1912 Oldsmobile Defender Touring

80155roadUnited States

Engine: 298 cu in T-head inline-four, 35 hp
Colour: Two-tone grey with dark red wheels and pinstripes

A 1912 Oldsmobile Defender Touring, one of only 325 examples produced that year from a total Oldsmobile output of 1,075 vehicles. Powered by a 35-horsepower, 298-cubic-inch T-head four-cylinder engine, the Defender was the sportier, smaller sibling to the Autocrat and Limited in Oldsmobile's prestige range. This example features non-standard electric cowl lamps, a glazed cowl vent, and a two-tone grey livery with dark red wheels. It underwent a complete professional restoration completed in 2013 and subsequently appeared at the 2014 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$140,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
→ 2011
Fellow collector of rare early American automobiles
partial documentation
Previous custodian from whom the most recent owner acquired the car in 2011.
2011 →Private sale
Most recent owner
partial documentation
Purchased from a fellow early American car collector and commissioned a thorough professional restoration finished in 2013; subsequently used the car on tours and at concours events.

Competition

2014
2014 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
Car was exhibited at this concours following completion of the 2013 restoration.

Maintenance & restoration

2013
Restoration
Full professional restoration completed, encompassing bodywork finished in two-tone grey with dark red wheels and pinstripes, button-tufted oxblood leather interior, polished nickel and brass fittings, period-correct aluminum floorboards, and a heavy-grain vinyl hood with fitted boot.
Restoration was commissioned by the most recent owner after acquiring the car in 2011.

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