bruffsup

CHRISTIES CONDUCTED THE AUCTION, NOT SOTHEBY. I FEEL YOUR CHARACTERIZATION MAY BE OFF THE MARK AS I FEEL THAT HE AND IMOGENE GENUINELY LIKED US. HE HAD NOTHING TO GAIN OTHER THAN FRIENDSHIP AS I HAD NOTHING AT THE TIME. WE SAT AT THEIR KITCHEN TABLE IN THE LEANING FARM HOUSE WHICH HAD QUITE A FEW GERMAN MUSIC BOXES WHICH I DID NOT SEE AT THE AUCTION. WHEN I TOLD A.K. WE WERE GOING TO A MOTORCYCLE MEET IN NEW JERSEY HE DETAILED A ROUTE WHICH WAS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY THROUGH GORGEOUS COUNTRYSIDE DEVOID OF TRAFFIC , A FEAT I AM SURE NO GPS TODAY COULD REPLICATE. I THINK HE HAD A FONDNESS FOR CANADIANS AS HE SPENT WW2 IN THE RCAF AND TRACKED DOWN A FEW CARS UP HERE. I KNOW OF ONE OTHER CANADIAN THAT ALSO GOT ALONG VERY WELL WITH THE MAN. HE CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN ON FRIENDLY TERMS WITH CANNONBALL BAKER AS WELL!

If you think this is urban legend then think again as the buyer is a seasoned expert and spoke with me directly. He is over the moon about his purchase.

I will not name anyone but curiosity about this situation inspires me to pose this question. Let's just call it a rare desirable 7 figure value car that descendants of the original purchaser have inherited not knowing anything about it's value and have consigned it to a leading auction house at the last moment before an auction. Because the original owner rarely if ever drove the car it is in mint condition and the auction company in haste makes a major blunder calling it a replica or reproduction. The car is sold for less than the cost of a repop! Any legal implications here ? Probably just a crazy story but if true will certainly be the a very big deal once the details are known and I won't be the one to reveal anything more!

Yes he did! From my old phone book A.K."Dusty" Miller East Orange West Topsham, Vermont 05086 802-439-6146

Being a motorcycle literature collector I used to run want ads in the 1980's and A.K. Miller ( unknown to me at the time ) called me and said he had a rare Harry Geer catalogue but it was not for sale only trade and specifically for Stutz literature to which I replied "Do you have a Stutz" to which he answered , " No, I have 50 of them" Well of course my thoughts were , "here's yet another big American BS'er. Well, about a year later we were heading down to Putney Vermont for a Brough gathering and I decided to call this man's bluff "just in case" As we pulled up alongside the long red barn there was MRS Miller, , Imogene or "sister" as AK called her ( was there something going on here nobody talked about? Well poor old Imogene was mowing the foot long grass with a hand push mower in 80+ degrees heat. Both of these folks were more than gracious to us . I was impressed by the way the cars were stored, compared with many other hoards I have seen AK did a good job. I visited the Millers on 3 or 4 occasions and liked both of them very much. I bought a few motorcycle bits and bobs but he never was a bike man , but he did have his first bicycle. He did offer to sell me his very first Stutz for 20K, I can't remember the model but it was not a Bearcat of the blown Lancefield. I agree the blown car was for me the jewel of the pack. He told me the story of when he bought the car in England the seller thought all Stutzs were blown and thusly nothing special! I still have the Harry Geer catalogue but came away from the auction with only somewhat sad memories as I really liked the Millers. I have some great video footage of our first meeting.

I love the shape of the rad. Reminds me of a W.O.Bentley. Can't be many Kissels around, looks like a great start for someone . Good luck with the sale.

wow, sounds cheap. wasn't there one like this just sold recently and discussed on this forum?

If i owned just one Duesey I'd never sell it, that's the top of the mountain!

seems like a pretty exotic engine to be offered in a depression era middle of the road car especially in low buck Canada. I've never heard or seen such a thing up here in the great white north. I think you are fantasizing George! get a Stutz and be done with it.

Just look at the cylinder head! It says 288 right on it. That's what it is.

I would be amazed if you can get anything for them. Of course if you give them to a youngster who shows interest they may become more interested in cutting cars up rather than restoring them which is supposed to be the primary ethos of this club. They are unfortunately not even good for starting fires or toilet paper so it is a predicament and why I stopped buying them decades ago.

hard to see the total shape of the bracket which is critical to identification but the body of the lamp is similar to early fifties harley 125cc hummer bikes. thjere should however be a license plate bracket as well which i dod not see. Several aftermarket firms sold these shape "bullet runing lights" with various coloured glass . harley did too and they were also used as accessory turn signals

looks like a 1918 Powerplus Indian ( WW 1 vintage) in very nice condition. Usually the manifold nuts are mutilated, fins are broken etc. when one finds an engine sans running gear. The carb and magneto make it even better. nice find!

can you post a picture of what you are looking for?

Sorry don't know the origin. Must be rare have never seen another. I am thinking it is probably Pierce as there were a lot of circa 1924 Pierce parts in the barn but then again the old timer was a Packard man as well ! You tell me. Any way it has to be worth $300. Barry 613-273-5036 email for more pics oldmill@kingston.net

do you want another one in similar condition? I am near Kingston ontario. Barry 613-273-5036

I am curious about the extra trim bits. not to my taste but wondering are the pieces easily detachable? Very nice car otherwise

I am interested in a complete Pierce. Barry 613-273-5036 oldmill@kingston.net

T4X WAS MID TWENTIES TO 28

Your engine is 1920 or later as the first L head engine was introduced in that year. All previous Henderson engines were F head Inlet over exhaust. 1920 was also a significant year with the introduction of full pressure oiling a vast improvement over the previous rod 'dippers"

1915 era? You have touched on an important issue with regards to Henderson engines. "Detroit" Hendersons ie those built in Detroit pre 1918 before Schwinn bought them out ( The Henderson brothers that is) and moved the factory to Chicago as an addition to his Excelsior line, are rare and sought after to such an extent that butchered engine cases with sawn off trannys are being welded back together. My guess is that you have a mid 1920's Deluxe which formed the basis for every Heath I have ever seen. The supply of Deluxe engines in whole condition has not yet dried up however there are many looking for late 1928 Deluxe "Ricardo" cylinders including ME! If this engine has these I would be interested in purchasing it. I can send you a few images of what to look for.There are others also interested in good cranks and internal parts so I suspect you have something of value there. I personally would not be brave enough to fly in a Heath powered ultralight and I think most aviation collectors and museums probably already have a Heath as I have seen quite a few around.

Maybe Claudel-Hobson

Hey, I've got one of those too but mine sounds more complete ! What do they fit and what are they worth?

Did Argyll then hold the patent for the single sleeve valve engine? I find this interesting as you are no doubt aware of Barr and Stroud who manufactured such engines for motorbikes right there in Glasgow. I know of a New Old Sock 1000cc vee twin Barr and Stroud engine and have been trying to pry it loose so I can build a replica Brough Superior as Brough did so many years ago.

the carb at the centre at the bottom is a Pierce Arrow carb.