1913 Simplex Model 38

Produced by the Simplex Automobile Company of New York City, New York, the Simplex was among the most expensive, most powerful, largest, and most well-built luxury cars of the early twentieth century.

This Simplex was purchased new by R.R. Colgate Sharon of Connecticut for a total cost of $4,485. The automobile sports low four-passenger custom Toy Tonneau Coachwork, by Holbrook of New York City, New York.

The engine is an enormously powerful 485.3 cubic-inch 'T' head 4-cylinder unit developing 75 bhp.

Beginning in 1911, Simplex offered a smaller 4-cylinder, 38 horsepower engine of 476 cubic inches, which actually still exceeded the size of those engines offered by many other contemporary sporting marques. The Thirty-Eight was also distinguished from other Simplex offerings because it didn't use chain drive to the rear wheels but instead had more refined shaft drive propulsion. The Thirty-Eight was a slightly more manageable model to drive and was popular through the end of 4-cylinder production.

This 38 HP example sports a 4-passenger body by Holbrook, one of the most prolific bodybuilders of Simplex chassis.