Vehicle Description
After parting ways with his brother Charles at the Duryea Motor
Wagon Co., J. Frank Duryea set off on his own to form Hampden
Automobile & Launch Co. in Springfield, Massachusetts. Soon after
setting up shop, with the very first prototype just completed, the
J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company acquired a controlling interest in
the business and the Hampden car was renamed Stevens-Duryea. The
original Hampden prototypes were simple, 2-cylinder runabouts with
tiller steering, and once they were refined for production, sold
for about $1200 under the Stevens-Duryea name. Rapid development
saw the Stevens-Duryea range gain a 20hp four-cylinder engine with
unique three-point engine mounting system in 1905, which the
company touted as providing superior protection to the drivetrain
on rough roads. Period advertising boasted their success at
hillclimb events against cars of twice the horsepower output and
claimed"In order to get all of your engine power to the rear
wheels, you must have a STEVENS-DURYEA THREE POINT SUSPENSION". As
early as 1906, Stevens-Duryea offered both four and six cylinder
models that helped the company quickly move up market. By 1915,
financial troubles had struck and despite selling off the armament
side of the business to raise capital, banks and creditors demanded
J. Frank Duryea build less expensive models if he were to receive
any more capital - a condition that he refused to accept. As a
result, the plant was sold to Westinghouse to support domestic
efforts for World War I. In 1919 a group of former employees led by
Ray S. Deering bought the rights to the Stevens-Duryea name and
revived production. Incidentally, Mr. Deering later went on to
purchase Rauch and Lang, makers of electric cars. Unfortunately for
Mr. Deering, the refreshed and updated version of the old Model S
was not enough to keep the business afloat, especially considering
inflation caused the price to climb to an astounding $9500 in 1920.
Stevens-Duryea entered receivership in 1922 emerging only to build
cars to special order until 1927 at which time the doors were
closed for good, the final chapter for this prestigious early
American marque. This lovely 1910 Stevens-Duryea Model X tourer was
restored beginning in 2003 and completed in 2010 and has since
proven itself as both a worthy show car and an outstanding tour
car. The Stevens-Duryea Model X was a prestigious automobile in its
day; the 124" wheelbase machine costing $2850 in basic
specification for 1910. First purchased in 1910 by the Frank Cavin
Family of California, #16330 remained in the family's care until
the 1950s. It was then passed to Warwick Eastwood, who was known by
his peers in the Horseless Carriage Club as "Mr. Stevens-Duryea".
He began to track all Stevens-Duryeas and form a registry, and he
maintained several examples, counting the Model X as his favorite
of the marque. The car then passed through a few more hands before
ending up with Mr. Bennett of Arizona who completed restoration of
16330 as it is appears today. The presentation on this fine Model X
is very handsome, with a maroon body with black accents and red
coach lines, the theme continuing on the wood-spoke artillery
wheels. The quality of the restoration is excellent, with fine
detailing and excellent quality finishing. Brass fittings have been
beautifully polished to a high gloss. From the front, Stevens
headlights flank a brass radiator shell which is topped with a
Junior Arrow-Meter Motometer temp gauge. A pair of Solar coach
lamps are affixed to the cowl, with a single stop light in the
rear, and the lamps are powered by a Solar Acetylene tank on the
running board. A big brass horn, brass windscreen frame and other
hardware add plenty of visual appeal to this handsome touring car.
The expansive cabin accommodates five passengers, with seating
upholstered in period-correct black buttoned leather which still
appears very fresh and free of excessive wear. Pyramid-pattern
rubber mats line the floors as original. As typical for a brass-era
automobile, instrumentation is limited, in this case a large
Stewart speedometer and a Stewart-Clark clock give you all the
information you need. The split windscreen folds for a more
open-air motoring experience, but should the weather take a turn, a
full folding canvas top (an additional $150 option in 1910) keeps
occupants protected. The top is in excellent condition, with very
good fitment on the restored framework. The reliable and robust
T-head four cylinder engine, rated quite conservatively at 24
horsepower, presents very nicely, with proper, period appropriate
detailing. Since the restoration, the engine remains very tidy and
certainly worthy of show, it has been proven on tour in the hands
of its most recent owner. It runs strong, starts easily and
provides prodigious torque. Period advertising material touted the
Stevens-Duryea's "Standardized Operating Levers" and "self-finding
quadrant" gear change which allowed for easy operation as opposed
to some more complex arrangements of their competitors. The ease of
operation still rings true today, as this motorcar is a delight to
drive and is very approachable even for brass-car novices. There is
no experience quite like that of piloting an automobile that is
more than a century old. This Stevens-Duryea is a wonderful example
that has proven itself as a reliable, enjoyable tour car yet
remains beautiful enough to be shown with pride. For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5915-1910-stevens-duryea-model-x-touring/