History We ALL Love a DARE! PIX of TRULY Extinct Makes?

Dusty Delahaye

A Barn-Find Dream

August 9, 2011



This 1949 Delahaye is a rare, unrestored survivor. It was originally sold new in Morocco and eventually came to the U.S. when it was bought by a serviceman.

By Lisa Peterson, Bob DeKorne and John Lyons

As the barn door slowly opened, a ray of sun lit up a rare and beautiful car that had been resting quietly for decades, waiting to be rediscovered. It was exactly what every car guy dreams.

Old Cars Weekly subscriber Jeff Carter, owner of JC Auto Restoration, lived the dream when he came upon an exotic European automobile a little out of his area of expertise. As an authority on the restoration of Chrysler Corp. vehicles for more than 30 years, Carter has operated JC Auto Restoration and enjoyed the search for Chrysler cars and parts. A few years ago, Carter followed a lead for several Chrysler 300s tucked away on a farm in eastern Washington State. He and his wife, Lisa, followed up on the lead, and not only did they find and purchase five Chryslers, but they also found something even more extraordinary.



While examining the Chrysler 300s, they were invited to look inside the seller’s barn. As the owner’s wife unlocked the door, the rear end of what was undoubtedly a significant European sports car came into view with the words “Delahaye Competition” proudly displayed on the decklid. There, before their eyes, rested a dusty 1949 Delahaye 135M four-seat cabriolet with beautiful custom coachwork by Henri Chapron. So complete was the Delahaye, it retained all its bits down to the linkage on its three carburetors.

French connection

Émile Delahaye, the founder of the Delahaye Co., was born in Tours, France, in 1843. As a mechanical engineer, Delahaye worked for several small companies before purchasing his own business in which he fabricated internal combustion engines. At the age of 51, he built his own car.
Delahaye was one of the first to use racing as a means to promote his vehicles. In 1896, Émile Delahaye entered the Paris-Marseilles-Paris race as an owner-driver. The results were astounding, and the demand for Delahaye vehicles was strong, which necessitated opening a second factory.



Due to failing health, Émile Delahaye retired in 1901; he sold his company to close friends Georges Morane and Léon Desmarais. Management control was then passed onto Charles Weiffenbach, a young engineer.

At the time, automotive racing was new, exciting and paramount to a manufacturer’s success. Vehicle sales were definitely stimulated by performance on the race track. However, Weiffenbach had a more conservative philosophy. His main focus and priority was to build dependable utility vehicles. These early Delahayes were not only reliable as commercial and farm vehicles, but also saw extensive service during World War I. After the war, Delahaye continued to manufacture solid, but conservative — some would say boring — automobiles and sales began to decline. It appeared the company would quietly slide into oblivion.

In 1932, Weiffenbach made the decision to radically shift the focus of the company. He hired a young hotshot engineer, Jean François, and gave him free reign to design and build elegant, beautiful and powerful automobiles. First shown in 1933 at the Paris Auto Salon, the new Delahayes captured the interest of those who seemed unaffected by the Great Depression.

There were several models and body styles of the Delahaye 135 built from 1935-’50, with a hiatus during World War II. The 135 is considered to be one of the most best-remembered and prestigious vehicles produced by the company.




Well-known coachbuilders such as Henri Chapron, Figoni et Falaschi, Letourneur & Marchand, Saoutchik, Franay and Guilloré were tasked with outfitting the 135 model with coachwork. Many feel that Henri Chapron, the coachbuilder of this car, created the most elegant designs. No two 135s were exactly alike, and with a sleek, low-slung chassis as a starting point, Delahayes with coachwork by these famous builders won numerous awards for styling and design.

The 3.2-liter, six-cylinder engine with either single or triple Solex carburetors produced an impressive amount of power, ranging from 96 to 135 hp over its 15-year model run.



Dusting off the Delahaye

With this significant history, it is no wonder the Carters were very excited about the Delahaye they had seen. However, the did not follow the couple home at the time they purchased several Chryslers from its owner.

Over the subsequent years, the couple maintained close contact with the owners of the Delahaye, developing a long-lasting friendship. This past spring, they got a phone call asking, “Would you be interested in purchasing the Delahaye?” What other answer was there? This was the opportunity of a lifetime.

The pair travelled back to the farm to carefully photograph and document the vehicle. Returning to Seattle, Lisa began researching the history of the Delahaye. She learned that it was sold new in Morocco and still sported its original Moroccan license plate. In 1957, an Air Force pilot serving in Morocco traded in his 1955 Lincoln convertible for the Delahaye. She interviewed the now 81-year-old veteran twice, and he fondly recalled the car. He told her that he bought it with almost no miles on it; the car had been in storage for most of its life and was essentially a brand-new car. He recalled that he “felt like a sheikh driving all across Morocco!”




When the veteran’s service was completed, he had the car shipped to New Orleans and eventually drove it to California, then to Spokane, Wash. It was his only car, so he continued to drive it for several more years before eventually trading it to the Empire Lincoln Mercury dealer in Spokane in 1964. Its next owner was a jeweler from a small town in eastern Washington who kept it for a couple of years, then traded it in to Don Rohrer’s Select Cars in Spokane.

In 1966, Rohrer sold it to the owner of the farm where it remained until 2011. The car was driven very sparingly until 1971 when it was parked in a garage for safekeeping with only 61,397 miles on the odometer. It remained in the garage until 1976, when it was moved to the barn where it remained undisturbed until 2011. The car even received a light dusting of volcanic ash from the Mount St. Helens eruption on May 18, 1980.

This Delahaye 135M is significant, not only because of what it is, but because it has survived in such an original state. This 1949 Delahaye was well-optioned with three down-draft Solex carburetors, the 135-hp engine (3,495cc), and the Cotal electromagnetic transmission. It is equipped exactly as it left Henri Chapron’s carrosserie. Other than an additional coat of grey-blue paint that undoubtedly was sprayed after its time in the hot desert sun, the car is original. The red leather interior is intact, all of the many instruments are present and the engine compartment is completely unmolested.




On the firewall are two number plates that verify the significance of this car. The first is the Delahaye chassis number (801005); the second is the Chapron coachwork number (6758).The Delahaye also came with its original owner’s manual, complete with hand-written notes translating the French into English; a placard from the Spokane Motor Fair in 1962; and photographs of the car over the years.

The new owners have decided to offer the car to a European car afiscianado, the Delahaye will be sold at the Auburn Auction Main Event on Sept. 3. More details are available at

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=44&id=37

The new owner and custodian of this rare automobile will have the option of either preserving the car as an outstanding original example, or restoring it to its former glory. In either case, this Delahaye is a stunning example of extraordinary craftsmanship, proud racing heritage and elegant beauty.
The authors wish to express special thanks to Noelle Chapron for help preparing this story.



Personally, I think it is very sad that the people who followed this car for years just bought it to take to Auction and make a profit.

 

Great barn-find story, Jim! I'm just glad somebody will get it back on the highway where it belongs! BELOW is an interesting shot: 1904 REO. I wonder HOW MANY of these first-year REOs still exist!

1904 REO rear-entry, THANKS to the New York Public Library.

 

I'll tell you how many I see tomorrow at the lunch stop for the 25th Annual New London To Brighton Run. Supposed to be 80 to 100 early cars this year. I know there will be one 1905 there for sure. Early Reo's are not that uncommon.

http://antiquecarrun.org/

http://www.antiquecarrun.org/<wbr>pdf/2011registration.pdf

http://www.autoswalk.com/<wbr>component/joomlistings/ad/<wbr>view.html?adid=12445

 

1935 Lincoln V12 Model K Series 301 Judkins Berline

http://www.wwgauctions.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=224&id=37

 

I started reading this sure it was a very similar car that arrived here a few years ago for restoration along with a slightly later one, they both had Arizona plates.

 

HRG I will post some better pics as it is back in the shop. Restored about 5-7 years ago.

 

Indeed it was:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/...-stude-graveyard-and-before-the-new-wore-off/

dan

 

Jimi;

I missed that you were only looking for 1904 Reos. There are 3 1904's listed in the 2010 HCCA membership directory, two are listed as Tourings and the third body style is not identified. I would have to question 1904 as being the first year as there is also a 1903 Reo A Runabout listed.

 

GREAT facts there, SunRoofCord! If the '04s are super-scarce, as you point out, then I wonder where the 1903 would rate????

Do you suppose it was -- just MAYBE -- a one-of-a-kind and the very FIRST true REO???

 

HUGE HANKS, Foul! Gosh, how many DECADES has Hemmings been doing such
a great job? I would heartily urge HAMBers and anyone who cares about CON-
CEPTS to check these pix! WOULD YOU JUST LOOK AT THAT 'VERT?!?!?!?

 

Sunroof, that Judkins Berline is a cool car. Unfortunately the engine rebuild has to be at least 20k.

 

I think it unlikely that there are any 1903 REO cars around as Ransome Olds did not announce his intended exit from Olds Motor Works until January 1904 and the first REO car was completed on 15 October 1904, then tested for many miles, but not introduced to the public until the New York Automobile Show in January 1905. Based on that info from The Standard Catalog, there are also no 1904 REOs.
As is common, people always want next year's car when it is new but when it becomes an antique they want it to be as old as possible. There are several Essex cars here in NZ which the owners strongly believe are 1918 models. I have a 1965 Pontiac which had its block cast in July 1964 and was assembled in the first week of September 1964. Does that make it a 1964 car?

 

Obviously ReVere looked to Italy for inspiration for its radiator design. Most of the mid teens Italian cars had that radiator style - FIAT, Zust and SPA were just three of many.

 

With all of that weight to pull around, I doubt that the McFarlan was any faster than anything else of its time.

 

1902 "Geneva Steamer"



In 1900's Geneva became known for its automobile industry. The first car to be manufactured here was the "Geneva Steamer" in 1901. It was a steam driven horseless carriage, one of which is still on display at the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan. This company also made a racing model, named the "Turtle." Three years later the company sold out to the Colonial Brass Co. The second attempt at automobile manufacturing in Geneva began in 1908. E.L. Ewing began production of the Ewing Taxi with a plant crew of fifty men. This company was in business just two years and sold out to General Motors who moved the business to Flint, Michigan.

In 1920 the Heifner Motor Company announced plans to build a luxury line, including a sports car and a touring car. But gathering stock holders failed and the business produced but one sport model. By this time Genevans were skeptical about the automobile industry but this didn't stop the H.B. Young Motor Company of Cleveland from relocating their business to Geneva to produce a truck line "Little Giant." Again another auto industry failed, with the business being sold just eighteen months later. As history now shows, Geneva's greatest contribution to the auto industry was not any of these production ventures. It was, rather, in the life of Ransom E. Olds, born in Geneva in 1864, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Phiny Olds. When in his teens the family moved to Lansing, Michigan and Ransom's interest in the automobile grew and it was here the first Oldsmobile's were produced, including the "REO" named for Ransom E. Olds. Geneva proudly claims Mr. Olds as one of their most famous of native sons.

1908 - 1910 Ewing Taxi





​

Pliny Olds, Ransom Olds' father, at the wheel of a 1904 REO car. Original photo on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution.

 

Saturday, May 14, 2011

#708. 1903 Reo



Taken at the Keels and Wheels event in Seabrook, Texas a few weekends ago. If you look closely at the differential you can see that this car had a chain drive!

Title: "1903 Reo"

 

The Father of the Automobile Industry

Ranson E. Olds
1864-1950
Made his first automobile in 1887
Founder of Oldsmobile Automobile Co.
in 1897, selling the largest number of autos from 1897-1902. He sold the company in 1902 and in 1903 started the REO Automobile Company using his initials for the name. Made the first assembly line.

From: www.EarlyAmericanAutomobiles.com

 

It just proves that Studebaker didn't go down because of the cars they manufactured, economics got in the way.
Also Nash and some other great cars, that had balls enuff to reach out in engineering and style. You can,t change the public taste too fast .

After the war Studebaker came out with a bang, hit us right between the eyes with their new styling, the old six was a good one and then a rock solid ohv V8.

Nash also with their bathtub unibody and fold down seats.
I know from my own perspective I didnt appreciate them backwen.

 

Ransom Olds produced a small number of electric cars around the turn of the century. Little is known about them and none survive. The picture at left is the only known picture of one of these rare cars. It was taken at was taken at Belle Island Park, Michigan. In 1899 and 1900, electrics outsold all other type of cars and the most popular electric was the Columbia built by Colonel Albert Augustus Pope, owner of American Bicycle Company.
an interesting footnote to the Olds electric.

Please Read the Footnote.

 

I think they're mistaken, many reputable sources say REO started in August 1904 and produced their first car in 1905 ...and Sam Smith bought Olds in 1899

 

Every other source quotes the date of the first Reo as October 1904.

http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Olds,_Ransom_Eli

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z12349/REO-Model-B.aspx

http://ucapusa.com/lost_marques_reo.htm

 

Seems ehdubya and I are on the same wavelength - and both on the computer because it is too cold and snowy to go outside.

 

More Reo date confirmation;

http://www.reoclub.org/REOCentennial.html

 

Yes I only lasted 5 minutes on my last foray out to the shed so it's the modern equivalent of snuggling up with a good book.

 

I think we covered the REO Royale (this one is for sale) about 20 pages back somewhere.

 

Here's an upcoming Auction in Nebraska with some very interesting early cars;

Partial Listing of Restored and Project Vehicles: (Vehicles will be sold Approx. 11:00 on 10-1-2011): 1907 Maxwell Model RS 2 Seater- Fabulous Restored, 1908 Cadillac Model S, Restored, Beetle Back, Very Nice!, 1904 Curved Dash Oldsmobile Model C6, Older Restore, 1910 Buick Model 16, Nice Restoration, 1914 Buick Model 25- Project, RARE Ford Model NRS Model N Beetleback-project, 1908 REO Truck-project, 1907 REO Model B- Project, 1917 Overland Model 90 &#8211;project,1914 Overland Model 79, Project, 1913 Metz- project, 1910 Buick Model F-project, 2-1907 Maxwells-project/parts, 1910 Cadillac Demi-Tonnaue-project/parts, 2-1910 Cadillac-project/parts, 1906 Cadillac-Project/parts, 1914 Overland Model 59-Project/parts,1914 Overland Model 79,Project, 1912 Overland Model 69 Roadster-Project/parts, 1910 Model E Brush-Project/parts. 2- Carter Cars for Project or Parts, and poss . more&#8230;

The one I pictured looks to be the one of the Overland's, which one I have no idea???? I wonder if we can identify all of them????

http://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction_images/100/documents/Flyer.pdf

http://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auctions_pictures.php?page=1&detail=99

 

Here's a list of cars that were originally registered for the Antique Car Run last Saturday. We did not see the St. Louis but we did see a Velie that was not listed in the program.

AUTOCAR

1904 2 Cylinder Type V111 Rear Entrance Tonneau
1914 2 cylinder Model XX1 Panel Truck

BRUSH

1907 1 Cylinder Model C Runabout
1908 1 Cylinder Package Delivery Truck
1908 1 Cylinder Model B
1910 Unidentified But Looks To Be A Runabout
1910 4 Cylinder Model D

BUICK

1906 2 Cylinder Model F
1908 Touring
1908 4 Cylinder Model 10
1908 2 Cylinder Model AB Runabout
1908 Unidentified But Looks To Be Runabout
1909 2 Cylinder Model F
1910 2 Cylinder Model 14 Roadster
1910 2 Cylinder Model 14

CADILLAC

1903 1 Cylinder Model A Rear Entrance Tonneau Style
1904 1 Cylinder Model B
1906 Touring
1906 1 Cylinder Model K Roadster
1907 1 Cylinder Model K Runabout
1908 4 Cylinder Model 30 Touring
1908 1 Cylinder Model T

FORD

1903 Unidentified
1903 Model A Touring
1903 2 Cylinder Model A
1904 2 Cylinder Model C
1904 4 Cylinder Model A/C Rear Entrance Tonneau
1905 2 Cylinder Model F
1906 4 Cylinder Model N Roadster
1906 4 Cylinder Model N Runabout
1906 4 Cylinder Model N Runabout
1906 2 Cylinder Model C
1907 6 Cylinder Model K Touring
1907 Model S Runabout
1908 4 Cylinder Model S

FRANKLIN

1905 4 Cylinder Model E Roadster
1905 4 Cylinder Model F
1907 4 Cylinder Model G
1907 4 Cylinder Model D

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

1912 Unidentified
1912 Unidentified

KNOX

1903 1 Cylinder Model C

LEZEBRE

1911 1 Cylinder Runabout

LOCOMOBILE

1907 4 Cylinder Model E

MAXWELL

1908 4 Cylinder Model D Touring
1908 Touring
1908 2 Cylinder Model AC "Tourabout
1910 2 Cylinder Runabout
1910 Unidentified
1910 2 Cylinder Model AA
1911 2 Cylinder AB Roadster
1911 2 Cylinder AB Runabout
1911 2 Cylinder AB Runabout
1911 2 Cylinder AB Runabout
1911 2 Cylinder AB Runabout
1911 2 Cylinder Runabout
1912 Roadster
1912 2 Cylinder Messenger

MOLINE

1906 2 Cylinder Model G

MOON

1908 4 Cylinder Model C

NORTHERN

1905 1 Cylinder Runabout

OLDSMOBILE

1902 1 Cylinder Curved Dash
1903 Runabout (Withdrawn)
1904 Model C Curve Dash

OVERLAND

1908 Touring

RAMBLER

1908 2 Cylinder Model 1

REO

1905 1 Cylinder Runabout
1906 2 Cylinder Model A
1908 2 Cylinder "Gentleman's Roadster"
1908 Model G Runabout
1909 2 Cylinder Model D
1909 1 Cylinder Model G

ST. LOUIS

1903 1 Cylinder Runabout

STANLEY STEAMER

1909 2 Cylinder Model R Roadster
1910 2 Cylinder model 72

SEARS

1910 Runabout

WHITE

1902 Model B Steamcar ... Denver, Colorado

The following 3 cars were not on the 120 mile Saturday Run but did go on the Pre-Runs;

1906 Ford 4 Cylinder Model N
1907 Jewel
1908 Maxwell AC Roadster

As I get the pictures I took sorted out, I will post them.

 

Lots of COOL stuff today! I don't want to start, or I may leave osmething out. Good job, guys!

 

1900 or 1901 Frisbie "The Red Devil"

Russel A. Frisbie made a considerable impact on the Connecticut River towns of Cromwell and Middletown, Connecticut. Not only did he organize the Frisbie Motor Company to build engines, but he was a director of a bank. He held many patents ranging from internal combustion engines to a toy cap pistol.

Like many other mechanically-inclined men of his time, he experimented with automobiles and built six of them. His fine home on Main Street now houses the Cromwell Historical Society.

Frisbie was a member of a prominent Connecticut family. His father and grandfather had been involved in manufacturing and politics and the family owned considerable land.

One is certain to think of a flying plastic frisbee when the name Frisbie is mentioned. There is a connection; a branch of the family manufactured metal pie pans which Yale undergraduates first used as flying saucers. This gave a new word to the English language when it was found that the pie plates had aerodynamic qualities which provided an enjoyable pastime for young and old.

In 1899 Frisbie began constructing engines intended for boats, generator sets, cars, and motorcycles. His first patent, #656,539, dated August 21, 1900, was for a motorcycle engine.

During 1900-1901 he constructed his first car, the 'Red Devil.' It had a two-cylinder opposed L-head engine, water cooled and rear-mounted. He probably built five of that model.

In 1903, he exhibited a different car at the New York Auto Show at Madison Square Garden. It had a two-cylinder engine up front, in what was becoming the standard arrangement.

At this point he came up against the infamous Selden automobile patent. Henry Ford had the resources to fight the patent, but Frisbie decided to concentrate on engines rather than pay royalties. The April 20, 1905 issue of Motor Age reported that a six-cylinder Frisbie engine had been installed in a 'large touring car.' The make of the car was not given.

By 1907, his engine business had outgrown the backyard shop, so he moved less than two miles to Middletown to a building his wife owned on Main Street. There he established the Frisbie Motor and Machine Works.

All Frisbie marine engines used overhead valves by 1912. They were built in two cylinder sizes, 4? x 5 and 6x6 bore and stroke. They were offered as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6-cylinder engines covering a power range of 5 to 175 HP. All the engines used a quick-removable valve cage.

Owners were urged to carry a spare cage. That must have been a good sales feature, as frequent exhaust valve service was required in those days. Lubrication was by a mechanical lubricator with a pump to return oil from the crankcase to the lubricator. Ignition was jump-spark from an Atwater-Kent battery ignition system. An extra-cost option was dual-ignition with a magneto to supply the second spark plug.

During WWI, the factory made aircraft parts. This must have been profitable, as the company was in good financial condition after the war. The 1919 catalog offers a line of engines that were unchanged from pre-war models. There is a slowdown attachment for trolling which is simply a way to increase intake valve lash.

In 1920 Frisbie seems to have decided that he had worked long enough. Kirk Dyer bought Frisbie's share of the business and the company was reorganized with new directors. In the early Twenties, the reputation of the engines for quality and reliability was still good. Some models now had four valves per cylinder. However, the reorganization had left the company cash-poor, and this seems to have started the decline of the Frisbie Motor Company.

As for Russel Frisbie, he seems to have enjoyed his early retirement at age 46. He personally rebuilt the Sylla as a fishing boat and spent many hours casting on the Connecticut River. In the early Thirties he joined his father, Charles, at the J. & E. Stevens Company, where he designed and patented a toy cap pistol which the company produced.

In 1938, as part of the dedication of a new bridge across the Connecticut River, he refurbished the 1901 Red Devil and drove it as the first car to cross the bridge. He died in 1968 at age 94.

Here we have the Red Devil, the only surviving example of Russel Frisbie's Automotive endeavors. The car has been in a museum collection since the early 70's and is very well preserved, but will require recommissioning. Everything is nicely intact and the motor does turn freely. This is the only opportunity you will have to purchase a Frisbie since its the only one known to exist.

More Pics;

http://significantcars.com/cars/1901frisbie/

 

A mystery car from the Auction in Post 5274. Anybody have any idea what it is???? I can't make out what it says on the radiator in the garage picture.

Could it the RARE Ford Model NRS Model N Beetleback-project????