Vehicle Description
The Cartercar was the brainchild of the early American motoring
pioneer Byron J. Carter of Jackson, Michigan. Carter was an
experienced engineer, working for his family firm producing
steam-driven printing presses, rubber stamps, and more, and his
inventive spirit spawned a steam-powered horseless carriage in the
late 1800s. In 1903 he branched out of the family business to join
the Jackson automobile company with several partners. Jackson
produced a line of good quality but otherwise unexceptional
single-cylinder combustion-engine cars. While there, Carter
developed and patented a gearless friction-drive transmission using
two friction wheels, with the drive ratio adjusted by repositioning
one wheel on the other. His partners were uninterested in the
concept, leaving Carter to quit and relocate to Detroit, where he
found new financial backers and set to work on the new Cartercar.
In period, the press spoke positively of the Cartercar, and
marketing materials promoted it as "The car with a thousand
speeds... no clutch to slip, no gears to strip, no universal joints
to break..." The company also suggested that after 5,000 miles, the
drive wheel's friction material could be replaced for just five
dollars, considerably less than the cost of traditional
transmission service. Sales were reasonable for a small upstart
firm, reaching 325 cars by 1908. Unfortunately, just as Cartercar
was starting to find its footing, Byron Carter passed away suddenly
at age 44 from pneumonia. But it was not quite the end of the line
for Cartercar, as it was swallowed up in 1909 by William C. "Billy"
Durant's new venture - General Motors. Durant later admitted he had
just bought the company to access the friction-drive system, as it
seemed like promising technology to own. The tumult continued in
1910, as the notoriously combatant Durant was tossed out of GM.
Cartercar continued under the GM umbrella until 1915, and despite
the addition of more powerful 4-cylinder engines (up to 45 hp), the
Cartercar never met GM's expectations of 1,000 cars per year, and
GM pulled the plug, repurposing the factory to build Oakland cars.
This 1912 Cartercar Model R is one of approximately 50 known
survivors of this fascinating marque and is one of just three Model
R Roadsters known to exist. With a superb, highly detailed, and
extensively researched restoration, this is undoubtedly one of the
best restored and most authentic examples of a Cartercar found
anywhere. It is stunningly presented in pearl gray paint, beautiful
oxblood leather upholstery, and adorned with highly polished brass
accessories and oxblood pinstripes. Sitting on a 112-inch wheelbase
and 36-inch wheels, this sporty two-seat roadster certainly makes a
bold statement while on display or the road. Power comes from
Cartercar's L-head inline-four, which sends power to the rear
wheels via Byron Carter's patented friction drive system. The
engine starts readily and runs exceptionally well, and the friction
drive system operates as it should. Rated for 40 horsepower, the
big four is respectably powerful for its time, offing plentiful
torque and appropriately sporting performance to match the Model
R's style. The engine compartment is exquisitely detailed, with
beautiful black enamel on the cylinders, a silver-painted
crankcase, and polished brass plumbing and hardware. Notably, this
is one of the only known cars with the original underbody splash
pans, which are critical for keeping the friction drive protected
from the elements and were often removed for service and lost or
sacrificed for scrap metal drives during war years. The
undercarriage is finished to the same high standard as the body,
with superb gray paintwork and period-correct detailing. This
superbly detailed Cartercar reflects the skill and expertise put
into every aspect of its outstanding restoration. It represents the
finest surviving example from this fascinating marque, born during
a period of unprecedented innovation in the American automobile
industry. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7258-1912-cartercar-model-r-roadster/
