequent use during his ownership. In 1957 Mahlon's Simplex completed the 435 mile Glidden Tour Revival. In 1961, while serving as AACA President, Mahlon drove his Simplex 700 miles round trip to participate in an event in Ohio. Later that year he led another Glidden Tour in his beloved Simplex. In 1965, he lent the Simplex to an English friend, Frank Davis, who participated in the Tour that year. The 1969 Glidden Tour totaled 1100 miles in the Simplex — now earning a reputation as one of the most reliable and best performing tour cars out there. To mark his 20-year anniversary of owning the Simplex, he drove over 1600 miles to participate in the 1973 Glidden Tour. That year, Henry Austin Clark judged the car the finest Simplex on the Tour. The Simplex continued to be a regular tour car until Patton finally sold the car on to Manny Souza of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Manny quickly kept up the touring tradition and had the car on the 1985 Glidden Tour. The car would reside in Manny's superb collection of Brass Era automobiles till being acquired by the current owner in 2018.

Immediately after acquisition the Simplex was entrusted to marque specialist David Staadt's Simplex Garage for an assessment and service plan. Staadt, a prominent Simplex restorer, enjoys an excellent reputation for his high-quality work and ability to get a car sorted for touring. A two-phased restoration plan was devised and a full mechanical rebuild was begun. The engine was completely rebuilt with all moving parts removed, checked for wear and cracking, and replaced as needed. The crankcase, a new replacement (the original numbered case is included with the car), was fitted with fresh bearings. New cylinder castings were fitted as well with new pistons and connecting rods, and the carburetor and magneto were also rebuilt. The radiator was fully serviced and the original Rushmore starter generator was rebuilt and returned to the car. The differential was rebuilt along with the inboard brakes and the multi disc clutch relined. New sprockets were machined and fresh 80 gauge chains fitted.

With the fresh mechanicals the Simplex embarked on yet another Glidden Tour in 2019 completing over 500 miles - and performed spectacularly. After the tour the car went back to Staadt's for the second phase of restoration. Now a full cosmetic restoration was begun now that the mechanical side was in top order. On initial assessment and disassembly, it was found that the body had never been off the chassis. The chassis number 1458 was found stamped in the hood bracket as well as the frame rail. The aluminum body skins and wood framing were found to be in excellent order. Having had several repaints over the years it was now stripped to bare metal and finished to a high standard keeping the dark red livery the car was known for. The cabinetry was refinished and the interior received fresh leather upholstery matching the original design. The brass work was sent to Britten's Brass Work for restoration - known for the finest quality work on lamps and other fine brass parts. Antique Carriage in Nappanee, Indiana handled the painting and trim work. The car includes fresh tonneau cover, top boot, and side curtains.

The Simplex received had a few deviations from original specification, most notably the upgrade to full set of 100mm Rudge-Whitworth wheels and hubs—an expensive period option offered by Simplex in those years. This change looks great on this car and makes any wheel and tire changes a quick and easy procedure. The Newcomb carburetor is included with the car, but a more tunable unit is fitted currently.

The resulting restoration received universal accolades. 2019 VMCCA Horseless Carriage National Award, AACA First Junior and Senior awards (2022, 2023), 2022 Hilton Head Concours Best in Class, and 2023 The Amelia Best in Class. The new owner still has the opportunity to exhibit it at several prominent events as it should be a welcomed entry.

One would be hard pressed to find a more proven, documented, and original 50hp Simplex. A car that has successfully done thousands of tour miles and benefits from a fresh and thorough restoration completed to the highest standard, not only is it presented in full, concours winning cosmetics, it is in turn key mechanical condition and ready to enjoy right away.