To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$50,000 - $70,000
- An early Detroit sports car; one of just two known
survivors
- Acquired from the collection of John B. McMullen
- Beautifully preserved concours restoration by Brian Joseph
- Featured in Dennis Adler's Speed & Luxury: The Great Cars
THE OAKLAND SPEEDSTER: A THING ALIVE
Oakland was one of the founding marques of General Motors in 1908,
and later gave birth to the "junior" Pontiac, which succeeded it
entirely in 1932. Most of its models were well-engineered, solid,
but not particularly sporting, with the major exception of its
speedster model of the mid-Teens. It was based upon the same
architecture as other Oaklands of the time, with a 40-hp, 192.4-cu.
in. four-cylinder engine and three-speed transmission, but the
light bodywork sang of the speedway. The factory copywriters
bragged of its lightness of line and weight, noting its "High speed
Oakland-Northway motor - responsive, silent, smooth-running, giving
a quick and easy 'pickup' that makes it seem like a thing ALIVE . .
. "
Only two surviving Oakland speedsters are known, the 1915 Model 37
in the Guyton Collection, and a 1916 Model 38 of virtually
identical specifications in the renowned Simeone Foundation
Automobile Museum.
THIS SPEEDSTER
The Guyton Oakland was acquired from the renowned collection of
John B. McMullen in 2007. It had been acquired by Mr. McMullen from
an owner in Canada in 1993, and restored by Brian Joseph's renowned
Classic & Exotic Service of Troy, Michigan. In a recent
conversation, Mr. Joseph noted that the Oakland was an excellent
basis for restoration; most of the original sheet metal was able to
be preserved, aside from the deck behind the seats. The extensive
level to attention included reproducing the correct hardware for
the spare tire carrier and the top, and having a correct radiator
core manufactured to the proper specifications.
Following completion of the restoration, the Oakland was judged
Best of Show at the 1994 Pontiac Oakland Club International
Convention in Springfield, Illinois, among many other awards earned
across the country. It was also photographed by Dennis Adler at
Meadow Brook Hall in Michigan and featured in his book, Speed and
Luxury: The Great Cars.
Today the Oakland is well preserved, with its beautiful dove grey
and black color scheme in excellent condition, beautiful nickel
trim, and rich red leather upholstery showing only light patina,
and an attractive black canvas top elaborately fitted between the
bucket seats. The headlamps and taillight are electric, and an
electric starter is fitted. The car is accompanied by a history
file, including various correspondence from over the years, as well
as magazine articles and original copies of the instruction book
and price list for the model.
It is also royally beautiful, down to the tiniest details, and sure
to continue turning heads at show fields all over the country, just
as it has for many years. As Mr. Guyton wrote in his notes on the
Oakland, "It is great fun to drive - top up or down!" To view this
car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit
the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.
