Vehicle Description
The Pope automobile empire had its beginnings in Boston following
the Civil War when Col. Albert A. Pope established the Pope
Manufacturing Company, which focused primarily on building patented
items for other companies. Wheeled transport soon followed with
Pope-branded bicycles. The bicycle business would set Colonel Pope
on the path to an industrial empire when, in 1899, he created the
American Bicycle Company, which was a conglomeration of some 45
bicycle companies - a General Motors of bicycles, of sorts. As the
American bicycle craze settled down, Pope moved on to motorized
transportation with his first car sold under the Columbia name,
which was shared with his premier bicycle brand. Numerous other
Pope-emblazoned cars would follow such as Pope-Toledo,
Pope-Robinson, Pope-Tribune and Pope-Waverly. Some brands focused
purely on entry-level offerings, while the cars like the
Pope-Hartford offered a high level of prestige. Not only was it
among the most prestigious of the multiple Pope brands (second only
to the Toledo) but the Pope-Hartford was also the longest lasting,
surviving from 1904-1914. In 1911, two models were offered by
Pope-Hartford - the Model W and the Model Y. The model W was
powered by a huge 450 cubic inch four-cylinder engine that was
rated for 50 horsepower which incidentally, matched the output of
the six-cylinder Model Y. Most of the bodies offered were of the
multi-passenger type, such as the 7-passenger touring, limousine,
and tonneau. For buyers wanting a bit more performance, Pope
offered the Club Roadster, also known as the "Portola" to
commemorate Jack Fleming's famous win at the inaugural Portola road
race in Oakland, CA in 1909. The Portola roadster was a sparse,
cut-down speedster with a unique feature of two rear jump seats
that could be swapped out for a flat deck with a pair of spare
wheels for racing. The Portola Roadster was fast, reliable and
proven in competition. Its engine featured internal upgrades such
as lightweight tubular pushrods, a forged crank, more aggressive
cam and lightened rods and pistons. While Col. Pope was never a fan
of motor racing, he did recognize its marketing value, and even
backed a handful of factory entrants. Several works and private
racers were built using the Portola Club Roadster as a basis,
achieving outstanding results and setting numerous speed records
along the way. This breathtaking 1911 Pope-Hartford Model W Portola
Roadster is a stunning example of Brass Era performance motoring,
exquisitely restored by the respected Stu Laidlaw of Redding,
Connecticut. Finished in gleaming black with burgundy coach
stripes, this Pope is truly stunning in every respect; an imposing
machine with incredible presence. Little is known of its earliest
history, though it is understood that this Model W resided in the
Harrah collection in the 1970s, before it was sold and restored in
the 1980s, eventually joining the collection of well-known Brass
Era collector Dick King. It is believed the body is a
reconstruction of the original, built atop a genuine Portola engine
and chassis. After its time with Dick King, the Pope-Hartford was
passed to another passionate brass-era enthusiast who continued to
show and enjoy the car as it deserved. Still appearing fresh and
impeccably detailed, the black bodywork is finished to
concours-quality standards, with outstanding paintwork on the
chassis and body components. The wooden cowl boards are exquisitely
finished, like fine antique furniture. The frame-mounted fuel tanks
and gloss black patent-leather skirts between the body and running
boards help give the Pope its low-slung appearance - despite those
massive 36" wheels. Accessories include Pope-Hartford branded Gray
& Davis headlamps, Gray & Davis cowl lamps and numerous beautifully
restored brass fittings. Instrumentation is via a Warner
speedometer and clock, while a separate gauge monitors fuel
pressure, which is boosted via a hand pump between the seats.
Running boards and floors are finished in period appropriate
linoleum panels, and the seats are beautifully trimmed in black
leather showing virtually no signs of use since the restoration was
completed in 2011. The sale will include both the jump-seat rear
deck as well as the spare-wheel carrier, which can be changed over
for the full road-racer effect. As with the rest of the car, the
detailing on the mighty 450 cubic-inch, 7.4 liter T-head four
cylinder is impeccable. It is in excellent mechanical order
throughout, showing only light use on the undercarriage since its
restoration. The chassis is as beautifully presented as the
bodywork - with fine quality paint and painstakingly striped frame,
springs and front axle. Upon completion, this outstanding
Pope-Hartford was honored with a coveted Best in Show at the 2011
Rolex Sunday in the Park Concours, part of the Lime Rock Park
Historic Festival. It has also earned a class win (Horseless
Carriage, 40+ Horsepower) at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours
d'Elegance in 2012. It has continued to impress in the hands of its
most recent owner, a passionate brass car enthusiast. The racy
Pope-Hartford Portola encapsulates the thrilling days of Brass Era
competition, when daring drivers fought for glory in grueling
conditions, pushing their potent machines to the limits of what was
thought possible of both man and machine. Deeply impressive and
with incredible road presence, this example is an exquisitely
restored motorcar that would be a thrilling entry in road events
and welcome at virtually any concours worldwide. For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6182-1911-pope-hartford-model-w-portola-roadster/