1911 Rambler Model 65 Touring

The Rambler Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin, produced one of the most luxurious automobiles of the early 20th century - recognized by the slogan, 'The Comfort of the Parlor and the Speed of the Express Train.'

This example is believed to be the sole existing Model 65 and is quite possibly the only one built on the 128-inch chassis, with huge 41-inch tires, necessary for navigating the rutted tracks of the early 1900s. The inaccessibility of replacement tires caused this Rambler to be 'retired' for much of its life under the original ownership of S. N. Johnson, who kept the motorcar until 1963. It emerged from retirement many decades later, still in original condition, complete with its first Laredo, Texas, license plate. This seven-seater Rambler was meticulously restored in 2008 and appears in its original green livery with brass accouterments.

This 45-horsepower Rambler Model 65 was one of the most luxurious cars you could buy in America in 1911. Its price then was $3,050 and numbers were limited to around 2,500 cars per year. Sales brochures said the Rambler offered the 'comfort of the parlor and the speed of the express train.' This is believed to be the only surviving Model 65 in the world. One reason for the model's scarcity is the impossibility of finding the enormous 40 x 5-inch tires it required; the car's previous owner had these tires specially made in Germany.

The car has a large 128-inch chassis and the first owner is believed to have been an executive of the Coca-Cola Company in Laredo, Texas. The car has been treated to a restoration and every attempt to use as many original components as possible was made. It has its original brass headlamps, engraved with the Rambler logo, brass lights, brackets, and fittings. For convenience, a 12-volt starter has been installed, while the other electrics remain 6-volt.

The restoration work was completed in 2008 and later shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it received a class award. It has also been awarded a Best in Show at the Saratoga Springs Invitation Concours, in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The car is powered by a 4-cylinder, T-head, 318 cubic-inch engine fitted with a single updraft carburetor and offering 45 (rated) horsepower. There is a three-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel mechanical drum brakes.