Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
The Liberty Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, was formed in February of 1916 and would survive for only a few years, entering receivership in January 1923. The company, like many other pioneers of the automobile industry, had big dreams and narrowly missed them. It was headed by Percy Owen, the former vice-president and sales manager for Saxon, who brought two former Saxon individuals into the venture: R.E. Cole as an engineer and H.M. Wirth as purchasing agent.
The Liberty cars had quality engineering, comfort, and a sturdy six-cylinder engine, which was eventually produced to Liberty's own design by Wisconsin.
Their product was sound and inspired the construction of a massive new factory. With the onset of a recession, it began to become apparent that, in Owen's own words, the company had an 'inability of take advantage of the facilities' that it had built. The Liberty factory became home to Budd's main Detroit wheel and body stamping operations, and it turned out panels for Motor City automakers for over 80 years.
During the company's introductory year, it produced 733 cars. By 1919 production had risen significantly to 6,000 cars. The following year, production reached 11,000 units.
This car is one of only ten Liberty automobiles known to exist. The body style is a Special Touring example that was owned for decades by the late John Podesta of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was regularly shown at Midwestern old car meets during the earliest years of the antique car hobby.
The car was eventually acquired by Harrah's Automobile Collection in Reno, Nevada, from which it was sold in 1986. It later made its way into John O'Quinn's collection.
The car is powered by a 230 cubic-inch side-valve inline six-cylinder engine rated at 56 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission with rear-wheel mechanical brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2013
The Liberty cars had quality engineering, comfort, and a sturdy six-cylinder engine, which was eventually produced to Liberty's own design by Wisconsin.
Their product was sound and inspired the construction of a massive new factory. With the onset of a recession, it began to become apparent that, in Owen's own words, the company had an 'inability of take advantage of the facilities' that it had built. The Liberty factory became home to Budd's main Detroit wheel and body stamping operations, and it turned out panels for Motor City automakers for over 80 years.
During the company's introductory year, it produced 733 cars. By 1919 production had risen significantly to 6,000 cars. The following year, production reached 11,000 units.
This car is one of only ten Liberty automobiles known to exist. The body style is a Special Touring example that was owned for decades by the late John Podesta of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was regularly shown at Midwestern old car meets during the earliest years of the antique car hobby.
The car was eventually acquired by Harrah's Automobile Collection in Reno, Nevada, from which it was sold in 1986. It later made its way into John O'Quinn's collection.
The car is powered by a 230 cubic-inch side-valve inline six-cylinder engine rated at 56 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission with rear-wheel mechanical brakes.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2013
2013 RM Auction - Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $40,000-USD $60,000
Sale Price :
USD $19,250
Recent Sales of the Liberty Six Special
(Data based on Model Year 1922 sales)
1922 Liberty Six Special Touring Chassis#: 57276 Sold for USD$19,250 2013 RM Auction - Hershey |
Liberty Six Specials That Failed To Sell At Auction
1922 Liberty Six Special's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $19,250 range.
1902 DE DION-BOUTON MOTORIZED BICYCLE Sold for $19,375 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
2007 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE Chassis#:ZAMCE39A070028205 Sold for $19,250 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
2004 HUMMER H2 CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:5GRGN23U94H101148 Sold for $19,250 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1981 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 T-TOP COUPE Chassis#:1G1AP87L9BL185335 Sold for $19,250 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1979 Chevrolet Camaro Chassis#:1q87g9n535837 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
1990 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Chassis#:1gtdc14k3lz524902 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Houston | |
Ferrari '500 F2' Children's Car Sold for $19,200 2024 RM Sothebys : Dubai | |
2011 Jaguar XJ Chassis#:sajwa1cb6blv05490 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1970 Dodge Dart Swinger Chassis#:ll23c0r180755 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1937 Dodge D7 Deluxe Touring Sedan Chassis#:9475873 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Convertible Chassis#:wdbtk56f08t098889 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1978 CHEVROLET C10 PICKUP Chassis#:CCU148B171530 Sold for $19,250 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
2008 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE Chassis#:ZAMFE39A380038970 Sold for $19,250 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1977 GMC Sierra Classic Pickup Chassis#:tcl147s530900 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2002 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:1g1yy32g625108385 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1950 Hudson Pacemaker Sedan Chassis#:50a116183 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1994 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:1g1yy32p5r5111773 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1985 BMW 735i Chassis#:wbafh8409f0639723 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1991 Chevrolet C1500 Pickup Chassis#:1gcdk14z1mz140750 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Convertible Chassis#:1g2mg35x27y124484 Sold for $19,250 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee |
1922 Liberty Six Special
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery