- Rare Columbus, Ohio-built make
- One of a handful believed to exist
- Advanced technical specification
In 1909 the Columbus Buggy Company of Columbus, Ohio, entered the
upper end of the market with the $1,800 Firestone-Columbus, named
for company president Clinton Dewitt Firestone. Touted as "The Car
Complete," it was a baby tonneau with a 35-horsepower four-cylinder
engine and a 110-inch wheelbase.
The Firestone-Columbus was very advanced for its day, with
left-hand steering and a drop-center chassis by 1910, center gear
change in 1911, and an acetylene starter when most others were
experimenting with compressed air. In 1911 chief designer and
engineer Lee Frayer, with an adventurous youngster named Eddie
Rickenbacker who had worked with him at Miller-Frayer, took a
Firestone-Columbus to the first Indianapolis 500. Starting in 26th
place and co-driving the Red Wing Special, they managed to finish
13th. Rickenbacker, initially the chief testing engineer for
Firestone-Columbus, became a district sales manager before leaving
to join Fred Duesenberg at the Mason Motor Company.
This Firestone-Columbus was acquired by the Merrick Auto Museum in
2001 from Platinum Classic Motorcars in East Rochester, New York.
Restored in burgundy with black fenders, it has gold pinstriping.
The seats are upholstered in black buttoned leather. The rumble or
"mother-in-law" seat at the rear is unusual for being full-width,
making the car a four-passenger vehicle. Brass Solar headlamps are
supplied by a Presto-Lite tank with gauge, which is also connected
to the sidelamps, which retain their kerosene canisters. There is
also a storage compartment under the rear floor. The car is
believed to have very low mileage, as there is no noticeable wear
on the pedals or steering wheel.
The number of surviving Firestone-Columbus cars, of all types, is
believed to be seven or eight. This car is certainly one of the
best.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
