Atlas Model H, 1910 Model H | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Pricing, Information, Wallpaper, History

More Photographs Interior Photos

View more photos
Chassis Num: 1084H

'The Most Silent and Indestructible Engine Built'
The Atlas two-cycle, 60 horsepower engine gave the car a top speed of 60 miles per hour and sales literature stated, 'The perfect two-cycle Atlas engine is the simplest, most silent, and indestructible engine built.'

The Sunset Automobile Company of San Francisco originally developed, manufactured and marketed the car as the Sunset. The 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed the Sunset factory and production was taken over by the Knox Motor Truck Company in Springfield, Massachusetts. The car was renamed the Atlas and was built from 1907 to 1911. To prove the worthiness of the two-cycle engine, Henry Knox entered a stock Atlas in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup race. It was the first time a two-cycle vehicle had ever been entered and the car finished a respectable fifth place.

This 1910 Atlas is the largest Atlas built. It has many unique features of the period including the use of nickel plating on its lamps and accessories, as well as its powerful two-cycle engine which is coupled to a three-speed, sliding gear transmission.

This vehicle has had only four owners from new and was once a prominent part of the fames Harrah's automobile collection in Reno, Nevada. It is the only operational example in existence.

It is a right-hand-drive Touring car painted in Bordeux Red with a black buttoned leather interior. The restoration is still fresh, even after being completed in the 1980s. It has Gray and Davis headlamps, side lamps and tail lamps.

It was shown at the Meadow Brook Concours where it was awarded 'The Debut Award', which is awarded to the motor car deemed most significant on the field in its first showing. Prior to the Meadow Brook showing, it was never shown.

A few months after its Meadow Brook debut, the car was brought to the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $180,000 - $220,000. The estimates proved accurate as the lot was sold for $220,000.

Harry A. Knox founded the Knox Automobile Company in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1897. During the early years of production, the company prospered as their air-cooled vehicles were known for their quality and durability. Difficulties and disagreements with his financial backers had Harry Knox leaving the company a few years after its inception. In 1905 he formed the Knox Motor Truck Company, also based in Springfield. The management of the Knox Automobile Company felt did not agree with the name of the new truck company, so Harry Knox soon found himself being sued. Just like Ransom E. Olds, Knox was forbidden to use his own name. In 1907 he chose the name Atlas Motor Car Company, after his first two-ton truck called the Atlas. That same year he acquired a license with the Sunset Automobile Company of San Francisco to use their two-stroke engines.

The Atlas models were promoted as the 'Perfect Two Cycle Engine.' They came in two-stroke, two-cylinder and four-cylinder versions. Their product soon became popular, especially the taxi cab and delivery vans.

Racing and endurance challenges were monumental resources for selling vehicles in the early 1900s. A win on Sunday meant great sales on Monday. Harry entered and piloted an Atlas vehicle in the 1909 Vanderbilt race. The race was very popular and very competitive. When Harry crossed the line in fifth place, the public acknowledged this accomplishment and sales began to increase. This success would be rather brief, as the lifespan of the competitiveness of the Sunset engines, both on the racing circuit and in production, soon faded. A suitable replacement could not be found which spelled the demise of the company. Knox re-organized the company to produce the Atlas-Knight. These vehicles, offered in a five and seven passenger touring cars, were powered by sleeve-valve engines. The sleeve-valve engine was a mechanical masterpiece that had no valves and only five moving parts. It had an offset crankshaft and lacked the problematic parts such as camshafts, valve seals, bearings, and rocker arms. Production lasted from 1911 to 1913.

Photos grouped by event
Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey	Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance

1910 Atlas Model H
Year	1910
Make	Atlas
Model	Model H
Engine Location	Front
Drive Type	Rear Wheel
Price	$2,750.00
Combined MPG	0.00

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number	1084H

Performance
Top Speed	60 mph \| 96.5 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine
Engine Configuration	I
Cylinders	4
Engine	Two-cycle
Aspiration/Induction	Normal
Displacement	392.70 CU IN. \| 6436.4 cc. \| 6.4 L.
Horsepower	60.00 HP (44.2 KW)
HP / Liter	9.4 BHP / Liter

Standard Transmission
Gears	3
Transmission	Selective Sliding

Recent Vehicle News

1910 Atlas Model H