1912 Simplex Model 38 Touring

Simplex was a prestige nameplate in the years preceding World War I, noteworthy for sporty machines that delivered exceptional performance by the standards of the day. There were three Simplex cars in the 40-car starting field for the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911; two of them finished in the top ten (sixth and eighth places).

The Simplex Automobile Company was organized in 1907, when textile magnate Herman Broesel acquired the Smith & Mabley Company, producer of S&M Simplex cars, with headquarters and manufacturing located at 614 East 83rd Street in New York City. Under Broesel's leadership, Simplex automobiles became substantial, rugged, powerful, and expensive. Smaller and lighter than preceding editions, the Model 38 arrived in 1911.

Designations were simple: 38 indicated the rated horsepower of the 7.8-liter four-cylinder engine. The 38 was the first Simplex to send thrust to the rear wheels with a driveshaft, though chain drive continued to be available. Although it was less expensive than the bigger Simplex offerings, the Model 38 was still far from cheap. A touring car like this one carried a $4,850 price tag, steep in a day when Henry Ford's Model T was already making automobiles available for less than $700, with much lower prices soon to come. This freshly restored Simplex touring car is believed to be one of 12 Model 38 survivors.