1911 Lozier Model 51 Touring

Today it would seem nearly impossible, given the size of the automobile industry, to think that a career in bicycles could launch an automotive career. And yet, that is exactly what would happen in 1905 when Henry Abram Lozier founded The Lozier Company in Plattsburgh, New York.

Lozier had earned great wealth making bicycles. This great wealth would enable him to found his automobile company and become a very strong road racing competitor. At some of the most important races in North America, a Lozier could be found somewhere in the field. Lozier would actually be quite successful too, since Ralph Mulford would be contracted to drive the car in races like the Vanderbilt Cup and the Elgin Road Races. Perhaps one of the greatest success stories for Lozier would come after he had moved his company to Detroit in 1910.

Following the move to Detroit in 1910, there would be an inaugural race in Indianapolis, Indiana, the next year, 1911. Ralph Mulford would be behind the wheel of a Lozier in the first-ever Indianapolis 500. And though he would not come through the victor, Lozier would still come away with a very fine 2nd place finish.

The 2nd place result at Indianapolis only highlighted the strength of the Lozier cars, and it would be one of the reasons why Mulford would a number of 24-hour records, as well as earning victories in the Elgin Road Race in 1910 and the Vanderbilt Cup in Savannah in 1911.

Lozier would approach his automobiles the same way he did his bicycles. Each component or part of a Lozier would be designed or engineered by the company itself. A great deal of care and time would be taken with every part. It is why each and every Lozier came at a price.

Despite having gone unrestored for many decades, chassis 3574 was likely one of the most glorious of Lozier's Model 51s still left. Offered at RM Auction's Amelia Island event in 2013, 3574 still remains a fine example of the intricate detail and great care each and every Lozier received from the factory.

When first produced in 1911, this particular chassis would end up with a price tag of $5,955 and would include such striking extras as a 100 mph Jones Speedometer and nickel plating. Exotic and luxurious throughout, the real quality of the Lozier came as a result of the attention to detail as much as the luxurious appointments that were to be found in and around the outside of the car.

This particular chassis would so justly reflect the quality of Lozier that the car would remain a part of the Henry Ford Museum through the 1950s. Then, in 1968, the car would be purchased by Ken Pearson. Pearson's affection for the car would be evident as he would make his own notes as to how best to drive the car. This care and affection would further be evident by his painstaking efforts to restore the car.

The amount of the car that would be entirely original and one of a kind would only come to be realized when restoration efforts began in the early 1970s. Quoting from Pearson's own notes, 'the reinforcing irons, fender brackets, etc. all showed signs of a blacksmith type of fabrication. No two pieces were exactly alike…as they would be if they were made in dies.' Still, despite this challenge, Pearson would soldier on in his restoration efforts. He would stuff the black leather upholstery with horse hair just as it would have originally been. The running boards and floorboards would feature linoleum, as had been the case originally. Even the canvas top would be a perfect match. This would come courtesy of Pearson sending an example of the material to John Haartz of Haartz, Inc.

The entire process of the restoration would be highly documented and recorded. The work list and notes would be exhaustive as would the correspondence with suppliers and individuals associated with the restoration process. What Pearson didn't restore, he left. A closer inspection of the car would cause a great deal of surprise as even the smallest of components on the car remains highly original instead of having been swapped out for something that matched perfectly.

The results of the exhaustive work would pay off immediately as he would receive the AACA National First Prize in 1970. But the real proof of the work would come in the operation of the car, not just its looks. This, too, would be confirmed as Pearson would take part in no less than 77 tours between 1970 and 1988. This meant the addition of thousands upon thousands of miles to the car, and yet, it still presents itself nicely and is truly a special piece of automotive artwork and engineering.

Besides the fact that Lozier never built more than 600 cars throughout its entire existence, chassis 3574 still retains that quality that made it one of the most expensive cars in America at the time. However, complete with a mountain of documentation, even correspondences between Pearson and Mulford himself, this particular 1911 Lozier Model 51 would have to be considered a veritable gold mine of antiquity. If anything, this particular car would have to be considered one of the finest, even in its current state, of the Brass Era machines still in existence today.

Highly unique in its features and components inside and out, 3574 perfectly reflects Lozier's quest for perfection and quality and remains a great reason why the Lozier name must be remembered amongst the very best in automotive history.

Headed to auction, the 1911 Lozier Model 51 Seven-Passenger Touring; with its 51 hp, T-head 6-cylinder engine and Olive Green finish would be estimated to draw between $400,000 and $600,000.

Sources:
'Lot No. 129: 1911 Lozier Model 51 Seven-Passenger Touring', http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1056749. RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1056749. Retrieved 4 March 2013.

'1911 Lozier Briarcliff News, Pictures and Information', http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14255/Lozier-Briarcliff.aspx. Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14255/Lozier-Briarcliff.aspx. Retrieved 4 March 2013.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Lozier', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 31 January 2013, 21:13 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lozier&oldid=535918756 accessed 4 March 2013

By Jeremy McMullen