Auction Action: Unrestored 1911 Olds sold for $1.65 million
In 1911, Oldsmobile built only 159 examples of its Limited series touring car. Today, only three are known to exist, and only one of those has ever been restored. At the Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey auction last week, the last remaining 1911 Olds Limited was sold for $1.65 million still wearing its original 96-year-old tires.
RM Auctions' Web site says the car has had only three owners since new, and has sat in a museum for the past 50 years after being discovered in a barn in the 1950s. At one point, the second owner contemplated restoration and went so far as to find a set of five exact replacement tires for the car, but never put them on. They, too, were included in the sale. The seats are still covered in the original leather, cracked and worn, but amazingly still usable after all these years.It will be interesting to see what the car's new owner does with this time-warp classic. Invest in a high-dollar restoration and return the 16-foot-long tourer to its original beauty? Leave the patina but make it drivable? We hope the car is kept just the way it is, shredded 42-inch tires, rusted door panels and all. You just can't buy patina like this.
[Source: RM Auctions via Hemmings Auto Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 5:38PM (10/15/2007)
This is awesome.
It would make an amazing open concept home living room ornament in current shape.
Also, what do you think the new owner would pay for a non-restored Alero?
Ya ya, I'll beat you to the punch. Five bucks.
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Dignan 11:17PM (10/15/2007)
"You can't buy patina like this."
Yes you can, for $1.65 million.
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Eric Monse 6:41PM (10/15/2007)
I'll take two!
cowboy bob 7:49PM (10/15/2007)
Indeed. 1.6 large........might be better spent on a condo in southern France, (And French girls). Probably smell better too.
mk 7:00PM (10/15/2007)
it is amazing that decay magically becomes patina.
it isn't as though the original tires in any way resemble their original condition. it would almost seem to be better to have it sitting on bare wheels.
I am all for leaving things in an unaltered state, to a point. I guess it is up to interpretation where that point is.
It isn't as if this machine was stored all that well. it would be in much better shape if it had been.
I would say do a meticulous, and limited restoration, simply to try to arrest the decay, and stabilize it near it's current condition. patina is one thing, rust is another, and rust will eventually reduce 1.65 million dollars to dust. it is just a matter of when.
People restore art... why should they not restore cars?
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Lemmiwinks 3:29PM (10/16/2007)
I agree with meticulously and minimally restoring this car to "freeze" it at its current state.
Just don't lost those tires. To me, they're 60% of what makes this an intriguing piece of art.
Menice 6:58PM (10/15/2007)
"chitty chitty bang bang we love you..."
thats cool, i love looking at the unrestoredness...
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Gary 7:12PM (10/15/2007)
Do I see three rows of seating there? Wow, it was before its time!
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Lemmiwinks 3:30PM (10/16/2007)
Looks like "Stow-n-Go" seating, no less.
Alex M 7:16PM (10/15/2007)
Might I just say holy crap. 707 Cu In engine. I thought my dad's 455 was over the top.
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Bryan 9:49PM (10/15/2007)
Very cool!
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Alex 10:00PM (10/15/2007)
they should leave it as is and park it in front of Eastern State Penitentiary (www.easternstate.org)
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Brent 12:35AM (10/16/2007)
It looks to be in better shape than that 1957 Plymouth buried in Tulsa.
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JB 7:52AM (10/16/2007)
I wonder how today's cars will look after sitting for 96 years.
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Justin 8:17AM (10/16/2007)
It's nice to see that at one point "Limited Edition" actually meant limited.
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Jason 10:46AM (10/16/2007)
Does it run?
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