LOT 570

1920 Essex Model A Tourer Registration no. SX 801 Chassis no. A35600 Engine no. 86869

Estimate: £10,000 - £15,000

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Lot 570

1920 Essex Model A Tourer

The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|2 September 2023, 14:30 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum

1920 Essex Model A Tourer
Registration no. SX 801
Chassis no. A35600
Engine no. 86869

• Dating from the second year of Essex production
• Rare survivor of a landmark American automobile
• Restored and improved over the years
• Overall concours winner at the Monmouthshire Classic & Vintage Show in July 2023

Introduced as a lower-priced companion to the parent Hudson marque in 1919, the first Essex was powered by a four-cylinder, inlet-over-exhaust engine displacing 180 cubic inches (2.9 litres) and producing a class-leading 55bhp. The name soon became synonymous with both high performance and reliability when an Essex averaged over 60mph for 50 hours in December 1919, a stunt which the company followed up by a successful four-car transcontinental trek in 1920. Travelling from San Francisco to New York City, the fastest of the quartet completed its journey in 4 days, 14 hours and 43 minutes.

The company pioneered low-cost closed coachwork in the United States, its two-seater sedan - the cheapest closed car in the USA - being only slightly more expensive than the tourer in 1922 and marginally cheaper by 1925. The Essex was a hit with the buying public. Essex's big news for 1924 was the switch from four to six cylinders, and from then onwards all its models would be sixes.

Dating from the second year of production, this four-cylinder Essex Tourer was formerly owned by an 80-year-old gentleman in Powys who sold it to the current owner. The car has been restored and had various improvements made to it over the years, and comes with a large supporting history file of bills, etc. The Essex was raced at Prescott in 2006 (photographs on file) and was the overall concours winner at the Monmouthshire Classic & Vintage Show in July 2023.

Known to its owner as 'Mable', the Essex is said to need attention like any vintage car but once warmed up runs like a dream; the paintwork is reported as original, needing a regular wash and wax to keep it protected. A rare survivor of a landmark American automobile dating from the early Vintage era, this delightful Essex Tourer deserves a good home with a loving and enthusiastic new owner. Included in the sale is a handbook, parts book, history books and a box of spare parts.

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