1913 Stevens Duryea Model C Touring

J. Frank Duryea built America's first gasoline engine automobiles with his brother Charles in Springfield, Massachusetts. By 1895, the brothers parted ways and started their own automobile companies.

J. Frank Duryea next teamed with the Steven Arms and Tool Company to build his own automobile and by 1896, the company was already producing and selling automobiles. The company was renamed Stevens-Duryea in 1901 and by 1910, had produced and sold over 2,000 automobiles.

This rare 1913 Model C Stevens Duryea is powered by a large, six-cylinder engine with a factory rating of 48 horsepower. It rides on a 131-inch wheelbase chassis and is equipped with a three-speed transmission and rear wheel brakes. Stevens-Duryea's offering for 1913 included a variety of body styles with prices ranging from $4,550 to $5,800, and it was the first year that the company supplied all of its vehicles with electric lights and horns.

This Model C-Sixes is one of only eight known to survive; seven of them were mounted on the 'short' 131-inch wheelbase chassis.

This example has long-term Michigan ownership history. It was acquired from the collection of the late Jack Skaff, by Gil and Clara Mack. When it was retrieved from Mr. Skaff's stable, the car was in completely original condition. Mr. Mack spent several years restoring the Stevens-Duryea, retaining all of its original components and parts throughout the process. The work was completed in 2008. It was completed in a dark blue finish pinstriped in light grey and accented with black, a black canvas top with a grey cloth liner, and a glass rear window. It is trimmed in nickel, including its Stevens-Duryea script headlamps and the accessory Boyce MotoMeter. The seats are upholstered in black diamond-tufted leather. There is a five-spoke wood-rim steering wheel, a 'Triumph' fuel gauge located between the driver and passenger, and a Warner Autometer, which contains a speedometer, odometer, and a trip odometer. Other instrumentation includes a Westinghouse voltmeter, a pressure gauge for the original Kellogg air-starting system, and a Boston Clock Company timepiece.

The current owner acquired the car in July 2010. It was shown at the July 2010 Eyes On Design event in Michigan and at the July 2011 Concours d'Elegance of America. It has also appeared at the Bay Harbor Vintage Car & Boat Festival.

In 2008 this 1913 Stevens-Duryea Model C Five-Passenger Touring Car was brought to RM Auctions' Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook. It was estimated to sell for $190,000-$240,000. Bidding surpassed the estimated value, settling at $330,000, including the buyer's premium.

In 2010, the car returned to auction, again at RM's Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook sale where it was estimated to sell for $225,000 - $325,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $220,000 including buyer's premium.