1906 Studebaker Model G
- Engine
- 280.6 cu. in. T-head dual-cam inline-four, ~36 bhp
Chassis 841, a 1906 Studebaker Model G with a T-head dual-cam four-cylinder engine and three-speed Garford gearbox, is reputedly the oldest surviving four-cylinder Studebaker. Dormant in rural New Hampshire for decades, it was rescued in the 1940s by pioneering collector Henry Austin Clark Jr. and later acquired by Bill Harrah for his celebrated Nevada collection. After passing through several subsequent owners it was fully restored and won Best in Class at both the Meadow Brook and Amelia Island concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$250,000 – US$350,000
- 1906 →Acquisition unknownDoctor in New York Citypartial documentation
Reported original owner; no documentary evidence cited beyond the claim itself.
- 1909 →Acquisition unknownNathan Wheelerpartial documentation
Retired physicist at Calley College, New York; considered the vehicle obsolete and stored it at his rural New Hampshire residence.
- → 1968Private saleHenry Austin Clark Jr.partial documentation
Discovered the car in storage in the 1940s in sound original condition; had it restored and reportedly loaned it to Studebaker for a promotional film shot in Florida in 1953.
- 1968 → 1982AuctionBill Harrahfull documentation
Purchased at the Parke-Bernet Larz Anderson sale for $6,750; kept on display at his celebrated Reno collection. Inventory and sale cards survive.
- 1982 →Private saleBob Valpeypartial documentation
Brought the car back to New Hampshire and initiated a restoration effort that was left incomplete.
- 2005 →Private salePrevious owner before consignmentfull documentation
Completed the full restoration, added an electric starter, and sourced the correct soft-top components; comprehensive photographic restoration documentation accompanies the car.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDr. Leo Parnagianpartial documentation
Michigan-based owner who continued the restoration begun by the previous custodian.
Competition
- 2005Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance1st in class
The car's public debut following completion of its restoration; took top class honors.
- 2006Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance1st in class
Shown after additional cosmetic detailing work; again awarded best in its class.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1982Restoration
Bob Valpey initiated a restoration after acquiring the car; the work was subsequently continued by Dr. Leo Parnagian and then by the following owner from 2005 onward.
Multi-owner restoration programme spanning from approximately 1982 to 2005; full photographic documentation of the process is said to accompany the car.
- 2005Modification
An electric starter was fitted to ease operation, and the correct set of side curtains together with a top cover were sourced and fitted as part of completing the car to concours condition.
Work completed in preparation for the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance debut.
- —Restoration
A restoration was carried out during Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s ownership; the car was reportedly still in largely intact original condition when he acquired it.
Exact scope and date of this first restoration are not specified in the prose.
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