Vehicle Description
No fewer than five companies bore the surname of the ambitious
industrialist Col. Albert Augustus Pope; a man who created a
short-lived but prestigious empire of automobile manufacturers
which offered a wide variety of vehicles between 1904 and 1914.
Col. Pope set up shop in Hartford, Connecticut where, in 1903 he
built his first prototype single-cylinder car. Production began in
earnest the following year with two body styles offered on the
common chassis. Larger engine options came quickly, with a 16hp
twin following the single, as well as a 20/25hp four.
Ever-increasing engine sizes were met with ever-inflating prices,
with the largest of the Pope-Hartford line topping $5,500.
Pope-Hartford models were built at the company headquarters in
Connecticut, though other brands soon followed as the Colonel and
his family extended their reach in the automobile business.
Pope-Waverly offered electric cars built in Indiana; Pope-Tribune
focused on small, cheap cars, Pope-Robinson was a very brief foray
that produced just 59 cars, and the most prestigious of them all
was Pope-Toledo. Pope-Toledo grew out of the International Bicycle
Co., another of Albert Augustus Pope's businesses. From 1904, the
company offered first steam, and later petrol-powered cars. The
petrol versions proved quite successful in motorsport, with a
Pope-Toledo coming in 3rd in the highly competitive and popular
Vanderbilt Cup in 1904 and winning the America's first-ever 24 hour
endurance race in 1905. Pope-Toledo cars grew swiftly in size and
price through the coming model years, culminating in the 50
horsepower limousine of 1907. This prestigious and beautiful
machine sold for a robust $6,000 and was among the finest
automobiles on offer to wealthy American buyers. As with much of
the Pope empire, growth came quickly and with little regard to the
market demand. While cars like the Pope-Toledo were beautifully
built and returned excellent performance, the market was crowded
and only a finite number of buyers could afford such extravagant
motorcars. Pope-Toledo went into receivership in 1909; with the
parent company Pope-Hartford following shortly after in 1913. Of
all surviving Pope cars, it is the powerful and prestigious Toledo
that commands attention from collectors. We are truly honored to
offer this outstanding 1907 Pope-Toledo Type XV 50hp touring car.
One of just a handful known to exist, this grand and imposing
motorcar was once part of the famous William F. Harrah collection
and has since been treated to a very high-level restoration, and
presenting in concours condition. The striking color combination of
deep maroon with bright red highlights and black accents is period
appropriate and magnificently presented. The paint quality is
excellent, with deep gloss on the bodywork and equally beautiful
finishes on the chassis wheels and ancillaries. We are particularly
fond of the unusually curvaceous bodywork that defines and
highlights the shape of the passenger compartment. The effect is
quite stunning and unusual from the era before "styling" was a
fully embraced concept. An array of beautiful brass accessories
features prominently on the body. Huge, exquisitely detailed Solar
De Luxe projector headlamps flank the proud Pope-Toledo radiator
shell, finished in highly polished brass. Matching Solar cowl lamps
are fitted, all powered by the gorgeous acetylene tank mounted on
the left running board. Large wooden-spoke wheels are finished to
the same high standard as the body, painted maroon with bright red
coach stripes and wrapped in all-white tires for a magnificent,
elegant look. The running boards and driver's compartment floor are
properly fitted with gray battleship linoleum and a beautiful
wicker trunk sits atop the trunk rack, held in place with lovely
bridle-leather straps. The huge top is in excellent order and
rather unusually, is lined with red fabric for additional
protection. Full removable weather equipment includes side curtains
and a soft windscreen. The cabin is trimmed in black leather in
front and rear, appearing quite fresh and showing almost no use.
Front seats are individual affairs, separated by a central bolster.
The driver stays informed via exquisite Joseph W. Jones speedometer
and clock. Correct button-style upholstery is accented with lovely
embossed patterns on the leading edge of the seats. Below the
seats, beautifully finished wooden cabinets provide storage for
spares, while a similar cabinet below the rear seat houses the
weather equipment. Also in the rear, a folding jump seat provides
accommodations for an additional passenger or two. Maroon carpets
are in excellent order and the whole cabin is trimmed in lovely,
high quality woodwork and brass trim. The detailing on the
restoration is impeccable, found in places like the pyramid-pattern
brass "Toledo" sill plates and perfectly clocked hardware on the
fittings. It most certainly conveys a sense of opulence that
defines the era. All of the opulence and luxury up top is motivated
by a huge T-head four-cylinder which was originally rated at 50
horsepower. The engine is correctly and meticulously detailed with
correct wiring, brass clamps and hardware and polished copper
cylinders and assorted plumbing. It is very tidy and clean, showing
a few signs of light use, remaining very correct and conveying the
magnificent quality of the restoration. Power is sent rearward via
a chain-drive rear axle, a system renowned for its strength and
durability. While its sister company Pope-Hartford enjoyed moderate
success over the course of a decade, the much rarer Pope-Toledo was
experienced by only a handful of fortunate (and wealthy) clientele.
This example's beautiful restoration has been carefully preserved,
and it would surely be welcome at virtually any concours event in
the world. Being a large, high-horsepower car, it would likewise
make a magnificent choice for touring. Once part of the most famous
car collection in the world, this Pope-Toledo stands proudly as one
of the finest examples of its kind.