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LOT 802 ¤

c.1910 Reading Standard 3-Wheeler Engine no. 1094

Sold for US$14,950 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 802¤

c.1910 Reading Standard 3-Wheeler

The Robert Richardson Collection|21 September 2025, 16:00 PDT|Los Angeles

c.1910 Reading Standard 3-Wheeler
Engine no. 1094


*Purchased from the E.J. Cole Collection
*Formerly owned by J. Lucas of Ohio
*Beautifully restored
*Extremely rare
*Light delivery work or concours show – your choice



THE MOTORCYCLE OFFERED

"Built and Tested in the Mountains" boasted the little pioneer motorcycle manufacturer from Pennsylvania. Reading Standard's history began in 1896 as a manufacturer of bicycles, but like many, the lure of manufacturing motorcycles was too strong to resist. In 1903, Reading Standard offered a basic motorcycle based on the popular Thor motor and parts offered by the same.

By 1906, Reading Standard was producing its own complete motorcycles and the following year, unveiled their signature engine, the side valve as designed by Charles Gustafson, the first in America. Gustafson went on to Indian in 1909 and designed the Indian Powerplus, a design concept that ran until Indian's demise in 1953. At this period in time, Reading Standard was out producing both Harley-Davidson and Indian with racing success that included conquering Pikes Peak, the first motorcycle to do so, and on a stock machine.

Model year 1906 brought the debut of the company's three-wheeler, a versatile design that could be configured with seats for passengers or utility boxes for delivery purposes.

This c.1910 3-wheeler is offered in exemplary condition, the front delivery box was added by the seller and configured as a delivery machine for a storied Chicago florist. Formerly part of the famed E.J. Cole collection, Cole purchased the machine from J. Lucas of Ohio in 1994, before being acquired by the seller. This lovingly restored, rare machine is bound to provide a talking point to any discerning collection.

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Auction Viewings

  • 19 September 2025, 13:00 - 19:00 PDT
  • 20 September 2025, 09:00 - 18:00 PDT
  • 21 September 2025, 09:00 - 18:00 PDT
  • 21 September 2025, 09:00 - 18:00 PDT

Lot symbols

¤No Reserve
Unless indicated by the ¤ symbol next to the lot number (or bearing an explicit statement such as "No Reserve" or "Without Reserve"), which denotes no reserve, all lots in the catalog are subject to a reserve. The reserve is the minimum hammer price that the seller is willing to accept for a lot. This amount is confidential and does not exceed the low estimate value.

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