1911 Hupmobile Model 20 Touring

Hupmobile made its first Touring car in 1911. Factory records show that only 18 Touring models were manufactured. The Hupmobile was considered to be a well-built, durable, and affordable automobile. To help prove the reliability and dependability of the Model 20 Hupmobile Touring, two employees began an around-the-world trip on November 10th of 1910. The car traveled through 26 different countries (14 of which had never seen an automobile), and covered 48,600 land miles and 28,000 ship-board miles. The journey ended in Detroit, Michigan on January 24, 1912. The Hupmobile was the first car to complete an around-the-world trip. The car was powered by a 4-cylinder engine with a Bosch Magneto producing 17-20 horsepower and a slide-gear transmission. An early catalog described the Hupp Touring as long, low and racy looking. This car has very stylish lines considering the time period in which it was built. The Hupmobile was fully warranted for the life of the vehicle, except naturally the tires.

This particular Hupmobile was used to promote the first RCA radio. A pulley mounted on the front of the engine (which is still on the car today), drove the generator for the radio. Mr. Richard Conner, who was the owner of this car in 1915, used it under the auspices of RCA to advertise their initial entry of automobile radios into the market. Mr. Conner drove this Hupmobile from Maine to the Carolinas in the early 1920s with a huge roof-top sign inviting all to come and listen to an automobile radio.

Unfortunately, Hupmobile discontinued automobile production in 1940.

This vehicle sold for between $900 - $1,100.