See the license plate- it's true- they only made one- and that was in the early '80s. That one belongs to Speedy Bill.
From wikipedia: The Ruxton was a front-wheel drive automobile produced by the New Era Motors Company of New York, New York, USA during 1929 and 1930. The car was the brainchild of William Muller and was built in the Moon Motor Car factory in St. Louis, Missouri. Kissel Motors of Hartford, Wisconsin, also built a limited number of Ruxtons; it produced the car’s transmission and running gear for its duration. <table id="toc" class="toc" summary="Contents"> <tbody><tr> <td> Contents [hide] 1 A car designed to sell to an automotive company 2 Moon, Kissel, Ruxton Connection 3 After effects 4 External links </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ if (window.showTocToggle) { var tocShowText = "show"; var tocHideText = "hide"; showTocToggle(); } //]]> </script> [edit] A car designed to sell to an automotive company While employed in the engineering department of the Budd Body Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Muller convinced his employer to invest in developing a front wheel drive prototype automobile. Budd would then sell the rights to the car to an automotive company which would contract with Budd for the body work. While Muller designed the drive train, Joseph Ledwinka designed the body for the car and the project was completed in 1928. In an era when the American automobile had an average height of six feet from the ground to the level plain of the roof, Muller’s car was only 53 inches high, a feat accomplished by eliminating the drive shaft to the rear wheels. Ledwinka accentuated the lowness to ground through the elimination of the running boards. Instead of attracting an automotive producer, Muller’s concept car attracted the attention of Archie Andrews, a member of Budd’s Board who also sat on the Board of Hupmobile. Andrews recognized the possibilities of producing the car and made it possible for Muller and Budd to present the idea to Hupp. When Hupp passed on the car, Andrews took on the project himself, and with Muller formed New Era Motors which would market the car. Still, Andrews lacked an ability to build the car, and hoped-for support from Peerless, Gardner and Marmon failed to materialize. [edit] Moon, Kissel, Ruxton Connection In November 1929, Moon Motors of St. Louis reached an agreement to build the car, which Andrews had by then named the Ruxton, after William V.C. Ruxton, an investor Andrews hoped would support the project; Ruxton didn’t support the project, but it bore his name whether he wanted it to or not. Ultimately, Ruxton sued Andrews simply for the purpose of stating that he in no way supported Andrews or the car itself<sup class="noprint Template-Fact">[citation needed]</sup>. Unhappy with Moon's attention to the project, Andrews attempted to take over controlling interest in the company by buying up its stock. Ultimately, Andrews assumed control of the moribund company, much to the chagrin of its President C.W. Burst, who barricaded himself in the company headquarters in protest. Despite lawsuits and counter suits, the Ruxton went into regular production in June 1930. When Ruxton finally went on sale, some models sported Joseph Urban color schemes designed to lengthen the appearance of the car through broad bands of white intermixed with vivid colors such as blue, lavender and navy blue [1]. Many, but not all, Ruxtons featured the cat-like Woodlight headlights; while sleek, their performance paled in comparison to normal headlights. Most Ruxton owners soon learned that they either drove their cars during the daylight, or had them retrofitted with normal headlights or auxiliary driving lights. Andrews also entered into a deal with Kissel of Hartford, Wisconsin, to build the transmissions and drive lines. With Moon failing, Andrews turned to Kissel to build the cars, and while the project appeared to be on course, again Andrews grew impatient and started buying Kissel stock in preparation for another take over. Unlike Moon which tried to fight off Andrews, the Kissel Brothers rebelled by filing for receivership in November 1930, and production of the Ruxton came to an abrupt end less than four months after it was introduced. [edit] After effects After the Ruxton debacle, Andrews set his sights on rescuing Hupp, whether it wanted to be rescued or not. While he was able to seize control of the company, his tenure was short and Andrews was removed by angry shareholders. He died in 1938. Moon Motors legal entanglements continued through the courts until 1965, at which time 355 creditors held claim to the remaining assets of $26,000. Kissel emerged from its receivership as the Kissel Manufacturing Company and later was merged into the West Bend Aluminum Company. With a total production of some 500 vehicles, the Ruxton is recognized as a Classic Car by the Classic Car Club of America.
The triple colors was sort of their trademark. I have a picture of one just like that but the scheme is light blue, a light purple, and medium blue
I have seen that car in person at Speedy Bill's museum. Very elegant. I have also been to the Kissell Museum in Hartford, WI and it is very high quality as well.
The yellowish car that starts this thread is a Tishman Bucciali. Often known just as a Bucciali. That thing was front wheel drive. As I recall only two were built. Still amazing though!
Nope, not a Ruxton, it's a replica Bucciali, built in the 80's using a small block Chevy turbocharged and running on Propane and a full size Blazer driveline with a scratch built chassis and steel body for land developer Bill Tishman of Chicago. It was a replica of the 1932 Paris Auto Show car that mysteriously disappeared in the middle of the night before opening day. Supposedly there are pics of it on the show floor on the night before opening day and it was gone the next morning. Paul Albert Bucciali built 6 cars total, some with Minerva sleeve valve engines, some with Sterns- Knight engines, this one has a Voisin V-12.
McKee, isn't the black one also a recreation? I thought that no authentic Buccialis were known to exist.
Finished in the late 70's Tishman's car is kindda a sad story..... He wanted the original so badly he spend qubic $$$$ building his version of it... Only to have Don William's at Blackhawk find the original. Tishman is a very nice and very rich guy........ he just put the car away....... I did see it run as the Pace car at Willow Springs once. Shit he spend a bunch of money ......... even cast his own wheels. I am also sure Don would sell him the original but as far as I know it just never happened. I still look at Tishman as the classic patron. Spared no expense to create his dream.
Jean Harlow's Ruxton was at Mike McMannis' old car junk yard in the 60's His place was where the Harbor and San Diego Freeways meet..... lots of old great stuff Across the street was Onstead's with a wonderful collection of old sports car stuff......... both guys would let a young guy wander alone thru their stuff Harlow's car was light blue, black and dark blue. Just sat there for years
I was lucky enough to see a blue Ruxton roadster 10-15 years ago. I'd never heard of one First time I had seen Woodlites, too Belonged to a mid-Tenn collector with a Yenko Camaro collection to die for(one of every color!) and some other fine musclecars. The Ruxton sorta seemed out of place there...to me anyway
i just need to know where i can get a pair of them head lights anyone know please pm me or what ever thanks
That black Bucciali is a local car. I got a chance a month ago to crawl around the car, its amazing. The front universals are the size of bowling balls. Alot of it is made out of brass or bronze. The fenders are just below the hood line. And the V12 Voisin is a work of art. It doesnt show up well in the picture, but there is a giant brass duck or swan on the side. kinda silly looking. When I become a 1920's gangster, this is the car I will drive! (minus the duck)
BJ just sold one of the first Ruxton prototypes that was a short wheelbase roadster which originally was supposed to be sporting a blower. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/12/20/073906.html
Wow those cars CAME from the factory chopped and channeled, and us hot rodders thought we came up with that.
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