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1929 Essex Speedabout Boattail Roadster news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Boattail Roadster Chassis Num: 1059468 |
| Sold for $79,200 at 2005 RM Auctions. Sold for $66,000 at 2010 RM Auctions. Sold for $88,000 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
Essex introduced their first value-priced Essex Six in 1924, and for 1927, Essex offered the first two-passenger Speedabout. It had distinct boattail design, leather interior and special rear axle ratio. The lightweight construction and fairly aerodynamic design gave the Speedabout a top speed in the neighborhood of 70 mph.
Essex did not offer the Speedabout in 1928, but it reappeared in 1929, with just five known examples built. Biddle and Smart of Amesbury, Massachusetts supplied their stylish aluminum bodies, which included a rumble seat. Special gear ratios were fitted, and along with overdrive, the Speedabout was now capable of 80 mph. Speedabouts were reportedly only built as show cars by Hudson, primarily to test their feasibility for eventual volume-production.
This Speedabout Boattail Roadster was given a body-off restoration with no expense spared, which the Guild of Automotive Restorers completed in 2002 for one of its executives. A mechanical rebuild was part of the process. The car was driven sparingly before joining its current private collection in 2005.
The engine is an L-head six-cylinder unit that displaces 161 cubic-inches and produces 55 horsepower. There is a three-speed sliding gear transmission plus overdrive and four-wheel mechanical brakes.
In 2010, this Essex Speedabout Boattail Roadster was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook event presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $60,000-$80,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $66,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
| Edsel Ford's Speedster Stars at 'The Amelia' | |
 | Edsel Ford's 'continental car', a custom boattail speedster, will take its rightful place in the Sports Car Class of the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. In the shape of Edsel's seminal speedster is the genesis of Ford's legendary design department. Edsel Ford was hardly 'a chip off the old block'. The acorn fell well away from the mighty oak that was Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company. Edsel was not just the President of Ford, he was a car guy to his core. His ta...[Read more...] |
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