Details
1914/15 STEVENS-DURYEA MODEL DD 50HP SEVEN PASSENGER TOURER
Frame No. 32238
Engine No. 454
Blue with black fenders and black leather upholstery
Engine: six cylinder, L Head, 496 cu.in, 8,129cc, 80bhp at 1,800rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Brakes: Rear wheel drum; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic, rear, three quarter elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
In November 1901 the first Stevens-Duryea car was shown. It had a 5HP two cylinder engine and production models reached the market by 1902. By 1905 Stevens-Duryea produced their first four cylinder vehicles known as a model R which was rated at 20HP and remained in production until 1908. In the following year, Stevens-Duryea became one of the earliest automobile manufacturers to offer a six cylinder model with the launch of a 50 HP car known as the the S Type. Both six and four cylinder models were produced up until 1912, when the four cylinder car was discontinued in favour of the superior six cylinder.
The Stevens-Duryea was an extremely well engineered vehicle. Following the adoption of three-point motor suspension in 1904, Stevens-Duryea used the slogan, "Three Point Support". The company's reputation was founded upon high quality and justifiably used slogans such as The Car That Never Had To Have Apologies Made For Them.
In 1914 the J. Stevens Arms Company withdrew its support and J. Frank Duryea obtained control of the company. The company lacked working capital and the banks were unwilling to provide financial support at the onset of the First World War. Production halted in January 1915.
The model DD as on offer here today is a rare survivor of one of the last models produced before the factory closed. According to the Stevens-Duryea Register there are only 5 models known to exist, this being the second oldest. The DD model was a long wheel based version of the model D. The model D is also famous for the being the first six cylinder model from the company produced in left hand drive form and carried standard features such as electric lights, starting system, and a one man top. Another interesting feature patented by the company and seen on this model was an adjustable (height) rear seat. While the model is generally known as a 1915, as production ended in January that year and no cars were shown at the 1915 New York Auto show, it is most likely this example was manufactured in late 1914.
Research on the history of this particular vehicle indicates that it is a particularly low mileage and original vehicle. When restoration work was carried out during the 1980s no wear was found in the engine or throughout the chassis. At one stage the vehicle was owned by the son of Admiral Byrd (the famous explorer). It also resided in California for a number of years. In the early 1990s the Stevens was shown at Pebble Beach. In recent months the car has had mechanical attention to the carburetor, the valves re-seated and a leak to the water pump fixed. This a rare and desirable large touring car of the highest quality manufacture and is eligible for many popular touring events.
Frame No. 32238
Engine No. 454
Blue with black fenders and black leather upholstery
Engine: six cylinder, L Head, 496 cu.in, 8,129cc, 80bhp at 1,800rpm; Gearbox: three speed manual; Brakes: Rear wheel drum; Suspension: front, semi-elliptic, rear, three quarter elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
In November 1901 the first Stevens-Duryea car was shown. It had a 5HP two cylinder engine and production models reached the market by 1902. By 1905 Stevens-Duryea produced their first four cylinder vehicles known as a model R which was rated at 20HP and remained in production until 1908. In the following year, Stevens-Duryea became one of the earliest automobile manufacturers to offer a six cylinder model with the launch of a 50 HP car known as the the S Type. Both six and four cylinder models were produced up until 1912, when the four cylinder car was discontinued in favour of the superior six cylinder.
The Stevens-Duryea was an extremely well engineered vehicle. Following the adoption of three-point motor suspension in 1904, Stevens-Duryea used the slogan, "Three Point Support". The company's reputation was founded upon high quality and justifiably used slogans such as The Car That Never Had To Have Apologies Made For Them.
In 1914 the J. Stevens Arms Company withdrew its support and J. Frank Duryea obtained control of the company. The company lacked working capital and the banks were unwilling to provide financial support at the onset of the First World War. Production halted in January 1915.
The model DD as on offer here today is a rare survivor of one of the last models produced before the factory closed. According to the Stevens-Duryea Register there are only 5 models known to exist, this being the second oldest. The DD model was a long wheel based version of the model D. The model D is also famous for the being the first six cylinder model from the company produced in left hand drive form and carried standard features such as electric lights, starting system, and a one man top. Another interesting feature patented by the company and seen on this model was an adjustable (height) rear seat. While the model is generally known as a 1915, as production ended in January that year and no cars were shown at the 1915 New York Auto show, it is most likely this example was manufactured in late 1914.
Research on the history of this particular vehicle indicates that it is a particularly low mileage and original vehicle. When restoration work was carried out during the 1980s no wear was found in the engine or throughout the chassis. At one stage the vehicle was owned by the son of Admiral Byrd (the famous explorer). It also resided in California for a number of years. In the early 1990s the Stevens was shown at Pebble Beach. In recent months the car has had mechanical attention to the carburetor, the valves re-seated and a leak to the water pump fixed. This a rare and desirable large touring car of the highest quality manufacture and is eligible for many popular touring events.