Simplex 50HP

Posted on December 30, 2022 by classiccarweekly

1912 Simplex Model 50 Five-Passenger Torpedo Tourer

Offered by Bonhams | Scottsdale, Arizona | January 27, 2023

The Simplex 50 was one of, if not the, finest pre-WWI American car built. It was the launch model for Simplex, a company that was formed when Herman Broesel purchased the company that made the S&M Simplex. Engineer Edward Francquist had just finished designing the engine for the Model 50, so it was the first car launched under the new Simplex marque.

The Model 50 remained on sale from 1910 through 1916. It was their most popular – although not their most powerful – model, powered by a 50-horsepower, 9.8-liter inline-four. It was a massive thing connected to a four-speed manual transaxle and dual chain drive. In 1912, this was a sports car, even though it seats five in a big Quimby-built touring car body.

About 250 Simplex 50HPs were built, and this one was purchased new by a Vanderbilt for his fiancée, tennis player Eleonora Sears. They never got married, but she kept the car for about a quarter century. It was most recently restored in the 2000s. This is one of the best pre-WWI cars you can buy, regardless of where it was built. The estimate is a hearty $2,500,000-$3,500,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $4,485,000.

Aero 50 Dynamik

Posted on July 5, 2022 by classiccarweekly

1939 Aero Model 50 Dynamik by Sodomka

Offered by RM Sotheby’s | Monterey, California | August 18-20, 2022

Aero was a Czech company the operated as an automobile manufacturer from 1929 through 1947, with post-war models amounting to 500 units of a pre-war model. The company as a larger unit was primarily known for aircraft, and after it was nationalized in 1947, returned to strictly producing aircraft, which they still do today.

The Model 50 was the largest of the company’s offerings and went on sale in 1936. It remained in production until 1942, making it one of very few cars you could buy new in ’42. It featured a front-wheel-drive layout and sourced its 50 horsepower from a two-stroke 2.0-liter inline-four. Top speed was just over 80 mph.

Only 1,205 examples of the Model 50 were built, with just six of those being the Dynamik with swoopy coachwork from Joseph Sodomka. Two of the six examples built survive. The original owner stuffed this car in a barn during the war and then joined the Czech resistance. After the war, he gifted it to a friend in Colorado, and it was restored in the 1980s. The pre-sale estimate now is $300,000-$400,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $346,000.

1910 National Semi-Racing Roadster

Posted on May 28, 2018 by classiccarweekly

1910 National Model 50 Series S Semi-Racing Roadster

Offered by Bonhams | Greenwich, Connecticut | June 3, 2018

Photo – Bonhams

National is a brand closely linked with racing, specifically the Indianapolis 500. National was founded by L.S. Dow and Philip Goetz to produce electric cars. They eventually switched to gasoline-powered cars, a new direction pushed for by eventual company president Arthur C. Newby, who would go on to co-found the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

National won a lot of races prior to 1910 and even won the 1912 Indy 500. This is a 1910 Model 50 and it’s powered by a massive 8.1-liter straight-four rated at 50 horsepower. The 50 horsepower four was first introduced in 1907 and 1910 would be the car’s final year. It was National’s mid-level model and was sold mainly as a seven-passenger touring car.

This car is a two-passenger racing car. It’s unclear if this is the original style, but likely not as the history of this car isn’t really known prior to the 1990s when it was restored to as you see here. It’s been on museum duty for 15 years but has seen some limited use in tours and rallies. It’s truly an awesome piece and if you’ve ever seen one of these old National race cars in person, you’d remember it. They’re quite impressive. This one should bring between $125,000-$150,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $147,840.