1920 Revere Model A Touring

In early 1917, the ReVere Motor Car Corporation announced it was preparing to manufacture cars in Logansport, Indiana. They intended to use a four-cylinder Duesenberg engine. By 1918, they were better organized and producing automobiles. Production would continue until 1926.

The individuals responsible for ReVere were Gil Anderson and Tom Mooney, well-known racing drivers. Anderson drove for Stutz and Mooney drove a Premier. Adolph Monsen, whose resume included building cars under his own name in Chicago, was also part of the team.

The name 'ReVere' was chosen after Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere. The cars were well-built and a strong performers, yet production remained low. By 1922, ReVere had produced just 165 cars. One of the early customers was Alfonso XIII, King of Spain.

Receivership soon followed after a stock manipulation scheme. The company received support from new investors and a former ReVere executive, yet the company was finally liquidated in 1926.

In 1920, ReVere produced just 43 vehicles. This Touring car is a rare vehicle riding on a 131-inch wheelbase and powered by a Duesenberg 'walking beam' four-cylinder engine. There is a Cotal electric pre-selector gearbox and rear-wheel drum brakes. The car was saved from WWII scrap drives by Barney Pollard, a noted Michigan collector. The car would remain with his family collection until just prior to early 2005. At that time, the car entered another private collection. The car is a low-mileage example that was completely restored during the 1980s.

It is believed that there are about seven examples that remain in modern times. Just four of those are Duesenberg-powered. It is well equipped with dual side-mounted spares, wind wings, a Moto-Meter, and a rear-mounted trunk. The dashboard includes a speedometer, clock, oil pressure gauge, and an ammeter. The coachwork on the vehicle is not known.

The body sides roll inward, creating a sporting look reminiscent of European torpedo phaetons. The close-coupled, four-passenger body rides on a long 131-inch chassis giving it a sporty persona. There are no running boards; instead, there are cast-aluminum step plates.

The 'walking beam' design of the Duesenberg engine features long rocker arms running up the intake side of the block and riding on the camshaft at their lower end. The actuating horizontal valves (two per cylinder) form the upper end. This design provided great throttle response while remaining tractable at lower speeds.

In 2010, this rare vehicle was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $80,000-$100,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $137,500 including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010