Is it a 1901 Peerless?
Monday-December 10, 2007
Alex Watt has a problem. He bought a car off of eBay. It looks like a broken-down, low rent piece of lawn art. But Alex saw what he thinks are some very rare bones: the remains of a 1901 Peerless.
We recently read about his story on the Veteran Autolamps web site.
He spotted the car in an eBay listing and drove his pickup 4,700 miles round trip to Florida to pick up the collection of wood, rusty metal, and 10-speed tires for wheels.
What makes this Brass Era bucket of bolts special is that if it really is a Peerless, it's one hell of a rare buggy.
Peerless was a high-priced marque often revered as highly as Packard and Pierce-Arrow. In 1901, Watt believes that the company made only about 150 cars. To make things more difficult (or more interesting, depending on your POV), documents and photos of early Peerless cars are just as scarce as the cars themselves.
So what gives Watt the bright idea that he has a Peerless? "The car has a very different control system," he explained to us. "The steering and control arm is on the right side of the car with the gear shift located below the steering arm," he continued. "The brake is located on the inside edge of the seat, and the throttle is on the outside edge adjacent to the brake lever."
Incredibly, Watt has had some luck finding parts for the 106 year-old car. "So far we have found the correct engine, a 2 & 3/4 horse De Dion Bouton single cylinder (engine)." But he still has a few things to locate before he's ready for the London to Brighton Run. "The other items that I am still searching for are the gearbox, the rear axle, and the correct wheels."
Watt could use your help. He's still not absolutely sure the car is a Peerless. "If anyone knows of any other car that has this control configuration I would like to know." He also needs documentation. "I am also looking for any photographs that will help me ensure that the restoration is correct."
Can anyone help Alex put this unique one-banger back on the road? If so, send some email to Alex. He'd love to hear from you.
He spotted the car in an eBay listing and drove his pickup 4,700 miles round trip to Florida to pick up the collection of wood, rusty metal, and 10-speed tires for wheels.
What makes this Brass Era bucket of bolts special is that if it really is a Peerless, it's one hell of a rare buggy.
Peerless was a high-priced marque often revered as highly as Packard and Pierce-Arrow. In 1901, Watt believes that the company made only about 150 cars. To make things more difficult (or more interesting, depending on your POV), documents and photos of early Peerless cars are just as scarce as the cars themselves.
Incredibly, Watt has had some luck finding parts for the 106 year-old car. "So far we have found the correct engine, a 2 & 3/4 horse De Dion Bouton single cylinder (engine)." But he still has a few things to locate before he's ready for the London to Brighton Run. "The other items that I am still searching for are the gearbox, the rear axle, and the correct wheels."
Watt could use your help. He's still not absolutely sure the car is a Peerless. "If anyone knows of any other car that has this control configuration I would like to know." He also needs documentation. "I am also looking for any photographs that will help me ensure that the restoration is correct."
Can anyone help Alex put this unique one-banger back on the road? If so, send some email to Alex. He'd love to hear from you.