1900 Winton Runabout

Chassis #: 199

Sold for $82,500 at 2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey.
In 1898 Alexander Winton sold 22 cars making him America's leading automaker. The first of these 22 were sold during one week. Alexander Winton was an immigrant from Scotland who, upon arriving to America, opened the Winton Bicycle Company. He had also worked on a steamship as an engineer.

The Winton Motor Carriage Company of Cleveland, Ohio is credited with being the first company in the United States to sell a motor car. The company was incorporated in Cleveland in March of 1897 and his first motor wagon was shown to the press the previous October. The vehicles were termed 'horseless carriages' and included gas lamps, padded seats, and rubber tires made by the Goodrich Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio. Winton is credited with more than 100 patents.

In 1899 Winton confidently proclaimed to a reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer that his cars could drive to New York in less than 50 hours. Calling his bluff, the paper took him up on the challenge and even sponsored the run. The weather did not help his journey, as heavy rains made the roadways very difficult to traverse. Mud was credited with breaking one of Winton's axles and causing it to lose a wheel. Parts were shipped by rail and arrived the next day. The total time for the trip was five days but the running time was 47 hours and 34 minutes.

This vehicle is in poor condition after years of service, abuse, and neglect. It is believed that it once served as a 'gopher vehicle' in a junkyard. The remnants of its body still remain but the dashboard is gone. A few pieces of the original dark Brewster Green paint give an indication of its former color. The mechanical workings of this vehicle are in much the same condition; mostly complete but lacking some parts. The piston is out of the engine. The steering tiller and controls remain but are in need of repair.

The engine originally measured 149 cubic inches and produced 8 horsepower. It was an L-head unit with a horizontal single-cylinder. There was a manual sliding gear transmission with a solid front axle with full-elliptic leaf springs, and a live rear axle with full-elliptic leaf springs and single chain drive.

This vehicle was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $10,000 - $14,000 and offered without reserve. Bidding quickly surpassed the estimates with the final bid settling at $82,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007