1907 Columbus 10HP Twin-Cylinder Autobuggy

Offered by Bonhams | Amelia Island, Florida | March 7, 2019

There were quite a few Columbus and Columbia-branded automobiles in the early days of motoring. The Columbus Electric was a fairly popular one, and there was another, completely separate “Columbus” that operated in 1913 and 1914. But this car was built by the Columbus Buggy Company, who could trace their history as a buggy manufacturer back to the Civil War-era.

This car is actually a relative to the Columbus Electric, as a few investors purchased the gasoline-powered side of the business in 1905. They sold gasoline-powered Columbus highwheelers like this in 1907 and 1908. The cars were engineered by none other than Eddie Rickenbacker and are powered by a 1.6-liter twin-cylinder engine making 10 horsepower.

They sold these for $750 before moving on the Firestone-Columbus, a more modern automobile. This car has rope drive and, it would appear, a whip in case it all goes to hell and you need a horse to pull you. That, or to scare children and/or peasants out the way. This car should sell for between $30,000-$50,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $62,750.

1906 Columbus Electric Model 1000 Stanhope

Offered by RM Auctions | Hershey, Pennsylvania | October 11-12, 2012

1906 Columbus Model 1000 Electric Stanhope

The Columbus Buggy Company of Columbus, Ohio was founded in 1875 by Clinton Firestone and his partners, brothers George & Oscar Peters. Columbus, Ohio was known for the plethora of buggy manufacturers but by the turn of the century the automobile was gaining traction in America. In 1903, the Columbus Buggy Company turned to these motorized machines.

Both gasoline and electric cars were available. This Model 1000 Electric Stanhope has a 24-volt DC motor making 1.5 horsepower. It was restored before most collectible cars were new and looks as old as it is. It has been in collections and museums constantly since the 1940s.

Columbus went belly-up in 1913, but not before having given people like Harvey Firestone and Eddie Rickenbacker their start in the business world. This car is a rare example of this marque and is expected to sell – even in its somewhat rough condition – for between $40,000-$60,000. For more info, click here. And for more from RM Auctions, click here.

Update: Sold $52,250.