1904 Pope-Toledo Type IV Two-Seat Racer

The 'Bicycle Trust' was established in the 1880s by Colonel Albert Pope and by the 1890s, had a substantial share of the two-wheeled market. He acquired an interest in virtually any and all patents concerning bicycles in the United States and spent lavishly in the promotion of their use.

As momentum began to build in the late 1890s for the horseless carriage, the Colonel quickly began applying his proven business strategies to this new industry. His first effort was the Columbia Electric, and expansion was quick; within a few years, he had factories up and down the East Coast and into the Midwest. His automotive empire included the Pope-Tribune, Pope-Waverly, Pope-Hartford, and Pope-Toledo.

The Pope-Toledo was built in Toledo, Ohio, from 1903 to 1909. They were an early American adopter of the French 'Panhard system' layout, with a front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels. Its four-cylinder engine sent power to the rear wheels via double-chain drive. In 1905, a specially prepared Pope-Toledo owned by C. Edward Born was driven by brothers George and Charles Soules in the world's first 24-hour endurance race, held on a dirt track in Columbus, Ohio. At the end of the 24 hours, the Pope-Toledo had finished in first place, outpacing the two other competitors and traveling a distance of 828.5 miles.

1904 Pope-Toledo Two-Seat Racer

This 1904 Pope-Toledo has an unnumbered 24 HP frame (Type IV) and front axle. Its 209.8 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine produces around 24 horsepower and is paired with a three-speed manual transmission with double chain drive. (The engine has unusual dimensions with a larger displacement than the 'stock' 24 HP engine). There are semi-elliptic leaf springs and rear drum brakes.

The bodywork was inspired by period Pope-Hartford racer Herb Lytle's 1904 Vanderbilt Cup entrant and the car he entered into the Gordon Bennett Cup the following season. It has Pope-Toledo's bell-shaped radiator shell, a tall hoodline, a pair of low-cut seats, and a fuel tank. There is a dash-mounted Lunkenheimer oiling system with Pope-Toledo badging, a Pope-badged fuel filler cap, and an air gauge.

Tim Moore acquired this car in 2000 from its restorer in trade. While in Mr. Moore's care, the car was given further mechanical sorting, including rebuilding the gearbox and installing a starter. In 2000 and 2001, it was invited by Lord Montagu to be driven up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In September 2001, Mr. Moore sold the Pope-Toledo to Dick King of Redding, Connecticut, with whom it remained for several years. More recently it has been part of a large collection of early American performance automobiles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023