Eligible for HCCA events and the Audrain Veteran Car Tour
1905 Cadillac Model C/F Detachable Rear Entrance Tonneau

98.18ci Horizontal Single-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor, 9bhp
2-Speed Planetary Transmission
Solid Front Axle with Transverse Leaf Spring – Live Rear Axle
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes

* Eligible for HCCA events and the Audrain Veteran Car Tour
* A quality early automobile that you would associate with the brand
* Restored in the 1980s to its current configuration
* Multi-purpose example that can be either a Roadster or Rear Entry Tonneau


THE EARLY CADILLAC

Founded by Henry Leland and Robert Faulconer, the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Detroit completed its first car in October 1902, the firm's superior manufacturing technology - precision gear cutting was Leland and Faulconer's first specialty - soon establishing it as the foremost builder of quality cars in the USA. In 1901, Olds Motor Works contracted for the supply of Leland-built engines and, when unforeseen circumstances frustrated the plan, Leland and Faulconer formed their own company using funds supplied by two of Henry Ford's ex-backers. An exemplary performer by the standards of the day, the Cadillac's single-cylinder engine - known as 'Little Hercules' - was mounted horizontally on the left beneath the front seat and drove via a conventional two-speeds-plus-reverse planetary transmission and center chain drive to the rear axle. That first 1903 curved-dash Cadillac was re-designated as the Model A after the Model B's introduction for 1904, the B being a more expensive version with box-shaped 'bonnet', pressed-steel frame, I-beam front axle and single transverse front spring. At first Leland & Faulconer supplied only engines, transmissions and steering mechanisms for the Cadillac, before taking responsibility for its entire construction in 1905.

Coachwork design was quickly evolving, and the rear entrance tonneau was soon out dated as Cadillac and others sought to make the rear passenger access more accommodating. For this reason 1905 cars no longer had the provision of the detachable rear part of the bodywork as this wasn't practical with a door on either side of the body.

Priced at $750 to $850, the Model C generally matched the specifications of the other single-cylinder Cadillac offerings, but was a mid-year offering that featured the updated Model F hood and was described by Cadillac as "an accommodation to customers who want a detachable tonneau."


THE CAR OFFERED

According to Cadillac build records and based on the engine number, this 1905 Cadillac was delivered new as a Model F Touring. Finished in Green, it was delivered new to Cook & Stoddard Company in Washington, DC. Cook & Stoddard was the premier Cadillac dealership for politicians, DC-area businessmen, and anyone else looking to be someone in a town where being someone meant something.

The interim history of this Cadillac is not, as of yet, know. By at least 1981, it had entered the collection of Dr. H. Bartholomew Cox of Fort Washington, Maryland. A prolific collector, Dr. Cox was able to help recover 143 binders of unique documents of Thomas Edison's that had been stolen from a federal historical site. His collection focused on books and manuscripts with the capstone being a signature from every individual to have signed the Declaration of Independence—including that of Button Gwinnett. He later expanded his collection to presidential memorabilia and more. Cars were always part of his boundless passions, with this Cadillac joining several others in his collection including a 1910 model that was a high school graduation present.

Dr. Cox is understood to have restored this Cadillac between 1982 and 1984, with an album of photos on file documenting the restoration work. According to marque experts, the car likely started life as a Model F but at some point, the body was either refitted or modified into the current configuration of a Roadster with a detachable Rear Entry Tonneau – a feature unique to the Model C. In 1986, Dr. Cox would sell his Caddy on Christmas eve to a collector in Oslo, Norway. The Caddy would remain in Norway for the next near four score of years before being acquired by the current owner. Most recently the Cadillac has been sent to early car specialist Mark Herman of M.S. Herman & Company for mechanical recommissioning.

While a 1905 Cadillac will not enable entry to the most popular event for early cars, they are nonetheless incredibly sturdy, reliable automobiles that are ideal for the tours orientated to include slightly later examples. In the UK, those include the Singles and Twins events, and the aptly named Creepy Crawly, here in the US the HCCA provides for them well in addition to the recently run Audrain Veteran Car Tour.