1914 Locomobile Model 38 Berline Limousine

Believe it or not, Locomobile was the best-selling car in America - prior to 1902 - when the Curved-Dash Oldsmobile took the lead. The Bridgeport, Connecticut concern produced steam cars, but in 1903, the rights to build a steam car were sold back to the Stanley Brothers. Locomobile took a different path - choosing gasoline for propulsion while concentrating on luxury automobiles. The firm described itself as 'The Uncommon Car' and vowed that its policy was to 'concentrate on a few fine cars, not more than four cars a day.' This spectacular automobile wearing coachwork by Kellner of Paris has resided in the collections of such notables as D. Cameron Peck and Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Carrying a staggering base price of $5,700 in 1914, it is a stunning example of one of America's finest automobiles of the era by an equally pre-eminent manufacturer. The Model 38 was the first car to use an all-metal roof and is one of approximately 300 of this type built over four years....and the only one known to exist today. Its use of compound curves on the aluminum body and the incorporation of a visor into the roof was quite innovative at the time. It is powered by a 44 horsepower 540 cubic-inch T-head 6-cylinder engine which moves the 80-inch tall, 6300 lb car, at a leisurely pace. The crankcase, transmission, differential, and carburetor are all cast in manganese bronze, while the interior features dome and reading lamps by Tiffany Studios. Exterior coach lamps individually comprise no less than 53 parts. By 1920 Locomobile faced financial difficulties only to become a part of Billy Durant's empire in 1922. The company built its final car in 1929.

1914 Locomobile Berline Limousine by Kellner et Ses Fils

The Locomobile Company of America always built some of the finest automobiles. It was considered by many the 'American Rolls-Royce' in standard.

This example with a custom French body by Kellner has a six-cylinder engine and weighs over 5,500 pounds. It is the only known remaining example of the Berline coach style. The interior features silver lamps by Tiffany. It was awarded Best of Show at the Hilton Head Concours.

This is the only Locomobile Berline in the world. It has an all-aluminum body and had an original cost of $7,000. It was the first model produced with an all-metal top, and the use of compound curves on the body, it incorporated the sun visor as part of the roof. It utilized imported fabrics in the interior, with interior lamps by Tiffany.

The Locomobile was a prestigious motorcar in its time. The engine was a 'T' head valve arrangement with an enormous 540 cubic-inch engine. This example has a custom Berline body designed and built by Kellner. This unique body is cast aluminum and was the first car with an all-metal top, incorporating the sun-visor as part of the top. The lavish interior contains tiffany lamps, French silk and embroidery as well as English Broadcloth fabric with French Velvet. This award-winning Locomobile is the only one of this type that has survived and is truly a unique automobile. This award-winning restoration was completed mainly by the talents of its owner in 2006.