1928 Stearns-Knight Model F6-85 Roadster

This particular example is a 1928 Stearns-Knight F-6-85 6-Passenger Roadster. It is one of two known roadsters and one of the few survivors of the 519 six-cylinder Stearns produced between 1927 and 1929. One the F6-85 lineup, Stearns offered ten body styles. This example had a base price of $3,250 and rested on a 137-inch wheelbase.

The car was purchased new by Dr. Frost of Edgewood, RI, from the Stearns Rhode Island Co. in Providence. Dr. Frost retained the car until his passing in 1965, at which point it was willed to his stepson Chester Worden. Chester registered the car on April 7th, 1965, and registered it with the Willys-Overland-Knight Register in 1973.

In 1984, the car was sold to Delbert Pantel of Chico, CA, who kept the car for four years before passing it on to Norman Buckhart of San Francisco, CA. Buckhart, one of the founding members of the Locomobile Society, kept the car for two years. It was then sold to Pat and Ann Barnes of Willoughby, Ohio, on October 2nd, 1990. Ann Barnes is the granddaughter of Frank B. Stearns - making her a very suitable and appropriate caretaker of the vehicle.

After half a decade of ownership, and with just 23,931 miles on the odometer (believed to be original), the car was treated to a complete restoration. It was a frame-up restoration that lasted from 1995 - 2000 at a price of $330,000. It was finished in two-tone beige with red coachlines, a change from its original jet black. It was given wire wheels as opposed to the original artillery-style wheels.

After the work was completed, it was put on the concours trail. It enjoyed a series of wins in 2000 - its 2nd in class at the Pebble Beach Concours was followed by a 1st Junior at the AACA National Meet. This was followed by a 100-point award at the CCCA Grand National in 2001 and a 1st Senior at the AACA National Meet in 2003.

The current owner acquired the car from Mrs. Barnes in late 2010. Since then, the car has been shown at the Marin Sonoma Concours and Glenmoor Gathering, winning Best in Class and Most Elegant Classic, respectively.

Only about 60 miles have been traveled since the restoration work was completed.

The car is powered by a 288.6 cubic-inch, double-sleeve valve inline six-cylinder motor offering 85 horsepower and mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $126,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013