Once in a lifetime opportunity

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gorms68
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Once in a lifetime opportunity

Post by gorms68 »

Yesterday we had the chance to bid on a car we have long wished to own. Aside from MG's our main passion is cars from the Brass Era and more specifically Chandler cars. Chandler only made cars from 1913 to 1929, of this period only the first two years qualify for the HCCA. Unfortunately none of the first year cars are known to exist, that leaves us with 1914. There are three known to survive. One in WA that is a project that we have known about for a while.

Then there are the other two in Iowa. In effect we are all just caretakers of these cars we drive and restore. Last year the owner of the Iowa cars passed away. His estate auction was yesterday. He had one project touring car that was partially restored and would be a great find if the price was right. But we had our eye on his pride and joy. We placed an online bid and crossed our fingers. The auction was fairly well advertised and was also a live auction with riders in person, but in Iowa.

We placed our first bid and received the following description in the bid confirmation:

1914 Chandler

Only known running example, Has JR, SR and Preservation Awards along with 100 year-old plaque from the AACA, beautifully maintained and restored, featured as Centerfold in the September 2014 HCCA Gazette Magazine, Serial Number 1320

Dad's 1914 Chandler
(This story was originally written by Dad for the first Chandler-Cleveland Motor Club Reunion. Revisions and more details have been added from other stories that Dad told throughout the years.)
This 1914 Chandler Touring was purchased by Mr. Wm. Kramer in late 1914 from the Central Auto & Supply Company of Waterloo, IA. The earliest record for this car is a letter from the Sparks-Withington Company, makers of the Sparton horn. Mr. Kramer had sent the horn in for repair in April of 1915, and they returned the repaired horn at no charge, testifying to their unconditional guarantee. At this time, Mr. Kramer's address was Bristow, IA.
Mr. Kramer moved to Allison, IA from the farm in about 1925. By then, he had also acquired an Essex Sedan and a two seated top buggy manufactured by a Des Moines company.
Many people attempted to purchase the Chandler alone, but Mr. Kramer insisted that all three vehicles needed to be sold as a unit. Dad and a friend from the Cedar Valley Car Club went to Allison to see if Dad could buy all three, but he was not able to do so. Mr. Kramer was very proud of the Chandler and took very good care of it. He would put oil in each cylinder and crank it over every few weeks. He always kept it jacked up and set on blocks to keep the tires off the ground. The last registration that he had that came with the car was for 1929. It set in the barn until about 1962.
Dr. William F. Moore of Grafton, IA, was the successful purchaser of all three vehicles. At that time, the Chandler had only traveled 5429 miles. In 1964, Dad was hired by Dr. Moore to completely restore the Chandler. The car was completely disassembled, and everything was checked to be sure that it was not damaged in any way. The car was given new paint and striping, new tires, and a new top. All of which made it look like the day it was delivered. The car, to this day, still has its original upholstery.
Dr. Moore exhibited the car at the AACA National Antique Car Meet in 1969, and it received a 1st place trophy. When Dad took the Chandler back after the show, Doc said to come up to the house for lunch. Doc asked for his bill. Dad said he had no bill. He would just like to have 1st chance to buy the Chandler when Doc no longer wanted it. Dad would not give him a bill. Dad said he had more fun than a barrel full of monkeys showing it.
In 1977, after an unexpected illness, Dr. Moore passed away. Dad assisted Mrs. Moore with preparations for the estate to sell all the antique cars that Doc had in his collection. When she was ready, she contacted Dad about the Chandler to follow up on the "deal" that Doc and Dad had made. Mom and Dad went up to Grafton. Mrs. Moore told Dad that he could buy the Chandler, and she named her price. Dad thought that it was a little high. So, he consulted with Mom, and her reply was, "Well, you came up here to buy it." That was it. Dad bought the Chandler!
In the over forty years that the Chandler has been in the Wintz family, it has been shown at AACA meets where it has received its Senior Award, Preservation Awards, and 100-year-Old Car plaque. It has been on several Glidden Tours, Reliability Tours, and Horseless Carriage Club of America Tours. It was the centerfold in the September 2014 Horseless Carriage Club of America Gazette magazine. Information on this car was also included in the May/June 1983 HCCA Gazette magazine. After this article was published, Dad did more research on it and discovered that the earlier registration of the car as a 1915 was incorrect based on the serial numbers. The serial numbers for 1914 go from 501 to 2500. This vehicle's number is 1320. He was able to correct the registration and correct the title. This car is the only known 1914 Chandler that is complete and in running condition. It is the oldest Chandler in running condition.
A new battery was installed in 2018. Additional new front seat cushions were made to use when taking the car on tour. The original seat cushions, as well as the original side curtains, are included. The current two-man top and side curtains are in excellent condition. The original owner's manual comes with the car. The car has always been garaged. Exterior color is blue with silver pinstriping. Fenders and top are black. Interior is black leather. Odometer reads 15,606. The speedometer was refurbished in 2017. This unique automobile would be an excellent addition to any collection.


After reading this we realized this was more than just another purchase of an old car and thankfully decided to raise our bid. Now a trip to Iowa in the making!
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Chris Gorman
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Steve Simmons
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Re: Once in a lifetime opportunity

Post by Steve Simmons »

We've already spoken at length about it, but reading the story is just so great. That's a special car not just for its age and originality, but also the known history and that it has been well cared for its entire life. Most cars of that age were brought back from the dead, but this one seems to have always been loved. I can't wait to see it in person! :thumbs:
Stewart
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Re: Once in a lifetime opportunity

Post by Stewart »

Nice buy! Driving it back?

Really neat seeing a car that's been taken care of so well since new.
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Larry Kluss
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Re: Once in a lifetime opportunity

Post by Larry Kluss »

What a great story and fabulous car. Congratulations, Chris!
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gorms68
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Vehicles Owned: 1914 Chandler model 15
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Re: Once in a lifetime opportunity

Post by gorms68 »

Update

Found out from the auction house that the car had sat for the last year without being stared. Two days before the auction with the help of the daughter that grew up with the car, an attempt to see how the engine runs was made. To everyones delight she started up on the first try. The auctioneer said the car just purred! He had not seen or heard an engine run so smooth after sitting. A true testament to the previous owner Harold.

Current plan is to drive out last week of May with truck and trailer to bring her home.

I can't wait!

Road Trip!
Chris Gorman
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gorms68
Core Member
Posts: 678
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:10 pm
Vehicles Owned: 1914 Chandler model 15
1929 Chandler model 65
1966 MGB roadster
1968 Mustang Dlx coupe
Location: Monrovia

Re: Once in a lifetime opportunity

Post by gorms68 »

As of Sunday morning we are about 10 hours out

Been an epic trip that has included wonderful scenery, lots of rusty sightings, and good footsteps local hangouts.

Our trip to Iowa to deliver a 1909 Model T went very well and afforded us some time to explore the farm roads of Nebraska and Iowa.

Once we got the Ford out of the trailer it was time to focus on our new Chandler. First order of business was get it started and out for a first drive.

Following the starting instructions we were given we could not get spark. After a little while we found that the Bosch magneto was really just acting as a distributor, there was a hidden coil under the dash controlled by a dashboard switch. Once we had spark the engine happily fired to life. This was one final test the previous owner had for us to prove we were worthy of the responsibility of next caretaker.

Once warmed up a test drive was taken that proved how well this car was set up.

Unfortunately for my Ford truck the new car in the trailer weighed twice as much as the little model T it took to Iowa. Though we are a little slower on the grades everything is going very well.

While the country around us has experienced rain, hail, winds, and tornadoes, we have somehow breezed though with minimal issues.

Looking forward to the final leg of the trip and more time behind the wheel of the Chandler

Pictures when I get back
Chris Gorman
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