1908 Sharp Arrow Four

Sold for $183,000 at 2008 The Richard C. Paine Jr. Collection.
Sold for $52,800 at 2013 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Auction.
Sold for $47,300 at 2013 Preserving the Automobile : An Auction at the Simeone Foundation.
During the early years of the automobile, the vehicles were basically rolling experiments. They were essentially unlimited in size or displacement and were without safety equipment. Through experimentation, development, and continued development, vehicles would evolve throughout the years.

The automotive landscape was a new and exciting field. One of the many individuals who threw their hat into the ring was William H. Sharp. He was a car dealer, race driver, and photographer. His photography studio was located in Trenton, New Jersey, next door where he operated an authorized agency for Mitchell cars. In 1908, he built his own racing car which was entered in several East Coast races, including the Long Island Sweepstakes where he won his class. The vehicle was called the Sharp Arrow

In December 1908, William H. Sharp formed the Sharp Arrow Automobile Company. Joined in this venture was his brother Fred, who had been his race mechanic. Also joining the company was local businessmen A.N. Yetter, F.W. Bennett, and J.R. Farlee. John A. Roebling agreed to produce the car for the Sharp brothers in the Trenton plant where the Walter was being built and where the new Mercer would soon be produced.

During the first lap of pre-race practice, William Sharp was involved in an accident. The accident killed his mechanic instantly. Sharp died two days after. The Sharp Arrow marque also died that day, with its production of Trenton-built cars being its whole history.

The Sharp Arrow is celebrated as the inspiration for the Mercer Raceabout, one of America's great sports cars.

This Sharp Arrow Runabout is believed to be a faithful recreation of its namesake, built using mainly proprietary components from its contemporary manufacturers. The car has existed for more than 50 years.

The car was acquired for its present European Collection ownership from the Richard C. Paine, Jr. Collection in 2007. It was purchased by Mr. Paine from W.J. and Genevieve N. Boden of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, noted pioneering collectors of the 1950s.

The car is powered by a 5x5 inch L-head four-cylinder engine of 393 cubic inches, with a Stromberg carburetor and dual ignition by magneto and battery and coil. Right-hand drive, it is equipped with Rushmore acetylene headlights and a cowl-mounted Rose acetylene searchlight, but does not have an acetylene generator or Prest-o-lite tank. The two-seat runabout body has a pair of bucket seats, dual spare tires mounted at the rear, a luggage or tool box, and a cylindrical bolster tank.

Prior to being displayed at the Paine Collection/seal Cove Museum, it was given a restoration.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2013