Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Auburn
Fall event, 30 August - 2 September 2018.
Estimate:
$125,000 - $150,000
Custom speedster coachwork built in period Run in period at the
Bonneville Salt FlatsFully restored to 1932 racing
configuration
The 1930 Hupmobile Bonneville Speedster is a great example of the
cars that once graced the Bonneville Salt flats, a place where
modified cars of all types were brought to test their limits.
Bought new on 7 May in 1930 by Dr. Robert Knoch of Denver,
Colorado, Dr. Knoch would turn a then standard Hupmobile sedan into
a boat-tail speedster. Dr. Knoch took the car to the Niederhut
Carriage Company to have it fitted with a boat-tailed body.
In 1933, Knoch was able to execute a second series of upgrades to
the car. He sought out to purchase the racing engine and parts used
in the famous "Hupp Comet" from the 1932 Hupmobile Indy car.
Russell Snowberger, who had been campaigning the "Hupp Comet,"
decided to return the engine and its parts back to the Hupmobile
company after the 1932 racing season. In 1933, Hupmobile sold the
car's drivetrain to Dr. Knoch.
In 1934, the car received a round of mechanical upgrades, which
included achieving a higher compression ratio. This was
accomplished by installing new piston heads and special aluminum
gaskets, as well as altering the depth of the sparkplugs. While the
compression ratio raised the power of the engine, it was not
enough. Dr. Knoch reached out to the Ethyl Gasoline Company for
recommendations on how to increase performance by modifying the
fuel. Utilizing the additive Benzol, Dr. Knoch had the ingenious
idea to a fit a separate tank that would bleed Benzol into the
carburetors, further upgrading the car's power.
In 1935, Dr. Knoch finally raced the car at the Bonneville salt
flats, achieving a top speed of 135 mph, this according to the 1977
edition of Cars & Parts. Seeking to go faster, Dr. Knoch decided to
upgrade the car's rear gear ratios for his return to Bonneville in
1937. Unfortunately, public records do not indicate whether or not
Dr. Knoch was able to break his previous record. Between 1938 and
1939, documentation provided by the current owner indicates Dr.
Knoch continued to make improvements to the car. Whether or not the
car returned to Bonneville is a mystery.
After 1939, ownership of the car transferred to Don Crites of
Denver, Colorado. From there, the car went to Frank Kleptz of Terre
Haute, Indiana. In recent years, the drivetrain was taken out and
returned to John Snowberger, son of Russell Snowberger, in order to
restore his father's "Hupp Comet." As for the "Bonneville Hupp,"
Snowberger sold the body and chassis to its current owner who
restored the car to its 1932 racing configuration.
A stunning example of Bonneville history this 1930 Hupmobile
Bonneville Speedster harkens back to the very early days of hot
rodding and time trial racing. With its period modifications,
documented history, and impressive restoration to its 1932
configuration, this unique Hupmobile is sure ignite "Salt Fever."To
view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AF18.
