1935 Brewster Ford Town Car

James Brewster created the Brewster Company in the 1800s and a century later, his descendants realized that the horse-drawn carriage was nearing an end, and shifted to automobile body production. In 1926, the firm was absorbed into Rolls-Royce of America as the primary coachbuilder for the Springfield Rolls. Rolls-Royce ceased Springfield production during the Great Depression, so the Brewster company adapted by offering bodies with a distinctive radiator shell and bumpers on the Ford V-8 chassis. Between 1934 through 1936, Brewster created approximately 135 examples of the Brewster-Ford. There were four-body styles available with the majority being Town Cars.

This Town Car has a documented ownership history since new. It was purchased new by wealthy New Yorker Mrs. Muriel Stokes. Later, it was owned by actress Gertrude Lawrence and later purchased by the owner of Old Man's Hat, a landmark of New York City establishment. The current owner has cared for the vehicle since the mid-1990s.

Original features on this car include a rear call button, vanity mirrors, jump seats, footrest, divider window, trunk, and Philippine mahogany trim. The original engine was replaced with a 1940 Ford V-8 which displaces 221 cubic inches and offers 85 horsepower.

In 2011, this car was offered for sale at the St. John auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $65,000 - $75,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $49,500, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2011