LOT 63
1910 Atlas Model H 60 hp Tourer Chassis no. 1084H
Sold for US$179,200 inc. premium
Lot 63
The ex-Harrah's Auto Collection, William Lassiter
1910 Atlas Model H 60 hp Tourer
1910 Atlas Model H 60 hp Tourer
1910 Atlas Model H 60 hp Tourer
Chassis no. 1084H
Chassis no. 1084H
6,435cc (approximate) Four-Cylinder, Two-Cycle Engine
Single side-draft carburetor
60hp rating
Three-speed Brown and Lipe Transmission
Rigid axles, Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
*Sole survivor of a legendary and innovative company
*Meticulous Harrah's Auto Collection "Gold Star" restoration
*One of the largest two-cycle, gasoline motorcars in existence
*Tremendous performance potential
THE ATLAS
Despite its Springfield, Massachusetts construction Atlas has its beginnings in San Francisco, California. The Sunset Automobile Company began producing an innovative twin-cylinder, two-cycle car which produced an impressive 22hp - comparable to most four-cylinders of the time. Because of the two-cycle design it had no poppet valves, cam shafts or timing gears, ensuring quiet and smooth operation. The real benefit of the two-cycle design was the fact that it has twice as many power strokes per revolution, and two-cycle engines typically produce about fifty percent more power for their size and weight compared to an equivalent four-cycle design.
The clever design concept of the Sunset engine was that it was essentially two single-cylinder engines on a shared crankshaft. By incorporating the valving into the crankshaft and crankcase the engine was simple and had few moving parts. Unlike smaller two-cycle designs, Atlas engines had wet sumps and did not use a fuel-oil mixture, thus avoiding the smoke that went along with that fuel. The design was efficient to manufacture and simple to service, a real potential selling point to commercial entities operating fleets.
The Knox Company approached Sunset Automobile in 1905 for acquisition. Knox was intrigued by the technological potential of the Sunset design, recognizing the potential that the simplified engine design had in the commercial market for taxis and trucks. Initially rebuffed, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 made Atlas managers change their minds. Knox acquired the assets and relocated the company to the other side of the country – Springfield, Massachusetts.
Knox immediately rebranded Sunset Automobile with a bit more masculine title: Atlas, the mythic titan who carries the heavens on his back. While initially producing the basic two-cylinder design aiming at the lucrative taxi and commercial markets, Knox engineers began developing the design in larger three- and four-cylinder configurations for the luxury, high-performance market. Because of the modular design, the larger engines were relatively simple to develop. The largest, rated at a thumping 60hp featured an inline-four design of a massive 5" stroke by 5" bore design - huge by two-cycle gasoline standards. Given the inherent performance benefits of the two-cycle designs - executing one on this scale was quite a statement.
The Atlas cars were always high-quality high-end products. They featured excellent engineering and used parts from some of the finest suppliers of the day Including Atwater-Kent high-tension ignitions and Brown and Lipe transmissions.
THE CAR OFFERED
Harrah's Auto Collection scouts discovered this 60hp Atlas Tourer in Colorado in 1964 and was described as a totally original and complete car. Once in Harrah's possession it recognized for its importance and subject to one of their "Gold Star" restorations. The limited number of Harrah cars given these high-level restorations are praised for their quality, authenticity, and most notably for how well they age. Tastefully finished in deep brown and aubergine, the colors play beautifully against nickel plated bright work. The overall look reflects the quality and handsome styling of this rare marque.
Sold during the Harrah dispersal period in the 1980s, the Atlas would join William Lassiter's noted collection in 1987. Lassiter, an avid brass era touring enthusiast, would keep the car until the auction of his collection in 1999. It last resided in the collection of Peter Ministrelli at the time of George Holman's acquisition in 2007.
For the last 15 years, Mr. Holman has generously lent the Atlas to the Springfield Museum, which is dedicated to the rich automotive and industrial history of Springfield, Massachusetts - the birthplace of the American gasoline automobile. The Atlas has been a prominent exhibit representing the Golden era of Springfield automotive production.
Since Harrah's ownership the Knox has been set up for and used regularly in brass era car tours, with updates including a discreet electric self-starting system as well as some modern electrical lighting for safe road touring. The Atlas is offered with an extensive file including numerous original pieces of Atlas literature.
The big and mightily impressive 60 hp Atlas presents beautifully today and would make an exciting and unusual entry in any brass car event. With its huge two-cycle engine, it has the potential to punch well above its weight.
Additional information
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