Lot details
Registration No: BS 8108
Chassis No: 74
Mot Expiry: Oct 2004

America's first commercially-built, gasoline automobile was the Haynes-Apperson built at Kokomo, Howard County, which was created from the State of Indiana's last sizeable Indian Reservation. The marque was founded by Elwood Haynes, who was born in 1857 in Portland, Indiana, of English ancestry. Pioneer automobilist Haynes was also the first man to recognize the properties of and manufacture stainless steel, and also invented Stellite alloy.
Having hired Elmer and Edgar Apperson for 40 cents an hour, Haynes made the first trial run in his new automobile July 4 1894, when, in the interests of safety to the onlookers and to prevent scaring the city's horses, he pulled the car behind a horse and buggy to beyond the city limits before firing it up.
Contemporary accounts tells us that, after being driven about six miles around the countryside that day at up to 7mph, the first Haynes-Apperson was a huge success. Indeed, very soon, demand was satisfied when production of replicas commenced in 1898. However, during 1902, the founding partners split up and started their own automobile companies, the first of 256 different makes that were eventually built in the State of Indiana. Haynes never sold his prototype, donating it instead to the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, in 1910. Before his death at 67 in 1925, Haynes car production had risen in a new 1923-opened plant to an impressive 40 vehicles per day.
Haynes-Apperson ads from those pioneering days claimed that their's was "The most practical automobile in the world...the ONLY Automobile that has won EVERY Endurance Contest held in America."
In 1902, the Kokomo firm offered double-opposed, 2-cylinder engines producing 6 or 9hp engines in three styles of bodywork, Runabout 2-seater, or Phaeton or Surrey for up to 4 passengers, at prices ranging from $1200 to $1800. "We offer you a proved reliability, ease of access to working parts and simplicity of operation that no other make in the world affords, at reasonable prices for good workmanship," said the sales blurb.
On offer here is a Haynes-Apperson Surrey, which, according to a National Museum of Science and Industry Certificate issued in 1991, is believed to be of 1902-manufacture and therefore from when the Appersons were still on board the Haynes bandwagon. Powered by a twin cylinder motor with 12hp RAC rating and supplied by a 10 gallon fuel tank fitted beneath the front seat, the Veteran Car Club events eligible 4-seater is claimed to be capable of achieving 3mph in reverse, 3 1/2mph in first, 9mph in second and 15mph in top. We understand from the current owner that the chassis is in good condition and that both Surrey body and green paintwork are very good. Whilst engine and 3-speed epicyclic gearbox are reportedly in good order too.
Both MOT and tax disc are said to be current, so this very early American can provide the next owner with instant Veteran motoring as well as an affordable entry for one of the great motoring aventures on the UK calendar, the annual London to Brighton. With the supply of Run-eligible automobiles being finite and demand for those relatively few cars that do come to market continuing to strengthen, appreciating Veterans have been given gilt-edged status by collectors. Do not miss the opportunity to add this Vet to your portfolio.
PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.