Vehicle Description
Beautiful older restoration. Proven tour car with numerous upgrades
including electric start. Runs and drives great, surprisingly
smooth and easy to master. EMF has a strong following so parts and
advice are easy to find. Ideal for Brass & Gas tours!EMF stands for
Everitt, Metzger, and Flanders, the names of the three industry
players who joined forces to create an all-new automobile. Enjoying
some success, they eventually moved into second place in terms of
production behind the venerable Model T-not too shabby! The
company's history is easy to learn, so we won't explain it here,
but it's important to note that EMF provides an important
cornerstone to the early automotive industry in a variety of ways,
not the least of which was becoming Studebaker in 1913. In 1912,
the final year of production, the Model 30 was their
top-of-the-line, a car comparable to, say, a Buick Model 29 in
terms of price, performance, and comfort. It's quite a bit larger
than a Model T, but has tidy enough proportions to be easy to
handle and move around. This car's restoration was completed
perhaps 20 years ago by noted expert Clay Green and in the years
since it has been owned by a passionate brass car enthusiast who
has used it on dozens of brass car tours. It is 100% a driver, and
that's only a good thing. The handsome touring bodywork is finished
in burgundy, an appropriate color to the early part of the 20th
century, and it's accentuated with a lot of gold pinstriping that
matches the brass fittings throughout. It presents quite nicely
with a few signs of use and age but nothing substantial that needs
attention or rework. All the brass is in excellent condition with a
soft shine that's easy to maintain yet still looks ornate. Of note,
it carries all its original EMF-branded lamps and that cylindrical
device below the radiator is a period Ever-Ready self-starter,
essentially a giant clock spring that winds itself as you drive (it
is disconnected and we do not know if it is functional, but remains
a very desirable accessory). It also includes a Python-style horn,
running-board-mounted tool box, and even a rear license plate
bracket. It's really a handsome car.The interior is traditional
button-tufted black leather that was quite nicely done and remains
quite comfortable for long drives. Also note the unique
fleur-de-lis rubber mat and large wooden steering wheel with
controls for the throttle and spark. An accessory Stewart
speedometer shows 12,533 miles, a figure which we believe is an
accurate reading since new, and the 8-day clock ticks away when you
wind it (gently!). Controls are familiar, with a traditional
3-speed shifter to your right, and the only oddity is the
center-mounted accelerator pedal between the clutch and brake-most
drivers use the hand throttle anyway. Rear seat space is
practically big enough to stand up and for two passengers it's
remarkably comfortable. The top is showing some age but is
perfectly functional as-is, with a correct rear window and a full
set of side curtains.The 226 cubic inch inline-4 is a remarkably
smooth and torquey powerplant that makes the EMF feel capable on
the road. Thanks to a cleverly integrated starter system that is
100% bolt-on and using a belt on the flywheel, it spins over easily
and fires with just a little choke every time. It's almost spooky
how reliably this car starts. It feels surprisingly sophisticated
and makes pleasant mechanical sounds without sounding like it's
going to clatter itself apart. It's equipped with priming cups but
you'll never need them-just a little choke when it's cold. The
magneto has been recently rebuild, which surely helps its strong
starting performance, and it runs nice and cool. It's dressed in
the same off-white enamel that covers the chassis, offering a nice
contrast to the burgundy bodywork and like many brass cars, there's
more ornate pinstriping to highlight the mechanical bits. The
transmission is a 3-speed manual and you'll need to brush up on
your double-clutching, but it's easy to master and a lot of fun to
drive. Brakes are effective for the car's size and performance and
the rear end is augmented with a remote oiler so that it can be
lubricated after each drive-lack of lubrication has been known to
damage EMF rear axles. The exhaust features a built-in whistle
that's actuated by the T-handle on the floor of the front seat and
the battery is stashed in back where it's easy to access (note that
the starter acts as a generator, so it charges while you drive).
Ride quality is good and those towering wheels are outfitted with
brand new Firestone NON-SKID tires.Well-sorted brass cars are
incredibly difficult to find. There are a lot around, but trying to
find one that isn't full of ham-fisted repairs or incorrect parts
can be a challenge. This Model 30 is a proven tour car with great
reliability that's easy to drive, even for a first-timer. If your
tastes run to something a little older and a little more unique, or
you're an experienced hobbyist looking to enjoy a great segment of
the hobby, look no further than this awesome EMF. Call
today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or
professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to
purchase.
