Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 42 ¤
1916 White Model 45 G.E.D. Touring Coachwork by Rubay Chassis no. 42142 Engine no. GM321
Sold for US$21,280 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 42¤
From the Minden Automotive Museum
1916 White Model 45 G.E.D. Touring
1916 White Model 45 G.E.D. Touring
1916 White Model 45 G.E.D. Touring
Coachwork by Rubay
Chassis no. 42142
Engine no. GM321
Coachwork by Rubay
Chassis no. 42142
Engine no. GM321
361.7ci L-Head Four-Cylinder Engine
Single carburetor
45bhp [28.9 NACC hp]
Four-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Semi-Elliptical Front and Three Quarter-Elliptical Rear Springs
Rear Wheel Mechanical Drum Brakes
* Largely original and as acquired in 1981
* Big four-cylinder 45hp engine
* Refined Leon Rubay Co. touring coachwork with jump seats
* Built to very high standards of design and materials
THE WHITE MODEL 45 G.E.D.
Famous for its steam powered automobiles, White soon recognized the public's acceptance of and preference for gasoline powered internal combustion cars. It built its first gas car in 1910 and by 1912 had completely phased out steam car production. To ease entry into a new technology White licensed an engine design from the French Delahaye company. White's engines were large and powerful; to White, an entry level vehicle cost $2,000, had 30 brake horsepower and was built from the highest quality materials to the highest standards.
White offered a 60hp six-cylinder for a time, but the vast majority of its production was 30 and 45 horsepower fours carrying prestige coachwork. At the same time White was establishing a quality truck business that would carry on after automobile production ceased in 1918.
["G.E.D." is not an acronym but rather White's internal model designation. The G is uniformly applied to all White's gasoline cars. The other letters refer to specific models and versions.]
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1916 White Model 45 G.E.D. Touring was acquired for the Minden Automotive Museum in 1981 from Thomas W. Barrett III ("The Greatest Name in Classic Cars"). Later correspondence with J.K. Gruver in Phoenix, Arizona shows it to have been restored by Gruver prior to it (and a Winton) being sold to Barrett. In Gruver's letter he said, "The reason for me trading the cars off was because I am 80 years old and my wife wanted a closed car." She must have been a very understanding and sympathetic wife.
Gruver supplied the correct White carburetor to the MAM (for $10 postage and the incorrect carburetor on it at the time it was sold) about six months later.
The 362 cubic inch T-head four powered White is equipped with a Warner speedometer, four-speed transmission, auxiliary air compressor, rear-mounted spare, jump seats, Moto Meter and varnished wood spoke wheels with 37x5 tires. An intriguing feature are the rear hinged doors. They are furnished with standoff latches that allow them to be partially opened into the wind for enhanced ventilation.
The coachwork itself was designed and built by Leon Rubay Co. in Cleveland. Rubay had been employed by Rothschild & Co. in New York. Walter White, V.P. of White Motors, persuaded Rubay to come to Cleveland where White was located to design and build bodies for White. Rubay designs, developed by Frederick C. Walter previously of Holbrook, and later Amos Northrup and a young Tom Hibbard, were well received and consistent with the motif of White's Delahaye-licensed engines.
This White has been in the Minden Automotive Museum for over 40 years and has not been driven in much of that time. The cooling system has been drained and the fuel system disconnected and drained. Its condition is much like it was when it was acquired from Tom Barrett in light yellow with black fenders, black leather upholstery and black cloth top.
It exhibits the quality design, materials, methods and construction of White automobiles coupled with the quality and sensitivity of its Rubay coachwork. It is largely an original car and is sufficiently complete to bring it to unrestored/largely original running condition for display and touring enjoyment before undertaking a complete restoration.
Saleroom notices
Title in transit.
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