1911 Speedwell Series 11 50HP

Dayton, Ohio was home to the Wright brothers who were to first to master controlled powered flight. The town, during the turn of the 19th century, held more patents per capita than any other place in the United States. It was only fitting that this town also produced great automobiles - the Speedwell.

The designers of the Speedwell created a sporting and powerful automobile that was elegantly engineered for its intended purpose. In 1910, the Speedwell cars and the Wright aircraft were produced in the same factory building. Powering the cars was a Speedwell four-cylinder motor that offered 50 horsepower, making it more than capable of sustaining high speeds. The transmission with a three-speed unit with no 'stump puller' gears.

The exterior designs of the Speedwells were inspired by multiple parts of the automotive industry. The radiators were similar to those found on the Mercedes, Simplex, and other automakers. For 1911, the Speedwell Model 11 was available in over a dozen body styles resting on two platform sizes - a 121-inch footprint and a larger 132-inch frame. Most of the bodies, including the Toy Tonneau, rested on the 121-inch wheelbase. The Cruiser and 7-passenger Tourer had the larger 132-inch size.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge auction presented by Bonhams. It was estimated to sell for $195,000-$225,000 but bidding fell short of the estimate and it would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011