Vehicle Description
The Regal Motor Car Company founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1908
quickly established a reputation for well-constructed and reliable
automobiles.� The early reputation came largely from the 1909 Regal
"Plugger", a Regal 30 that was driven from New York to San
Francisco and other pioneering journeys, accompanied by feverish
accounts from newspapers throughout the country.� The Regal Model N
Underslung Roadster introduced in 1911 priced at $900 re-defined
Regal, and has sometimes later been described as "America's first
sports car". While Regal continued to build other existing models
on conventional chassis, the Regal Model N Underslung Roadster was
one of the first automobiles to adopt the innovative �underslung'
chassis first created by American in Indianapolis, Indiana.� �The
design placed both axles above the frame, resulting in greater
stability from a lower center of gravity.� This was of great
importance to many early motorists who feared tipping over, and
also greatly enhanced the handling characteristics of automobiles
built in this fashion. The Underslung Roadster helped Regal achieve
sales gains and establish a successful export trade, particularly
to England, and was quickly followed by a Coupe in 1912 and a
Touring car in 1913.� In 1913, all three Underslung models were
powered by a 200 c.i. 25 hp side-valve four-cylinder engine of the
company's own manufacture, with a three-speed sliding gear
transmission, dual ignition, thermo-siphon cooling and two-wheel
mechanical brakes.� Other original equipment included high-grade
Gray & Davis electric lights and nickel-plated trim - still a very
new process.� �Familiar gas lamps were offered as an option, as
were a top, windshield and speedometer. This well-known and
authentic 1913 Regal Model N Underslung Roadster was discovered in
1938 and owned personally for more than 60 years by Bud Cattlett,
the late curator of the famed Harrah's Automobile Collection. �We
are extremely pleased to offer this exceptional automobile, which
has had only one other owner since 1999.� �That owner undertook a
sympathetic restoration and continued to maintain the Regal to the
same standard, as shown here. �The radiator, hood and fenders are
all dramatically finished in black with red coach stripes while the
diminutive body tub, chassis and wheels are finished in dark grey,
all in very good condition and the nickel-plated trim is
exceptional.� The patinated black buttoned leather reveals just the
right amount of age and caring use, showing only some fading and
cracks.� The wooden dashboard exhibits only the most basic
essentials: �a Warner Auto-Meter speedometer/odometer and a sight
glass oil indicator.� The fuel tank and turtle deck are mounded to
the frame immediately behind the body, with a single spare tire
attached to the running board.� The large windshield folds at the
center, allowing for the top half to be folded down for ventilation
even when the top is in place.� The folding black fabric top is in
very nice condition.� Under the hood, the T-head four-cylinder
engine is nicely detailed and presented. This wonderfully authentic
early American sports car, with its technically advanced underslung
chassis, undersized presence and outsized history is eligible for
Antique Automobile Club of America, Horseless Carriage Club and
Nickel Era Touring Registry events and tours - and is sure to be a
standout wherever it is driven.� Only a very small number of these
groundbreaking Regal Underslung automobiles still exist.� This is
the only one that also comes with a significant, known history in
the hands of the man Bill Harrah called his own �car finder'.
