![1911 Mercedes 38/70 HP](images/Mercedes-Benz/t_11-Mercedes-70HP_DV-16-PBC_01.jpg)
![1911 Mercedes 38/70 HP](images/Mercedes-Benz/t_11-Mercedes-70HP_DV-16-PBC_010.jpg)
![1911 Mercedes 38/70 HP](images/Mercedes-Benz/t_11_Mercedes_38-70HP_DV-14-RMSJ-01.jpg)
Sold for $495,000 at 2014 Motor City Auction by RM Auctions.
Samuel Pomeroy Colt took possession of this Mercedes in Paris in June of 1912. After taking ownership, the car was used on a European tour. The car had been properly prepared for the drive, and was fitted with a hill-holder, exhaust cutout, tools and instruments. It wore seven-passenger touring coachwork by Parisian coachbuilder Vanvooren. Samuel Pomeroy Colt was the nephew of the famous arms manufacturer, and was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1852. He established the Industrial Trust Company, a commercial bank that later became part of Fleet bank, which eventually merged with Bank of America. Colt was also a successful lawyer and was appointed receiver of the National Rubber Company, which he reorganized and merged with other companies that he had acquired, forming the United States Rubber Company, the ancestor of today's Uniroyal. Mr. Colt also dabbled in politics, representing his home city of Bristol in the Rhode Island legislature. He was elected Rhode Island's Attorney General in 1882 and ran unsuccessfully for governor as a Republican in 1903. He was a progressive politician who advocated for child labor laws and advanced the cause of property rights for women. He served as aide-de-camp to Governor Henry Liggitt and was given the honorary title of Colonel as a result.
After the European tour, the car was left behind in France when the family returned home, to be used on future visits. In 1914, Col. Colt returned to Europe, but his trip was cut short due to the outbreak of war. The car was requisitioned by the French Army for staff use. After the war, the car returned to Vanvooren for refurbishment, then sent to America for use at the Colt family residence in Rhode Island.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014
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