Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 87 ¤
1903 Cameron Runabout
Sold for US$50,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 87¤
1903 Cameron Runabout
1903 Cameron Runabout
47.2ci Air-Cooled Vertical Single Cylinder
Float Feed Carburetor, Overhead Exhaust Valve, Atmospheric Intake Valve
6bhp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission, Torque Tube Shaft Drive
Live Axles, Semi-Elliptical Front, Full Elliptical Rear Springs
Mechanical Transmission Brake
* Restored and maintained for decades
* Documented by its original builder
* Many advanced features like lefthand steering, torque tube drive, column-mounted gear selector, overhead exhaust valve
* Brighton Run eligibility supported by its original builder's statement
THE CAMERON
Everett Cameron and his brother Forrest began producing steam powered automobiles in the late nineteenth century in Massachusetts but soon concluded internal combustion offered better prospects. Gasoline vehicle production began in 1903 at the James W. Brown Company in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. These early Camerons were advanced for their time, with wheel steering, a column-mounted gearshift for the 2-speed planetary transmission and torque tube drive to the rear axle. The steering wheel, unusually for the time, was located on the left side.
The air-cooled single cylinder engines were located vertically under the hood rather than horizontally under the floor or seat as was common at the time. The engines had a single pushrod operated overhead exhaust valve with an atmospherically operated intake valve at the side. A fan provided extra cooling, and they were noted for fully enclosed lubrication without the common drip oilers or multiple grease cups.
A 1903 Cameron was the first internal combustion automobile to complete the "Climb to the Clouds" at Mt. Washington, New Hampshire without stopping, winning the Light Car class. Production in 1903 was 223 units. By comparison in 1903 Ford built only 670 of its 2-cylinder 8 horsepower Model A Runabouts.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1903 Cameron was acquired by the Harrah Automobile Foundation in 1983 from D.D. Colee in Phoenix, Arizona in restored condition, fully operational and running. It has 28x2½ white rubber tires on chrome spoke wire wheels and brass brightwork. It is finished in maroon with black accents and has black leather upholstery on its two seats. There is no top, windshield or lighting and, according to Mr. Colee, the fenders have been replaced.
Considering the age of the restoration and length of time on display the Cameron is in remarkably good mechanical and cosmetic condition.
Sequestered in the pages of its documentation file are two remarkable documents written to Mr. Colee in 1958 by the Cameron's inventor Everett Cameron, on the letterhead of his Reamstown Products Company in Reamstown, Pennsylvania. In them he not only confirms this as a 1903 but also outlines the model's history and specifications. He writes proudly of the Cameron's advanced features such as torque tube shaft drive, lefthand steering, overhead valve, spur gear differential, self-contained oiling system, float feed carburetor and steering column gear selector.
Everett Cameron notes, proudly and justifiably, in his own handwriting that it is "unreal to find all of this in one machine in 1903."
Harrah's had another Cameron, a 1904 single cylinder runabout, in its collection when this 1903 was acquired. It was sold in the 1984 Harrah's auction for $25,000.
This is almost certainly the earliest Cameron in existence. Taken with its many advanced features that foretold where automobile design and function would go during its rapid development in the early twentieth century, is an important milestone. With its builder's personal documentation, it is even more significant and deserves serious attention from everyone who appreciates early automobiles' design and development.
It also is incontrovertibly dated as an early 1903 model making its acceptance by the Veteran Car Club for the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run a virtual certainty.
Saleroom notices
Please note, this vehicle is chassis no. 19.
Additional information
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