1910 Premier Model 4-40 Clubman Touring

The first Premier model, built in Indianapolis, was built in 1903 and featured an over-head valve four-cylinder engine mated to a sliding gear transmission. Their early cars featured air-cooling, with water-cooled engines becoming available in 1907. The following year, water-cooled engines were featured on all their models.

By 1910, Premier offered two models including a 60 horsepower six-cylinder model and a 40HP four. The 40HP model featured a T-head engine, a four-speed transmission, and a shaft drive rear axle. Selling for $2,500, the Premier was available as either a roadster or a tourer.

Like many automotive companies of its era, the Premier Company believed in racing to improve the brand. The company entered an air-cooled machine in the Vanderbilt Cup Race, but was disqualified for being 60 pounds overweight. They did run three entries in the 1916 Indianapolis 500 race and did receive a perfect score in three consecutive Glidden Reliability tours.

This particular example is a 40hp Premier with open front bodywork, a full complement of polished brass, a two-man top, large wheels, and a hearty T-head engine. It wears a restoration that is several decades old but has held up remarkably well. The upholstery is the correct-grained leather with stiff horsehair stuffing, the paint has the proper sheen and color combination and the top material is the correct-grained vinyl.

The engine is a 340 cubic-inch 4-cylinder unit fitted with an updraft carburetor and offering 40 horsepower. There is a 4-speed sliding gear transmission and rear-wheel mechanical brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2015