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1915 Crane-Simplex Model 5

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Sport Berline
Coachwork: Brewster
Designer: Henry Crane
Chassis Num: 2168
 
Sold for $150,000 at 2007 Bonhams.
This 1915 Crane Simplex Sport Berline by Brewster was originally built for the 1915 New York Auto Show. It was the personal car of Mr. Henry Crane, the designer and builder of the Crane Simplex automobiles.

It was purchased after the show by a wealthy New York socialite and was used by her until the late 1930s.

The car has only 22,000 original miles and still has the original English wood upholstery. Its original cost was $13,800.

This Brewster Sport Berline is equipped with matching luggage, a full array of tools, German silver-cast hardware, a French Cicca Boa Constrictor horn and custom-made lamps.

In the 1980s, this Crane-Simple was discovered in Rhode Island in entirely original condition. The car attracted the attention of Veniero Molari of Turin, Italy who was service as FIVA vice president at the time. The car was then prepared for vintage rallies which included refinishing the paintwork in the original Brewster Green lacquer with purple trim and black fenders. The engine and transmission were carefully rebuilt and the radiator was re-cored. A new set of wheels and rims were fashioned to provide safe and reliable touring.

The car has recently returned to the United States. The car made its concours debut in 2005 at the Amelia Island Concours. It was later shown at the Greenwich Concours.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $150,000 - $200,000. Sadly, the car would leave the auction unsold.

Auction Sales Information
AuctionGooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
Estimated Value:$150,000-$200,000 
Lot was not sold
AuctionBonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia
Estimated Value:$100,000-$140,000 
Lot was not sold
AuctionBonhams - Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia featuring The Frank Cooke Collection Part II
Estimated Value: 
Sale Price$150,000

EventGroup 
Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions1908-1928 
Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceHorseless Carriage - 40+ Horsepower