1910 Premier Model 4-40

Clubman Touring
Chassis number: 2725

The first Premier model, built in Indianapolis, was built in 1903 and featured an over-head valve four-cylinder engine mated to a sliding gear transmission. Their early cars featured air-cooling, with water-cooled engines becoming available in 1907. The following year, water-cooled engines were featured on all their models.

By 1910, Premier offered two models including a 60 horsepower six-cylinder model and a 40HP four. The 40HP model featured a T-head engine, a four-speed transmission, and a shaft drive rear axle. Selling for $2,500, the Premier was available as either a roadster or a tourer.

Like many automotive companies of its era, the Premier Company believed in racing to improve the brand. The company entered an air-cooled machine in the Vanderbilt Cup Race, but was disqualified for being 60 pounds overweight. They did run three entries in the 1916 Indianapolis 500 race and did receive a perfect score in three consecutive Glidden Reliability tours.

This particular example is a 40hp Premier with open front bodywork, a full complement of polished brass, a two-man top, large wheels, and a hearty T-head engine. It wears a restoration that is several decades old but has held up remarkably well. The upholstery is the correct-grained leather with stiff horsehair stuffing, the paint has the proper sheen and color combination and the top material is the correct-grained vinyl.

The engine is a 340 cubic-inch 4-cylinder unit fitted with an updraft carburetor and offering 40 horsepower. There is a 4-speed sliding gear transmission and rear-wheel mechanical brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

The Premiere Motor Company of Indianapolis, Indiana was in business from 1903 until 1926. Their vehicles were among the finest automobiles produced in the Hoosier State and are best remembered for introducing a number of technical advancements, which aided in achieving perfect scores in three Glidden Tours. In 1905, they had ambitions of contesting the Vanderbilt Cup, but their air-cooled prototype was disqualified for being 60 pounds overweight. In 1916, they entered three road-going cars in the 1916 Indianapolis 500, achieving excellent results.

The first Premier, introduced in 1903, employed an overhead valve four-cylinder engine backed by a sliding gear transmission. This was a departure from the traditional configuration of the era, which often included a single-cylinder planetary-transmission setup. Air-cooling engine designs were used early on, with water-cooled engines becoming available in 1907 and being featured on all models by 1908. By 1910, the Premier automobiles were available in two models powered by a 60 horsepower six-cylinder and a 40 horsepower four. The 40 HP engine featured a T-head setup with a four-speed transmission and a shaft drive rear axle. Body styles available on the Model 40 included a roadster and tourer, with prices beginning at $2,500.

by Dan Vaughan

Clubman Touring
Chassis number: 2112

This 1910 automobile was manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana, by the Premier Motor Manufacturing Company. This company was in business from 1906 through 1920. The company was one of those companies that never really prospered. Financial difficulties and low production finished many of these small companies.

The Premier was one of the best-built American automobiles of the pre-World War I era. By 1910, when this automobile was built, the Premier had completed three Glidden Tours (essentially, endurance runs) with perfect scores - a significant accomplishment.

Priced at $2,600, the Premier occupied the higher price bracket of American automobiles. It was powered by a four-cylinder, T-head engine that developed 40 horsepower, hence the '4-40' model designation.

This Premier Model 4-40 Clubman, a close-coupled 'sport touring', features a detachable rear tonneau. It was acquired by the Jack Dunning Collection at Hershey many years ago. It has been modified with a 'mother-in-law' seat and gas tank in lieu of the tonneau. The color scheme was based on period photos acquired by Mr. Dunning

The 334 cubic-inch engine, offering 40 horsepower, features dual camshafts, two separate ignition systems, and a Model T–style coil box and spark plugs. When Mr. Dunning acquired the car, it had the incorrect 'dual ignition' system fitted. Borrowing correct components from a friend's 1910 Premier, Mr. Dunning reproduced them for this car. The only non-stock modification found on this car is a modern starter, invisible aside from the serpentine belt around the flywheel.

After the restoration, it was awarded an AACA Grand National First Prize in 1987 and also appeared at the concours d'elegance at Meadowbrook and Pebble Beach in 1988.