Vehicle Description
1920 Essex A Series Touring
Essex cars were designed to be moderately priced cars which would
be affordable to the average family. Proving durable, their
capabilities were checked upon and confirmed by AAA and the United
States Post Office. In 1919, an Essex completed a 50-hour, 3,037.4
miles endurance test in Cincinnati, Ohio, at an average speed of
60.75 miles per hour. The early Essex cars also captured many hill
climb records. In a special Essex race car, Glen Shultz won the
1923 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
For consignment, a barn found condition Essex A Series Touring car
from 1920 that has been in dry storage for the last 35 years. This
example will be in need of TLC for all aspects, but the car is far
from a lost cause, appearing as a partial restoration was started
some time ago. The engine turns free with compression, the miles
read 30,501 and that is believed to be actual but not documented so
you can let your imagination run wild...Will you go back to factory
stock? Perhaps a mechanical once over and drive this 103 year young
tourer as is, or maybe the resto-mod bug has bit you. Regardless of
the outcome, the finished product will make your blood, sweat and
tears all worth it.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
All steel showing some surface rust, dents and dings, and the paint
has been covered with an amateur application of black primer with
areas of green showing through. Amazingly though, there is almost
no invasive rust to speak of without one crawling around with their
face pressed against the steel. A corralledgrille, red Essex
emblem, cowled hood, 4 doors, running boards and fenders make up
this long car. The convertible top and its wooden frame remain
intact, but not without some soiling, staining and a few tears in
the vinyl around the glass rear window. 32-inch red painted wire
spoke wheels are on all 4 corners and dual spare tires are strapped
to the back of this car.
Interior
More TLC is needed on the interior, but not as much as one would
assume for a 103 year old automobile. Nicely redone black tuck and
roll leather makes up the expansive front bench seat, which has a
distinctwrap around carriage style design. The rear bench, in the
same style, shows discoloration and tears in the leather allowing
the padding to show through. Padded tuck and roll leather covers
the rear side panels and the 4 door panels present with varying
stages of wear. We note map pockets in these doors, with the
driver's door missing its cover flap. Worn and stained tan
carpeting is infor the rear seat passengers and up front is a
simple black rubber mat. The dash has all the original parts and
looks more like an old control panel for a power plant than a dash,
but it's all there. As is the original wooden steering wheel with
spark advance and throttle lever, although it has suffered slight
wear from water damage.
Drivetrain
Under the sides of the cowled hood resides the 179ci F-head 4
cylinder capable of producing 55hp. It has a 1-barrel carburetor
and a 3-speed manual transmission sending power to a 5.09 geared
rear axle. This engine appears to have been restored with all parts
present and accounted for. Our consignor notes that the engine does
turn over by hand and makes compression.
Undercarriage
A mix of patina, road dirt and surface rust is abundant underneath
this car. Structural stability remains intact for the
frame,flooring and under sides of the running boards. A single
exhaust system is on for the exhale with surface rusted piping and
a like new muffler. Mechanical drum brakes are only on the rear and
leaf sprung suspension is seen all around.
A barn find from 1920 making this car over 103 years old! Amazingly
for 1920, this car has a lot of positive attributes like the intact
drivetrain, partially restored seating, and a convertible which
most of the cars of the era did have except for Henry's Model T. It
will need to be worked on very diligently, however, when you are
complete, you will have something nearly no one else possesses.
Please Note: NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY*
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.