1904 Knox Two-Cylinder Tuxedo Touring

This 1904 Knox Tudor Touring model was originally purchased by Mr. Gilmartin of Neligh, Nebraska. This was the largest of the Knox models for that year and powered by a 274.9 cc 2-cylinder air-cooled engine rated at 20 horsepower. It has a 2-speed planetary transmission and a rear-axle drum brake.

It is believed that Mr. Gilmartin fitted the car with larger-than-stock wheels with the correct non-demountable rims to facilitate greater ground clearance. The wheels still remain with the car today.

In 1940, Herb and Bob Horn discovered the car and acquired it for their new auto museum, Cars of Yesterday, in Sarasota, Florida. The car was immediately put into restoration during the winter months and completed in the spring of 1941.

After decades on display, the Knox was purchased by the Webber family in St. Louis, Missouri, and then in the early 1980s, it was purchased by Norm Buckhart who ran the car in the 1987 London-To-Brighton run. In 1988, Mr. Buckhart had the engine rebuilt and ran the event a second time.

A short time after the second London-To- Brighton run, the current owner purchased the 1904 Knox. There are only two other 1904 Knox cars known to exist. One example was owned for many years by Harrah's Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.

This 1904 Knox was given a restoration in the early 1990s and has about 100 miles on the engine since that time. The car is finished in dark teal coachwork, with original brass fittings and black leather upholstery. The car can seat five with the rear entrance tonneau in place, and can also transform into a sporting two-seater when the tonneau is removed and the turtle deck is installed.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $198,000, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019