Touring
Chassis number: 96064

Colonel Albert Pope was a successful producer of bicycles before he diverted his attention and his Hartford, Conn., based business into an automobile producer. Pope began experimenting with the automobile during the mid-1890s and, within a few years, had created a line of vehicles that utilized power from their electricity or gasoline. This dual offering of either electric or gasoline-powered vehicles continued through the early 1900s.

This brilliant 1912 Columbia Cavalier Four-Passenger Touring car is powered by a four-cylinder, 410 cubic-inch, T-head engine that can propel the 120-inch wheelbase to comfortable touring speeds. The car was brought back from the brink of extinction by Jim and Dorothy Conant, who had the car restored to its original condition. It was found in a barn in Berea, Ohio, in 1965 in very poor condition. Many of its components had been dismantled and used in farm equipment which, too, was spread throughout the property. The transmission had been used for a speed changer for a power saw. The rear axle was found hidden under a pile of clay drain tiles. The radiator was in an empty cistern. The list continued, and so did the search, for many weeks.

The car debuted at the AACA Spring National Meet during the early 1970s, receiving a National First Prize. This award would be bestowed upon the vehicle multiple times. In 1971 it was awarded the AACA Cup for the best restoration of the year in the Eastern Division.

It is believed that this is the only 1912 example of the Columbia Company in existence. It has a side-mounted tire, beautiful brass lamps, black leather diamond-tufted upholstery, period correct wicker trunk, and finished in green livery.

It was estimated to fetch between $95,000-125,000 at the auction where it was offered without reserve. It sold well above the estimated figure, netting $181,500.

by Dan Vaughan