1930 Ruxton Model C Sedan
- Engine
- 4.4L (269 cu. in.) L-head inline-eight, Zenith dual-throat updraft carburetor, 100 bhp
- Colour
- Multi-tone 'rainbow' scheme designed by Joseph Urban
The Ruxton Model C, chassis 10C112, is among the rarest American pre-war automobiles: one of only 19 survivors from a total production of fewer than 96 units, and believed to be the last example retailed, in 1932. A pioneering front-wheel-drive car conceived by engineer William Muller and styled with Joseph Urban's distinctive 'rainbow' paintwork, it passed through just three owners across its lifetime. Following a comprehensive restoration completed in 2014, it earned seven concours awards across five showings, including appearances at Pebble Beach and Amelia Island.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$357,500
- → 1952Factory deliveryOriginal owner (identity unknown)partial documentation
Believed to be the sole purchaser at retail in 1932, making this the last Ruxton sold new. Identity not recorded in the prose.
- 1952 → 2013Private saleDonlan family of Flint, Michiganfull documentation
Ownership passed within the family to Jack Donlan, who became a recognized authority on the marque and regularly drove and exhibited the car over roughly six decades. A 1952 registration copy is among the supporting documents.
- 2013 →Private saleCurrent owner (prominent concours exhibitor)partial documentation
Commissioned a thorough mechanical and cosmetic restoration completed around mid-2014, overseen by Barry Wolk of Farmington Hills, Michigan, including period-correct interior materials and a rainbow-style paint finish.
Competition
- 2014Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceAccepted and featured as part of a special Ruxton marque reunion
17 of the 19 known surviving examples were gathered; this car appeared on the awards platform alongside three other rainbow-painted Ruxtons.
- 2014St. Petersburg Yacht Club Vintage Motor ClassicMayor's Cup winner
Local Florida event held later in the same year as Pebble Beach.
- 2015Radnor Hunt Concours d'EleganceSpirit of Radnor award and Fashion and the Automobile trophy
Two separate awards received at the same event.
- 2015Edison Concours d'EleganceIllumination Award
Part of a run of seven awards across five concours appearances.
- 2015-03-01Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceSandra Alford Fashion Trophy winner
- —Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance
Car was presented by Jack Donlan at this event during the late 1990s; no award result mentioned.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2014RestorationBarry Wolk / Jocko McNeal
Full nut-and-bolt restoration covering all mechanical and cosmetic elements, supervised by Barry Wolk of Farmington Hills, Michigan. Correct period-specification interior fabrics were sourced from the original factory supplier, and bodywork was refinished in the Joseph Urban 'rainbow' multi-tone scheme by Jocko McNeal of Monroe, Michigan. Completed by mid-2014.
A 34-page photographic record of the restoration process was compiled; the car retains its original Continental L-head straight-eight engine. Interior silk was sourced from Schumacher of New York City.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.