Vehicle Description
Incredible survivor with just 11,715 original miles. Three owners
from new, one repaint in the 1950s. One of 473 built and fewer than
25 remain. Recently serviced, runs very well, beautiful in every
detail! This 1920 Brewster-Knight Town Landaulet is a remarkable
piece of history that demonstrates the remarkable quality and style
that was unique to Brewster & Co. It was repainted once in the
1950s, when the second owner purchased it from the estate of the
first owner, apparently an industrialist from Pittsburgh, PA. His
name is lost to the sands of time, but the car remained in the
second owner's possession for nearly 50 years before being sold to
the most recent owner in the early 2000s. That second owner
repainted the car in its original dark blue livery, which
accurately replicates the bespoke colors and varnishing techniques
Brewster used. There are, of course, some minor signs of age but
the 70-year-old lacquer is holding up beautifully and could almost
pass for original itself. Of course, they replicated the original
white pinstripes that outline the ornate coachwork and highlight
the 'Brewster curve' ahead of the rear doors. The round radiator
shell is practically a carbon copy of the Delauney-Belleville, and
for an expensive car, the use of bright trim is restrained. A few
nickel fittings such as door handles and headlight rings dress up
the Brewster, but this was a vehicle that didn't need to call
attention to itself with excessive jewelry. The interior is a
familiar combination of utilitarian and lavish. Up front, the
driver was treated to black leather, which was durable and
weatherproof, while the rear compartment is trimmed in expensive
wool broadcloth that could be tailored to each client's individual
tastes. The 100-year-old leather in the front compartment is
obviously showing its age and has been amateurishly repaired using
black duct tape, and that might be the biggest demerit on the
entire car. There's a full array of instruments, from the Warner
speedometer and 8-day rim-wind clock to an ammeter, temperature
gauge, and oil pressure gauge. The roof over the driver-in fact
both front and rear roofs are collapsible-tucks into the header
above the driver's seat, but there is no other weather protection
for the front seat occupants. The rear compartment is lavishly
appointed with expensive looking and feeling wool broadcloth and
it's in remarkable condition with few signs of age. Brewster is
largely credited with inventing roll-down windows as we currently
know them, and there are cranks in the doors plus one for the
divider between front and rear compartments. The well-finished
headliner neatly disguises the fact that the top does indeed fold
fully and the window frames are hinged to swing out of sight,
making this an open 4-door touring car (obviously we did not
attempt to fold either of the 100-year-old leather tops). Other
accoutrements include a speaker system for communicating
instructions to the driver, an overhead reading lamp, and a Waltham
clock. Brewster licensed the Knight sleeve valve engine design but
the 276.5 cubic inch 4-cylinder engine was of their own
specifications and manufacture. Not designed for speed, it is
nonetheless smooth and torquey, requiring minimal shifting and the
sleeve valve engine is as smooth and quiet as you would expect.
Thanks to a 12-volt electrical system, this Brewster spins to life
almost instantly and settles into a smooth, quiet idle without a
lot of drama. On the road it pulls nicely, but again it is
important to remember that this was a city car and effortlessness
was the goal. As a result, it is comfortable at about 35
MPH-there's more on tap, but it settles in nicely at cruising speed
and pulls easily from low RPM in high gear. The 3-speed manual
transmission is not synchronized, so it requires some familiarity
and a quick double-clutch to master it, and it seems to work better
as it warms up. The steering is shockingly precise and it tracks
straight with minimal corrections required to keep it on course.
Brakes are effective and more than adequate for the car's modest
performance. It does emit a wisp of smoke at speed, but it is well
within acceptable levels for a sleeve valve engine, and it has been
recently serviced by early car expert David Heinrichs. It does run
a little hot after a longer drive, so we might recommend servicing
the cooling system before using it for extended touring, and those
35x5 tires are probably 70 years old themselves, so replacements
might be in order. We did not expect to like this car as much as we
do. It's presence is imposing-it is not another one of those
spindly, delicate-looking early cars. The craftsmanship is tangible
in every single part and the driving experience is far less
primitive than you would expect. Master its idiosyncrasies and it
is a delightful machine that will always attract attention,
regardless of the event. Call today! Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
