1903 Toledo 12 Horsepower

The American Bicycle Company announced in September of 1900 that it would focus solely on the production of steam-powered automobiles at its Toledo, Ohio, plant. A few months later, in November, a steam-powered Toledo automobile was on display at the New York Auto Show. It was called the Billings, after its designer Frederick Billings.

The American Bicycle operations were reorganized as the International Motor Car Company, a fitting decision as they no longer produced bicycles. Their first product, available in 1901, was available in two models, the Westchester, and the Toledo.

By the close of 1901, the name of the company had again changed, this time to 'Toledo.' 1902 was another big year for the company, as their lineup of steam-powered cars continued to increase, and they introduced their first gasoline-powered car. The Steam Powered Cars were available as the Model A, a runabout, the Model B, a carriage, and the Model C, a Surrey. A steam-powered Junior Runabout and a Touring Car were also available. The gasoline-powered car had three cylinders and offered a rather impressive 16 horsepower. In total, there were 50 examples of the Gasoline-powered Toledo produced in 1902.

1903 was the final year for the Toledo marque name. On May 27th, the Pope Motor Car Company, run by Colonel Albert Pope, acquired the International Motor Car Company in Toledo, and all vehicles that followed were dubbed the Pope-Toledo. The electric car produced by the International Motor Car Company, known as the Waverley, was now the Pope-Waverley.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009

Sold for $192,500 at 2008 Gooding & Company.
This 1903 Toledo 12-Horsepower Rear-Entrance Touring car is the only known gasoline-powered survivor of the Toledo Company. It is the same kind of vehicle that won the 800-mile New York to Pittsburgh Endurance Run in October 1903. Considering the rudimentary road system at the time and the lack of fuel stations along the route, this was a very impressive accomplishment.

A total restoration of this car was completed in 2003. During the past three decades, the car has had only three owners. It rides on correct-style white tires and has period brass lamps, period wicker baskets, a fixed roof, and roll-down side curtains. The final drive is by dual chain, and power is sent to the rear wheels via a progressive-shift three-speed gearbox.

In 2008, this Rear-Entrance Touring car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $275,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $192,500, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2009