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1913 National Series V news, pictures, and information | ||
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The early history of the National Motor Vehicle Company involved electric runabouts. When Arthur C. Newby took control a few years later, the destiny of the company changed. He was an enthusiastic bicyclist, loved racing, and one of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909.
After 1906, the National Company concentrated on powering their vehicles with four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines. As early as 1905, Nationals had been raced using gasoline engines and a National won a 100-mile endurance race at Indiana Fairgrounds during that year. Many more historic accomplishments soon followed, such as becoming the first car to cover more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours. The vehicle covered 1,094 miles at an average speed of 51.9 mph.
When the new Indianapolis Speedway opened in 1909, Nationals were there. In May of 1910, amateur driver Arthur Greiner, drove a National Model 40 in a series of events ranging from 5 to 200 miles. The Model 40 was void of any unnecessary items and its engine tuned for optimal performance. The car and driver proved their potential by earning the 'Best Amateur' trophy award.
The inaugural 500-mile race at the Brickyard was held in 1911. Three team cars were entered for National. Each were 40 horsepower racers and each qualified for the race by averaging 75 mph or more over a quarter-mile distance. The car driven by Charlie Merz placed in seventh position, the highest for the National team. The race was very competitive, with the top 12 cars all finishing the full 200 laps. After 500-miles, the pack was still a tight bunch.
A Speedway Roadster was added to National's line-up in 1911, in part to celebrate their accomplishments at Indianapolis.
In 1912, Joe Dawson won the Indy race with his 491 cubic-inch National and earned the purse of $20,000. The car had averaged 78.22 mph.
After this historic accomplishment, the National Company's goal had been ascertained and their focus switched back to improving their road-going cars. Around the same time as Packard was introducing their Twin Six, National introduced their Highway Twelve. Both were very impressive vehicles, but at a base price of $1,990, the Nationals cost around $1000 less than the Packard. The Twelve continued until 1919 and by 1922 the National Company merged with Dixie Flyer and Jackson to form Associated Motor Industries. Part of the companies' demise was the retirement of Arthur Newby in 1916.
What was once that National Motor Vehicle Company was completely gone by 1924 as the company was in receivership.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009
After 1906, the National Company concentrated on powering their vehicles with four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines. As early as 1905, Nationals had been raced using gasoline engines and a National won a 100-mile endurance race at Indiana Fairgrounds during that year. Many more historic accomplishments soon followed, such as becoming the first car to cover more than 1,000 miles in 24 hours. The vehicle covered 1,094 miles at an average speed of 51.9 mph.
When the new Indianapolis Speedway opened in 1909, Nationals were there. In May of 1910, amateur driver Arthur Greiner, drove a National Model 40 in a series of events ranging from 5 to 200 miles. The Model 40 was void of any unnecessary items and its engine tuned for optimal performance. The car and driver proved their potential by earning the 'Best Amateur' trophy award.
The inaugural 500-mile race at the Brickyard was held in 1911. Three team cars were entered for National. Each were 40 horsepower racers and each qualified for the race by averaging 75 mph or more over a quarter-mile distance. The car driven by Charlie Merz placed in seventh position, the highest for the National team. The race was very competitive, with the top 12 cars all finishing the full 200 laps. After 500-miles, the pack was still a tight bunch.
A Speedway Roadster was added to National's line-up in 1911, in part to celebrate their accomplishments at Indianapolis.
In 1912, Joe Dawson won the Indy race with his 491 cubic-inch National and earned the purse of $20,000. The car had averaged 78.22 mph.
After this historic accomplishment, the National Company's goal had been ascertained and their focus switched back to improving their road-going cars. Around the same time as Packard was introducing their Twin Six, National introduced their Highway Twelve. Both were very impressive vehicles, but at a base price of $1,990, the Nationals cost around $1000 less than the Packard. The Twelve continued until 1919 and by 1922 the National Company merged with Dixie Flyer and Jackson to form Associated Motor Industries. Part of the companies' demise was the retirement of Arthur Newby in 1916.
What was once that National Motor Vehicle Company was completely gone by 1924 as the company was in receivership.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009
 |  |  | Semi-Racing Roadster |
In 1913 and 1914, National cataloged a Speedway Roadster and a Semi-Racing Speedster on their 128-inch wheelbase four-cylinder Series V frame.
Until the current owner discovered this 1913 National Semi-Racing Roadster in the Blue Mountains, it was believed there was only one Semi-Racing Roadster in existence from their five-year-long production run (1910-1915). This vehicle is 100-percent original and had 22,000 miles on it when the current owner purchased it from the first owner in 2000. The roadster is one of 60 custom-built Nationals produced in 1913.
 |  |  | Semi-Racing Roadster Chassis Num: 10316 Engine Num: 7321 |
| Sold for $196,200 at 2008 Bonhams. Sold for $203,500 at 2012 Gooding & Company. | |||
Newby left the company in 1916. The company began a decline that culminated in receivership in 1924.
This National Series V is powered by a 450 cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder engine offering 40 horsepower at 1500 RPM. It has a three-speed sliding gear selective manual gearbox and internal expanding rear drum brakes. It is believed to have been originally bodied as a five-passenger tourer and converted to its current roadster body style in 1935.
In the 1930s, the car was acquired by Chicago-based enthusiast d. Cameron Peck who kept the car for a number of years. In 1949 he donated the car to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, where it remained for 59 years.
The late Thomas Mittler purchased the car in late 2008. The car has been left unrestored and still shows a rich patina to its paint and upholstery. It has been recently returned to running order by Automotive Restoration, Inc.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $250,000 - $300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $203,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012
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