LOT 65
1908 Rambler Model 34 Touring Chassis no. X15727
Sold for US$36,960 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 65
From the Clive and Janet Cussler Car Collection of Scottsdale
1908 Rambler Model 34 Touring
1908 Rambler Model 34 Touring
1908 Rambler Model 34 Touring
Chassis no. X15727
Chassis no. X15727
286.3ci 4-Cylinder Inline Engine
32hp single updraft carburetor
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*Important early American brand
*Known to be good performing cars
*Older restoration, recommissioned in this ownership
*Eligible for Brass Tours and shows
THE CAR OFFERED
Thomas Jeffery was a bicycle manufacturer; his Rambler model the second-best-selling cycle in the United States during the 1890s. At the turn of the19th century, Jeffery became interested in the automobile, and built a single-cylinder car in 1897, following that with two cars shown in Chicago and New York. The new cars had front-mounted two-cylinder engines and left-hand drive and received a good reception from show-goers and the press. Although not displayed with a name, the press generally referred to them as 'Ramblers,' the brand with which Jeffery was well known.
In 1901, the Jefferys sold the bicycle business to Colonel Albert Pope's conglomerate, the American Bicycle Company, and went decisively into automobile manufacturing, taking the 1898 car to a new plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Rambler enjoyed excellent sales throughout the decade, placing third in 1905 and 1906. Thomas Jeffery died in 1910. In 1914, to honor his father's memory, Charles Jeffery re-christened the 'Rambler' car with the family name. But in 1915, having narrowly escaped death at the sinking of the Lusitania, Charles chose to retire, selling the company in 1916 to Charles Nash.
This 1908 example of the model 34 arrived in the Cussler Collection in 2018 being acquired from an Auburn Labor Day weekend auction. The car was offered for sale on that day from the Godbey Family Collection where it has resided since 2012, being on museum display in Florida. Prior to this it is understood it had remained in a private collection for more than a quarter of a century.
Believed to be restored during that former custodian's tenure, it shows today with a very tasteful and accurate retrim in button back leather upholstery, with a full-length canopy top, including side screens. Its bright red paintwork, with black moldings and reliefs now shows some age from time and use, as it does under the hood. The well-proportioned bodywork is adorned with the requisite brass accessories, including headlamps, side and taillamps, acetylene generator and brass horn. As acquired it had not been run for many years, but has since been attended to and the individually cast four-cylinder motor is today seen to start with a careful preparation and swing of its starting handle.
Eligible for brass tours offered by clubs such as the VMCCA and HCCA among others, as it leaves this collection the Rambler is ready to provide its next owner with a pleasingly honest example of its marque.
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