1914 Haynes Model 27

Elwood Haynes was a very talented individual who, along with the Apperson brothers, built their first horseless carriage in 1893. It was driven on the streets on July 4th of 1894. It traveled at speeds of about five or six miles per hour near Kokomo, Indiana. It was, as Haynes proclaimed, 'America's First Car' and 'America's First Gasoline Automobile.' The original Haynes horseless car is not a permanent fixture in the Smithsonian museum.

Along with being famous for automobile production, Haynes also was an inventor and held many patents. He was renowned for his metalwork and in 1911 invented stainless steel which was patented in 1919. He invented a number of other alloys including tungsten chrome steel, chromium and cobalt alloy, and chromium and nickel alloy.

In 1898, a building was purchased and used for the production of automobiles, and the company was formed, known as the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company. In 1901 Haynes and the Apperson brothers ceased their working relationship, with Haynes continuing to produce cars using the company name until 1905. At that time he established the Haynes Automobile Company in Kokomo, Indiana. The company would sell its cars powered by four-cylinder engines until a six was introduced in 1913.

By 1911, Haynes became the first company to offer an open car with a top, windshield, headlamps, and a speedometer as standard equipment. In 1914 they were one of the first companies to offer the Vulcan Electric Gear Shift.

The company would stay in the automobile industry for the next twenty years; it went into receivership when a merger between Winton and Dorris failed. Elwood Haynes died from pneumonia a few years later and the company was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring
Chassis number: IA51636

Elwood Haynes designed and built a petrol-driven buggy as early as 1894, and on that Fourth of July the car took to the road just outside of Kokomo, Indiana, becoming one of the first-ever self-propelled gasoline vehicles in America. (The Duryea brothers were first in September 1893.) This 1914 Haynes 27 with touring style bodywork remained with the same family in Mason City, Iowa, from 1915 through 1986. Purchased by the current owner in 2006, the car is completely original, including the top and interior, side curtains, seat covers, tools, and the then-much-needed tire chains.

This 1914 Haynes Model 27 50 HP Touring was awarded the Preservation Class Award at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It is powered by a six-cylinder engine that displaces 7763cc and is capable of producing 50 horsepower. There is a three-speed selective gear transmission with Vulcan Electric gearshift, contracting and expanding brakes on the rear wheels. It is an original and low-mileage example.

A few months later it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $175,000. As the gavel fell, the lot had been sold for $112,750 including the buyer's premium.

This Haynes Tourer was acquired new by the O'Leary family of Mason City, Iowa, and handed down through generations. In the mid-1980s, it was sold to another Mason City resident, Wayne Schmidt, and with the help of a friend, would resurrect the Haynes, fitting new tires and entering the car in an AACA event. This tourer remained with Mr. Schmidt until his passing in 2007. The vehicle's next owner displayed it in the Preservation Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it received a Third in Class result.

This car is powered by a 468 cubic-inch inline 6-cylinder engine breathing through a single Updraft carburetor and producing 50 horsepower (Rated). The engine is paired with a three-speed Sliding Preselector Vulcan Electric-Shift Gearbox and there are rear wheel mechanical drum brakes. At the front is a solid axle while the rear has a live axle setup. Semi-Elliptical leaf springs are at the front and rear. In 2008, the magneto and water pump were rebuilt, and various seals were replaced. Additionally, the brakes were relined. Since then, this Tourer has participated in numerous tours, which it completed without fault.

by Dan Vaughan