1910 Franklin Model D Touring

The National Automobile Museum Auction|13 June 2026, 10:00 PDT|Reno, National Automobile Museum

1910 Franklin Model D Touring
Chassis no. 1953D
Engine no. 11416

226.9ci Air-Cooled Overhead Valve Inline Four-Cylinder
Single Updraft Carburetor
28 ALAM hp
Three-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Full Elliptical Leaf Springs
Pedal-Operated Driveshaft and Hand Operated Mechanical Rear Brakes

* Extremely charming brass-era touring car
* Long-time resident of both Harrah's and the NAM
* Cornerstone of early air-cooled technology

THE FRANKLIN MODEL D

Franklin spent a substantial fortune as a percentage of income on engineering, development and research. Combined with a willingness to try new things, Franklin produced many novel engineering developments. Franklin's technical focus and its commitment to air cooling allowed it to look beyond the accepted wisdom of the day and evaluate unconventional ideas.

Chief engineer John Wilkinson's openness to different approaches may have been due to the company's location in Syracuse, New York, removed from the conventional thinking that was increasingly concentrated Mid-West corridor where most other American car makers were based. And while Franklin kept experimenting, it was the last major manufacturer to retain laminated wood chassis frames and full elliptical suspension springs — a reminder that trying new things did not mean discarding old ones that worked.

One of Franklin's more intriguing developments appeared on the Model D. Introduced in 1907, the Model D employed concentric overhead valves — an arrangement that allowed a single combined intake and exhaust port at the center of a hemispherical combustion chamber. Both valves share concentric stems with separate springs, rocker arms and pushrods. The poppet-shaped intake valve can be made nearly as large as the cylinder bore itself. The exhaust valve stem, located concentrically around it, takes an elongated bell form with a shaped port opening into the cylinder head exhaust passage. It is notable that the 227 cubic inch Franklin Model D engine is one of very few oversquare engines (4¼ inch bore, 4-inch stroke) built during the early 20th century.

THE CAR OFFERED

This 1910 Franklin Model D Touring Car was acquired by the Harrah's Automobile Collection and restored in 1971 in the Harrah's shop. It is finished in beautiful Royal Blue coach lined in light blue. The fenders are black, as is the leather upholstery and leatherette top. The artillery wheels are finished in body color and elaborately striped, mounted with 36x4 white tires. The top has a rolled-up weather front for wet or snowy weather.

Equipment includes a Jones speedometer, righthand drive steering wheel, Rubes-style bulb horn, Solar kerosene sidelights, taillight and acetylene headlights with a Prest-o-Light tank.

The round grille conceals, but clearly identifies, the Franklin's reliance upon air cooling and the overall restoration, preservation and presentation of this Franklin are exceptional with only some limited evidence of the restoration's age.

Footnotes

This vehicle is titled with model year 1909.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
Buyers Premium and Charges
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyer's premium.
For MOTORCAR property the premium is 12% of the final bid price.
Collection Notices
LOT COLLECTION DEADLINE: 12pm PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Motor Vehicle:
Uncollected Motor Vehicle Lots following the Collection Deadline will be uplifted and stored by Passport Auto Transport. Uplift and storage shall be at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Motor vehicle removal and storage charges will be charged by Passport Auto Transport according to its standard rates and ultimate destination of the vehicle(s). For applicable charges, please consult with Passport in advance of purchase.
Purchased lots become the buyer's risk once the hammer falls. Storage, collection, and uplift for paid and unpaid lot removal is at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Overseas buyers are strongly advised to make collection arrangements with Bonhams in advance of the auction. Buyers may have an authorised agent collect their purchases according to the collection deadline.
It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that their designated agent has the auction venue details, bill of lading showing where the lot will be transported and proof of the buyer authorization for collection of the lot(s). Bonhams will release the lot only once all payment requirements have been met including payment of taxes and any applicable fees. Buyers and/or their agent are responsible for collecting all available parts, logbooks, title, keys and any other accompanying documents.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Representatives of Bonhams|Cars preferred carriers are available on site to provide shipping quotes and transport information.
Domestic Motorcar Transport:
Passport Auto Transport Contact:
Ed Watts, +1 (417) 588 4921 or mobile +1 (314) 496 6228 [email protected]
International Motorcar and Motorcycle Transport:
Schumacher Cargo Logistics Schumacher Secure
Contact: Warren Barnes, +1 (310) 626 7117
[email protected]
International Motorcar Transport:
CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services)
Contact: Denise Rodriguez, +1 (305) 849 9326
[email protected]
Payment Notices
Payment Deadline: 12pm PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Cashiering Hours:
Saturday, June 13, during the auction
Sunday, June 14, 8:30am to 5:30pm
Monday, June 15, 8:30am to 12pm
Shipping Notices
LOT COLLECTION DEADLINE: 12pm PDT on Monday, June 15, 2026
Motor Vehicle:
Uncollected Motor Vehicle Lots following the Collection Deadline will be uplifted and stored by Passport Auto Transport. Uplift and storage shall be at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Motor vehicle removal and storage charges will be charged by Passport Auto Transport according to its standard rates and ultimate destination of the vehicle(s). For applicable charges, please consult with Passport in advance of purchase.
Purchased lots become the buyer's risk once the hammer falls. Storage, collection, and uplift for paid and unpaid lot removal is at the buyer's sole risk and expense. Overseas buyers are strongly advised to make collection arrangements with Bonhams in advance of the auction. Buyers may have an authorised agent collect their purchases according to the collection deadline.
It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that their designated agent has the auction venue details, bill of lading showing where the lot will be transported and proof of the buyer authorization for collection of the lot(s). Bonhams will release the lot only once all payment requirements have been met including payment of taxes and any applicable fees. Buyers and/or their agent are responsible for collecting all available parts, logbooks, title, keys and any other accompanying documents.
TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS
Representatives of Bonhams|Cars preferred carriers are available on site to provide shipping quotes and transport information.
Domestic Motorcar Transport:
Passport Auto Transport Contact:
Ed Watts, +1 (417) 588 4921 or mobile +1 (314) 496 6228 [email protected]
International Motorcar and Motorcycle Transport:
Schumacher Cargo Logistics Schumacher Secure
Contact: Warren Barnes, +1 (310) 626 7117
[email protected]
International Motorcar Transport:
CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services)
Contact: Denise Rodriguez, +1 (305) 849 9326
[email protected]

- Cars

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Mark Osborne

Global Director of Motorsport

Tel: +1 415 503 3353

[email protected]

Auction Viewings

12 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 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.