Details
1906 PUNGS-FINCH LIMITED PROTOTYPE
Chassis No. Unmarked Prototype
Engine No. Unmarked Prototype
White with dark green interior.
Engine: four-cylinder, overhead camshaft, 684ci, 50hp; Gearbox: three-speed; Brakes: rear drums; Suspension: semi-elliptical leaf springs front and rear. Right-hand drive.
W.A. Pungs and E.E. Finch, father and son-in-law went into partnership in 1904 and their first productions were the D and F models, several hundred of which were built, but none seem to have survived. Finch was the engineer, having made his first car in 1902, while Pungs provided the finance and the factory site. Production of 50 cars was planned for 1906, but this does not appear to have taken place, the only car from that year being the Limited Prototype offered here. The Pungs-Finch was called the Limited to conjure up images of speed and power. This was a very advanced design with a gear driven overhead camshaft and a hemispherical combustion chamber. Price was to have been $3,500, which sounds expensive when compared to the contemporary Ford at $650, but Henry Ford told Pungs that it was the finest car he had ever seen. Pungs and Finch did not get along and Finch left and joined first of all Packard and then Chalmers. Pungs struggled on with the Model H, but this was not a success and production ceased - it was said that Pungs without Finch was like Rolls would have been without Royce.
In 1955 a noted collector and automobile historian, Henry Austin Clark discovered this car standing in the old factory and negotiated to buy it from Mr Pungs. Clark appreciated not only the rarity of the Limited, but the incredibly advanced, massive engine; with a bore and stroke of 5¾in x 6½in (over 11 litres) with huge intake and exhaust manifolds. Clark commissioned the help of the late Dick Teague and Leonard Davis to recreate the fantastic looking body. The wild looking flaired fenders are closely copied from original photos of the chassis. Leonard Davis was renowned for his restoration and detail work. It was eventually donated to the museum by Clark in 1979, after his Long Island Automotive Museum had closed.
When the Pungs-Finch was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1981 it was awarded the Charles A. Chayne Trophy. Since then it has seen little use. The engine currently is not free, but we are told by Bill Lee, who used to look after the collection, that the rings are hanging up. We recommend that the propesctive buyer examine the engine themselves to consider what work is required.
Chassis No. Unmarked Prototype
Engine No. Unmarked Prototype
White with dark green interior.
Engine: four-cylinder, overhead camshaft, 684ci, 50hp; Gearbox: three-speed; Brakes: rear drums; Suspension: semi-elliptical leaf springs front and rear. Right-hand drive.
W.A. Pungs and E.E. Finch, father and son-in-law went into partnership in 1904 and their first productions were the D and F models, several hundred of which were built, but none seem to have survived. Finch was the engineer, having made his first car in 1902, while Pungs provided the finance and the factory site. Production of 50 cars was planned for 1906, but this does not appear to have taken place, the only car from that year being the Limited Prototype offered here. The Pungs-Finch was called the Limited to conjure up images of speed and power. This was a very advanced design with a gear driven overhead camshaft and a hemispherical combustion chamber. Price was to have been $3,500, which sounds expensive when compared to the contemporary Ford at $650, but Henry Ford told Pungs that it was the finest car he had ever seen. Pungs and Finch did not get along and Finch left and joined first of all Packard and then Chalmers. Pungs struggled on with the Model H, but this was not a success and production ceased - it was said that Pungs without Finch was like Rolls would have been without Royce.
In 1955 a noted collector and automobile historian, Henry Austin Clark discovered this car standing in the old factory and negotiated to buy it from Mr Pungs. Clark appreciated not only the rarity of the Limited, but the incredibly advanced, massive engine; with a bore and stroke of 5¾in x 6½in (over 11 litres) with huge intake and exhaust manifolds. Clark commissioned the help of the late Dick Teague and Leonard Davis to recreate the fantastic looking body. The wild looking flaired fenders are closely copied from original photos of the chassis. Leonard Davis was renowned for his restoration and detail work. It was eventually donated to the museum by Clark in 1979, after his Long Island Automotive Museum had closed.
When the Pungs-Finch was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1981 it was awarded the Charles A. Chayne Trophy. Since then it has seen little use. The engine currently is not free, but we are told by Bill Lee, who used to look after the collection, that the rings are hanging up. We recommend that the propesctive buyer examine the engine themselves to consider what work is required.