Vehicle Description
This 1912 Simplex Model-38, is powered by a four cylinder 40HP,
T-Head motor with a CID of 476. 4-speed transmission. Exact replica
body by Holbrook. This car runs and drives excellent. Complete with
starter. Ready for touring! Although the history of the mighty
Simplex automobile is complicated, its reputation is not. The
Simplex automobile is considered by automotive historians as one of
the most significant cars built in America during the pre-World War
I period. �What set the automobiles built by Simplex apart from
other American and European vehicles was the extreme attention to
detail and quality. The Simplex automobile was one of the first
true American sports cars. From the factory, they could be driven
as powerful road going vehicles during the week and competitively
raced on the track during the weekend. They were engineered to have
the ideal power to weight ratios, which, in stock form, made them
one of the most competitive American racing machines of the period.
���� This history of Simplex began when Proctor Smith and Carlton
Mabley began importing fine European cars to New York early in the
20th century. In order to escape import duties, they embarked on
the manufacture of an all-American car to rival the best that
Europe had to offer. The cars were built in very limited quantities
in a small, a five-story factory in Manhattan. Priced 6,000.00-or
nearly ten-times the cost of a new, Model T Ford-the Simplex
automobiles found homes with some of the most prestigious American
families of the era. Like most expensive, luxury vehicles, the
Simplex Company only built the chassis and the bodies were custom
designed and built to the individual owner's specifications. Bodies
were supplied by esteemed coachbuilders such as Healey & Co.,
Demarest, Holbrook and Brewster. This rare and desirable 1912
Simplex Model 38, car number 1150, is powered by a huge,
four-cylinder, T-head engine with a cubic inch displacement of 476
and a conservatively rated horsepower of 40. Unlike most cars of
the period, the Simplex Model 38 was equipped with a four-speed,
sliding gear transmission, which connects to the rear wheels via
shaft drive. The wheelbase for the Model 38 is 127 inches. This
example is fitted with an exact replica of a sporty and
lightweight, four-passenger touring body originally supplied by the
New York coachbuilder, Holbrook. Today, this mighty Simplex is a
charming and well-presented older restoration that looks right from
all angles. It was restored in the late 1980s and by 1991 had
earned its National First Place Senior Award by the Antique
Automobile Club of America. It has been owned by a number of
well-known collectors including William Lassiter of Florida and
most recently, a well-known east coast collector of significant
brass-era automobiles. The shining black paint and matching tufted
leather seats are further defined by a careful red pinstripe that
reveals every shape, curve and line of this majestic car. With its
host of brass fittings, this car accurately portrays the style and
luxury of its era. As an older restoration, black finish shows the
expected of aging that one would expect from an early car that has
been used and enjoyed. The diamond tufted leather interior is well
preserved and has a nice, mellowed look to it. The folding black
top shows the expected signs of wear, mainly from being folded as
this car certainly begs to be driven with the top down. This car is
well optioned with numerous, period brass accessories including a
pair of large, gas headlamps with a proper, carbide generator, a
complementing pair of side lamps, a tail lamp, a bulb horn, a Jones
speedometer and a folding windshield. Under the hood, the mighty,
four-cylinder T-head engine is equipped with its Bosch magneto
ignition system as well as a scarce and desirable period accessory
Rushmore starting unit. The chassis and engine bay show the
expected signs of cosmetic use that one would expect. At the time
of the restoration, the artillery wheels were completely rebuilt
for reliable touring. The chassis is equipped with period,
accessory spring-loaded shock absorbers. It should be noted, that
restoration of this Simplex was not simply aesthetic. The
drivetrain was completely restored with the idea that this car
would be used for long distance touring. After winning its AACA
awards, this mighty Simplex completed several Brass & Gas and
Horseless Carriage Club tours. Today, this car is ready to continue
its touring tradition and will offer it's next owner the
opportunity to lead the pack at any motoring events. Cosmetically,
the car still shows extremely well and was recently invited and
displayed at the Concours of America at St. Johns (formerly
Meadowbrook). Simplex motorcars have always been held in high
esteem by leading car collectors. It is estimated that less than a
dozen Model 38 Simplexes have survived. They rarely become
available and are highly sought after by major collections.
Exceptionally rare and historically significant, this Simplex
represents an excellent opportunity to own a top-quality example of
a Brass Era automobile.