1915 Crane-Simplex Model 5 Sport Berline

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 serving 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.