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1912 White Model 60

Thomas White was a sewing machine manufacturer from Cleveland, Ohio, and an early owner of a steam car. The vehicle was unreliable, but improvements made by his son Rollin, and with support from his brothers, convinced their father to let them use part of the family's plant to build cars. Beginning in 1900, the White Company built steam-powered vehicles, and by 1911 were producing four- and six-cylinder internal combustion cars. By 1917, the company had branched out into the truck-building business and just a few cars were being made by special order. These 'specials' were built until 1936. The White Company made trucks until 1980 after absorbing both Autocar and REO.

White cars employed hard maple wood frames clothed with lightweight aluminum bodies. The '60' Model GF was equipped with a six-cylinder long-stroke engine delivering 60 horsepower. The engine was backed by a four-speed transmission and used an 18-volt electric starter. The original cost was approximately $5,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Touring

The first White automobiles, beginning in 1900, were powered by steam. Thomas White who built sewing machines bought an early steam car and found it unreliable. His son Rollin found ways to improve the steam system and, along with his brothers, convinced their father to let them use part of the plant to build cars. They were quite successful in making steam cars and in 1911 began producing 4- and 6-cylinder internal combustion cars.

By 1917 the White Company was well established in the truck business and just a few cars were being made by special order. These 'specials' continued until 1936. The White Company made trucks until 1980 after absorbing both Autocar and REO.

The 1911 White automobiles, built in Cleveland, Ohio, came with a monoblock, L-head, 4-cylinder engine with 30 horsepower and 4-speed transmission, capable of 35 to 40 miles-per-hour. By 1917 the 4-cylinder engine featured much more displacement, 16 valves, magneto ignition, and an 18-volt starter-generator that was nearly as big as the engine.

In 1912 this Model 60 was introduced with a 6-cylinder engine rated at 60 horsepower and the same 4-speed transmission. With a wood frame and aluminum skin, it sold new for around $5,000. This may be one of only two 7-passenger Model 60 touring cars left.

This car was restored from a rolling chassis and 15 boxes containing various pieces were to be reassembled. The restoration took over two years to complete.