Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 523
1905/6 Cadillac Model F Touring Engine no. 5033 (see text)
Sold for US$54,880 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 523
1905/6 Cadillac Model F Touring
1905/6 Cadillac Model F Touring
Engine no. 5033 (see text)
Engine no. 5033 (see text)
98.18ci Horizontal Single-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor, 9hp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Solid Front Axle with Transverse Leaf Spring – Live Rear Axle
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
* Eligible for the Audrain Veteran Car Tour
* A quality early automobile that you would associate with the brand
* Practical side entry bodywork
THE EARLY CADILLAC
Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit completed its first car in October 1902, the firm's superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer's first speciality - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA. In 1901, Olds Motor Works contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Ford's ex-backers. An exemplary performer by the standards of the day, the Cadillac's single-cylinder engine - known as 'Little Hercules' - was mounted horizontally on the left beneath the front seat and drove via a conventional two-speeds-plus-reverse planetary transmission and center chain drive to the rear axle. That first 1903 curved-dash Cadillac was re-designated as the Model A after the Model B's introduction for 1904, the B being a more expensive version with box-shaped 'bonnet', pressed-steel frame, I-beam front axle and single transverse front spring. At first Leland & Faulconer supplied only engines, transmissions and steering mechanisms for the Cadillac, before taking responsibility for its entire construction in 1905.
Coachwork design was quickly evolving, and the rear entrance tonneau was soon out dated as Cadillac and others sought to make the rear passenger access more accommodating. For this reason 1905 cars no longer had the provision of the detachable rear part of the bodywork as this wasn't practical with a door on either side of the body.
Priced at $950, the Model F generally matched the specifications of the other single cylinder Cadillac offerings, but on a slightly longer (extra 2 inches) wheelbase. As well as a touring car format, the F could be bought as a delivery vehicle.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
From notes on file, we know that until 2009, the car was in the ownership of Joseph Alckness of Royersford, Pennsylvania, from whom the current owners acquired the car.
One of three Cadillacs in the collection, this post-Veteran example appears to date from the period of 1905 or 1906, having attributes specific to both years of production. Its frontal aspect is the more rounded mock 'hood' of the 1906 cars. On the rear of the engine it is stamped with number 5033, which would sit in the 1905 sequence, but the font of this is not consistent with other known examples. Its coachwork is clearly old/original, as is the chassis and running gear, so it seems likely that this is either a car that received some updates during its career or that was updated when restored. In any event, it does seem to be all Cadillac and certainly of this period.
When inspected for cataloguing it was clear that the Cadillac has at some point received a refurbishment of its bodywork with new paint in sky blue coloring, black wings and black leather button back interior. The chassis also has been repainted in the period 'straw' color popular for visibility during maintenance. It does not appear that there has ever been provision for any top mechanism. It is not known when the Cadillac was last run, however there are countless owners of this period of manufacture who would no doubt be happy to guide a successful purchaser on returning it to the road, and for ongoing maintenance and use.
While a 1905 Cadillac will not enable entry to the most popular event for early cars, they are nonetheless incredibly sturdy, reliable automobiles that are ideal for the tours orientated to include slightly later examples. In the UK, those include the Singles and Twins events, and the aptly named Creepy Crawly, here in the US the HCCA provides for them well, and now here in Newport one can exercise their cars each spring on the Veteran Car Tour.
Single Carburetor, 9hp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Solid Front Axle with Transverse Leaf Spring – Live Rear Axle
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
* Eligible for the Audrain Veteran Car Tour
* A quality early automobile that you would associate with the brand
* Practical side entry bodywork
THE EARLY CADILLAC
Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit completed its first car in October 1902, the firm's superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer's first speciality - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA. In 1901, Olds Motor Works contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Ford's ex-backers. An exemplary performer by the standards of the day, the Cadillac's single-cylinder engine - known as 'Little Hercules' - was mounted horizontally on the left beneath the front seat and drove via a conventional two-speeds-plus-reverse planetary transmission and center chain drive to the rear axle. That first 1903 curved-dash Cadillac was re-designated as the Model A after the Model B's introduction for 1904, the B being a more expensive version with box-shaped 'bonnet', pressed-steel frame, I-beam front axle and single transverse front spring. At first Leland & Faulconer supplied only engines, transmissions and steering mechanisms for the Cadillac, before taking responsibility for its entire construction in 1905.
Coachwork design was quickly evolving, and the rear entrance tonneau was soon out dated as Cadillac and others sought to make the rear passenger access more accommodating. For this reason 1905 cars no longer had the provision of the detachable rear part of the bodywork as this wasn't practical with a door on either side of the body.
Priced at $950, the Model F generally matched the specifications of the other single cylinder Cadillac offerings, but on a slightly longer (extra 2 inches) wheelbase. As well as a touring car format, the F could be bought as a delivery vehicle.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
From notes on file, we know that until 2009, the car was in the ownership of Joseph Alckness of Royersford, Pennsylvania, from whom the current owners acquired the car.
One of three Cadillacs in the collection, this post-Veteran example appears to date from the period of 1905 or 1906, having attributes specific to both years of production. Its frontal aspect is the more rounded mock 'hood' of the 1906 cars. On the rear of the engine it is stamped with number 5033, which would sit in the 1905 sequence, but the font of this is not consistent with other known examples. Its coachwork is clearly old/original, as is the chassis and running gear, so it seems likely that this is either a car that received some updates during its career or that was updated when restored. In any event, it does seem to be all Cadillac and certainly of this period.
When inspected for cataloguing it was clear that the Cadillac has at some point received a refurbishment of its bodywork with new paint in sky blue coloring, black wings and black leather button back interior. The chassis also has been repainted in the period 'straw' color popular for visibility during maintenance. It does not appear that there has ever been provision for any top mechanism. It is not known when the Cadillac was last run, however there are countless owners of this period of manufacture who would no doubt be happy to guide a successful purchaser on returning it to the road, and for ongoing maintenance and use.
While a 1905 Cadillac will not enable entry to the most popular event for early cars, they are nonetheless incredibly sturdy, reliable automobiles that are ideal for the tours orientated to include slightly later examples. In the UK, those include the Singles and Twins events, and the aptly named Creepy Crawly, here in the US the HCCA provides for them well, and now here in Newport one can exercise their cars each spring on the Veteran Car Tour.
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