1929 Essex Challenger Boattail Roadster

This particular example is a Speedabout Roadster, which is believed to be one of five examples built in 1929 with lightweight aluminum bodywork by Biddle and Smart, of Amesbury, Massachusetts. The Speedabout was the company's most expensive model for 1929, offered from $965. The Speedabout had a rumble seat and was capable of achieving an 80-mph top speed.

This particular example is finished in red and black paint with a black 'wraparound' beltline molding and a black canvas folding top with red piping and red upholstery. It joined the Hostetler Collection in 1998, and its known ownership dates to Maurice J. Curran, III of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, who placed it at the Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1972. At the time, it was finished in light brown with darker fenders. Dave Mange purchased it from a sale held at the Museum. It remained with him for several years and was placed on display at the Owl's Head Museum in Maine for a time until it was sold to MBNA Marketing Systems. In 1996, it was brought to the AACA Hershey Meet, where it was purchased by Glen Weeks, who then had it restored before selling it to the Hostetlers following the Auburn, Indiana Labor Day weekend festivities in September of 1998.

This Speedabout is equipped with twin Trippe Safety Lights, a 'goddess' radiator mascot, twin stanchion-mounted spotlights, wind wings, a rumble seat, and rear-mounted spare wheel and tire assembly.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019