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 | | View more photos Limousine Chassis Num: 2111 |
The Stanley brothers had created a successful business in manufacturing photographic plates. When the world was introduced to the motor car, the brothers began to tinker. By the autumn of 1897 they had produced their first motor car, with their automobile business opening in November 1898.
Their cars were shown at the Boston motor show in 1898 but prior to this, John Brisben Walker, publisher of Cosmopolitan magazine, acquired about buying the business. The brothers quickly stated a very high sum of $250,000, which was accepted, to much surprise of the Stanley brothers. The brothers were appointed as General Managers. To aid in the acquisition, Walker took Amzi Lorenzo Barber as partner in this venture. Barber had made a fortune paving America's cities and was known as 'The Asphalt King.' By June of 1899, deliveries of the Locomobiles had begun.
The partnership between Walker and Barber did not last long, and soon the men parted company. Both men went on to establish separate car companies. Barber kept the Locomobile name and moved operations to Massachusetts. He purchased numerous plant sites before finally settling on a plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Production began in early 1901. A year later, over 4,000 Locomobile steam-powered cars had been delivered. Part of the popularity was due to a Locomobile steam-powered racer driven by S.T. Davis Jr. a distance of one mile in just fifteen seconds. Davis Jr., was Barber's son-in-law who had joined the Locomobile company in 1900 as its treasurer. He later became a founder and president of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturer.
In 1903, Davis Jr. took over the company as president, and under his care the companies reputation flourished and given national recognition. This was the same year that the company merged with the Overman Wheel Company. The Overman Wheel Company had been supplying Locomobile with parts and boilers.
It was not long before the Stanley brother's steam-powered car began gaining popularity and providing fierce competition for Locomobile. Locomobile decided to add internal combustion engines beginning in 1903 to their vehicles to diversify the products and to increase sales. By 1905, the Locomobile Company no longer offered a steam powered model and had switched completely to gasoline power.
Locomobile's powerplant was designed by Andrew Lawrence Riker and it would quickly gain a reputation for its durability and power. It was initially a twin-cylinder unit but soon was made into a four-cylinder version featuring automatic inlet valves. As 1905 came into sight, only the T-head four-cylinder models remained.
Locomobile's success in motorsports led them to claim their product was 'Easily the Best Built Car in America.' This claim was backed-up by winning America its first victory in a major international race. In 1908 a Locomobile won the grueling Vanderbilt Cup. The Model I-based number 16 racer was driven by Racer George Robertson. From that day forward, the racer became known as 'Old 16' and instantly became a racing legend.
The Locomobile Type I featured a ladder frame constructed of pressed alloy steel. Artillery wheels created from second-growth, seasoned hickory could be found at all four corners. Power came from the four-cylinder T-head engine which produced 40 horsepower. The engine had cylinders cast-in-pairs and put through rigorous testing before leaving the factory.
This 1908 Locomobile Model 40 Type I Limousine was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $275,000 - $350,000. Though it failed to meet the estimated value, the lot was sold for $209,000 including buyer's premium.
The elegant body rests on a wheelbase that measures 123-inches. There is a contracting brake on countershaft and expanding on both rear wheels. A three-speed progressive gearbox send the power from the engine to the rear wheels. The limousine coachwork is a staggering seven feet and six inches tall. Aluminum was used to create the fenders.
This car has its original black paint and factory applied vertical pinstripes on the rear and side body panels. The pinstripes were factory options in 1908.
The beveled glass windows are original to the car. There is a dividing window, as well as door glass and rear windows which all can each be opened by leather straps. The leather upholstery is believed to be original, though the driver's seat cushions have been replaced since new. The dashboard features a brass Warner Auto Meter, a brass clock, a glass multiple tube oiler site gauge, an ignition switch, and manual oil pumps.
Other features to this car its matching spares mounted on the right side running board, 12-inch Rushmore Searchlight headlamps, bail handle side and tail lamps, a brass speaking tube, original luggage rack and a vintage leather trunk.
The Type I Locomobile Limousine carried a base price of $6,200 when new, making it one of the most expensive automobiles for sale in 1908.
1908 Locomobile Model 40 Type I |
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| Year | 1908 |
| Make | Locomobile |
| Model | Model 40 Type I |
| Body Style | Limousine |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Price | $2,600.00 |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | 2111 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| T-Head | |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 471.20 CU IN. | 7723 cc. | 7.7 L. |
| Horsepower | 40.00 HP (29.4 KW) |
| HP / Liter | 5.2 BHP / Liter |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Fuel Feed | Carburetor |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 3 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| View Specifications |
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