Lot details Registration No: UN-REG Chassis No: C23988 Mot Expiry: None
Founded in 1907 by Edward P Murphy, the Oakland Motor Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan was originally intended as an adjunct to his existing carriage building business. Designed by Alanson Brush (the man responsible for the first Cadillac and Brush Runabout), its initial model was fitted with a vertical twin that ran counter clockwise. Replaced after a year by a more conventional four-cylinder machine, Oakland sales swiftly reached the 5,000 mark. Acquiring a fifty percent stake in 1909, General Motors assumed full control the following season. Positioned between budget Chevrolet and premium Buick, Oakland was promoted as 'The Right Car at the Right Time'. Introduced in 1916, the Model 34 Sensible Six was powered by an advanced straight-six engine featuring fully-exposed pushrod-operated overhead valve gear. Displacing some 177ci (2.9 litres), the unit was praised for its 41hp output (twice that of the contemporary Ford Model T), economy and durability. Benefiting from a three-speed manual gearbox and rear wheel drum brakes, it was updated as the Model 34B in 1918. Popular in the Antipodes, Car Collector magazine estimates that half of the 300 to 400 Oaklands thought to have survived worldwide are still located in Australia.
Finished in sage green over black, this particular left-hand drive example has been part of the collection since 1998. A former exhibit at the Charlie Sens Motor Museum in Ohio, it boasts a nickel-plated radiator shell (topped by a Boyce / Oakland Motometer), bell mouth brass-rimmed headlamps, two-piece windscreen (complete with wind deflectors), twin rear-mounted spare tyres, single Zenith carburettor and Oakland branded treadplates as well as a combined gas, water and oil can rack.
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:
If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035