1911 Jackson 50HP

Sold for $203,500 at 2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey.
The Jackson automobile was produced from 1903 through 1923 in Jackson, Michigan. It was founded by Byron J. Carter who began his career working as a steam-driven press printer. Along with printing, Carter was a rubber stamp manufacturer who later entered a partnership with his father, Squire B. Carter, in the production of bicycles beginning in 1894. The U.S. Tag Company was formed in 1896. In 1899, Carter built his first gasoline-powered automobile. Using his background in the steam-driven press, future cars were powered by this alternative source.

By 1902, Carter had invented a three-cylinder 6-horsepower steam engine that he patented. Having created a successful product, he persuaded Jackson residents George A. Matthews and Charles Lewis to help him with automobile production. Matthews was the owner of the Fuller Buggy Company and had ties to the Jackson City Bank, while Mr. Lewis was the president of Lewis Spring and Axle Company and the director of Union Bank in Jackson. Soon, the Jackson Automobile Company was incorporated and began producing both gasoline and steam-powered vehicles.

The steam-powered cars were spelled 'Jaxon' and were built in 1903 only.

One of the earliest production cars of the Jackson marque was a single-cylinder gasoline-powered car that was similar to the Olds Runabout. This was followed in 1904 with a twin-cylinder example and a four-cylinder model was introduced in 1906.

The company grew in success due to a solid product and a successful marketing campaign. They developed an advanced and powerful four-cylinder engine that featured an overhead camshaft and efficient cylinder heads with overhead valves, hemispherical combustion chambers, and valves opposed at a 45-degree angle. The spark plugs were placed almost precisely over the centers of the piston crowns, confirming Jackson's remarkable engineering. Other advanced features included an ingenious oiling system with oil feed initiated by the spinning flywheels, a durable multiple-disc clutch, a three-speed sliding gear transmission, and a crank supported by five main bearings.

Backed by strong and durable engineering, the Jackson vehicles were popular in racing. During the inaugural August 1909 racing meet at Indianapolis, Leigh Jackson won the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy race in a Jackson. Later, a factory-built Model 59 Jackson entered the 1911 Indianapolis 500, finishing the race in the top 10.

This 1911 Jackson is a 50-horsepower Touring car that has been given a concours-level restoration that was completed in 2002. It was formerly part of the Mr. Barney Pollard collection. It has been shown at the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance where it took Best in Class honors.

The car is fitted with a number of period accessories including the eagle radiator mascot which was originally sold by the National Highway Association to raise funds for highway construction during the pre-WWI era. There is a horn with a unique sound and a frame that has been dropped at the rear and fitted with 36x4-inch tires. The four-cylinder engine with overhead valves and hemispherical combustion chambers is mated to a three-speed sliding gearbox.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $300,000-$400,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $203,500, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010