Jeff LEcuyer Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 a friend of mine found this auto VIN plate while metal detecting in Washington, KS. I found a little information on the internet about the Smith Automobile company, such as the owner had a bone fire and destroyed all records. I can't find any records on what this car looked like, model, engine. Does anyone have any more information as to what this VIN came off of? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 A web search turns up the information that the Smith Automobile Company made Smith, Veracity and Great Smith cars in Topeka Kansas from 1902 to 1911. They ranged in size from the first "gas buggy" in the curved dash Olds class, to a 32.5 HP $2787 car with a 318 cu in 4 cylinder engine. This was the Great Smith, a car that had the distinction of being the first to climb Pike's Peak. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Skelly Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I wonder if the rest of the car is buried nearby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff LEcuyer Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 The plate was found next to the city water tower, back in the thirties, a tornado tore through Washington, damaging the court house and the water tower, the car may have been in the wreckage of the tornado? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Skelly Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 it's a nice find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Find a copy of Great Cars of the Great Plains by McConnell. First chapter is an exhaustive study. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 (edited) Memory tells me AACA director Merral Smith had a restored touring car back in the 1970's. Edited June 7, 2022 by 1937hd45 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 I'm pretty sure there was a Great Smith owned by a member of the Gettysburg Region (Penna.) years ago, probably in the 1960's or 1970's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George K Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 This from the same book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 10 hours ago, 1937hd45 said: Memory tells me AACA director Merral Smith had a restored touring car back in the 1970's. Yes, Murrell was a good friend from our times living in Baltimore. We're still proud members of Chesapeake region there. Murrell was originally from Topeka if I remember correctly. He searched for years for a Great Smith and finally found an incomplete and unfinished restoration attempt. He managed to also find the remains of another incomplete car and was able to finish one. It was shown at Hershey but after Murrell passed away the car was sold. Don't know where it is today. Neat car and only a couple of them still existing. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Thanks Terry, The light blue L-29 Cord that Murrell had left a larger impression on me. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 He had some great cars. I remember him driving that car to a few local events. Even once in mud at Hershey. I used to drive from Baltimore to Philly on Saturday morning for the judging school at the Annual Meeting. It was in the Ben Franklin Hotel then. Would meet Murrell and his wife Kathlene for an early breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Great memories. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 The Ben Franklin Hotel days were great, lots of great memories of people long gone now. Terry are the current meetings at all like the old ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 3 hours ago, 1937hd45 said: The Ben Franklin Hotel days were great, lots of great memories of people long gone now. Terry are the current meetings at all like the old ones? I think they are better. Seminars are fantastic. All the improvements over the years in graphics make a big difference. Of course presenters don't need to "audition" for the job, but most are accomplished public speakers and experts in what they are presenting. The J.C. Taylor hospitality suite remains our favorite place to unwind after a busy day. With the recent by-laws change allowing the meeting to move around a bit we should see increased attendance from those who don't want to go to Philly in the winter. It's always been a highlight for us and many others. Yes-great memories but plenty more yet to be made. Join us Bob and I'll reserve a front row seat in my Automobilia seminar. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now