1904 Winton Two-cylinder touring car
- Engine
- Two-cylinder
- Colour
- Bright magenta
A 1904 Winton two-cylinder horseless carriage, among the final examples of that configuration produced by Alexander Winton's Cleveland firm, which built fewer than 1,000 vehicles that year. The car has been officially dated as a 1904 model for London-to-Brighton Emancipation Run eligibility and has participated in that event. After engine trouble on the Run, it was repatriated to the United States and entrusted to Charlie Wake, a great-grandson of Alexander Winton, who carried out a documented engine rebuild before the owner undertook a long-distance drive from Indiana to the New York Adirondacks in tribute to the 1903 Jackson–Crocker transcontinental journey.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$198,000
- Date unknownBritish ownerpartial documentation
This owner arranged for the car to receive official 1904 dating, qualifying it for the London-to-Brighton Emancipation Run.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Purchased from the British owner; after engine trouble on the London-to-Brighton Run, had the engine rebuilt by Charlie Wake and subsequently drove it from Indiana to the New York Adirondacks as a tribute to the 1903 Jackson-Crocker transcontinental journey.
Competition
- 1900Gordon Bennett Cup1900 Gordon Bennett CupDriver: Alexander WintonDNF — wheel failure
Historically notable as the first American car to take part in a European motor race.
- 1902Grosse Pointe match raceDriver: Alexander WintonDNF — ignition issues
Run against Henry Ford's 999, driven by Barney Oldfield; Winton's Bullet retired with electrical problems.
- 1903Gordon Bennett Cup1903 Gordon Bennett CupDriver: Alexander WintonDNF — mechanical problems
Winton entered two eight-cylinder Bullets; both retired, marking the end of his personal racing career.
- 1904-08-01Glenville track speed record attemptDriver: Earl KiserNew record set
Kiser, a Dayton native who replaced Barney Oldfield on the Winton team, established a new speed mark at Cleveland's Glenville circuit.
- —London-to-Brighton Emancipation RunDNF — engine failure
The car was officially dated as a 1904 vehicle by a British owner to qualify for the event; engine trouble forced retirement and prompted a subsequent rebuild upon return to the United States.
- —Grosse Pointe match race re-enactmentDriver: Charlie Wake
Edsel Ford III challenged Wake to recreate the historic Winton-versus-Ford 999 contest; because the 1904 car differed significantly from the original racer, Ford Motor Company built two replica vehicles for the event.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuildCharlie Wake
Following engine failure during the London-to-Brighton Run, the engine was fully rebuilt by Charlie Wake, a great-grandson of Alexander Winton; the entire process was filmed and documented progressively.
Work was carried out after the car was returned to the United States from the UK.
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