1912 Winton Model 17-C Seven-Passenger Touring
- Engine
- Large-displacement multi-cylinder, ~48 bhp
- Colour
- Two-tone buff and caramel
A 1912 Winton Model 17-C Seven-Passenger Touring car, one of the refined brass-era automobiles favoured by prominent American families of the period. Delivered new to Kilburn Harwood Roby Jr. of Illinois, it was garaged from 1916 to 1950 before being discovered and returning to active use. Subsequent owners including William S. Castle, George Schuetz, and Tom Wall used it extensively on touring events; it was restored during Schuetz's ownership and has covered a cross-country route as recently as 2021.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$179,200
- 1912 → 1950Factory deliveryKilburn Harwood Roby Jr.partial documentation
Original purchaser, based in Decatur, Illinois, later relocated to Pasadena, California. Stored the vehicle in a garage from 1916 until it was rediscovered around 1950.
- 1950 → 1987Private saleWilliam S. Castlepartial documentation
Enthusiast from Speedway, Indiana, who acquired the car after a friend discovered it in storage. Used it extensively on long-distance tours across the country over 37 years.
- 1987 → 1996Private saleGeorge Schuetzpartial documentation
Had the car restored to its current two-tone color scheme and continued entering it in events during his ownership.
- 1996 → 2019Private saleTom Wallpartial documentation
Described as a dedicated Winton collector and historian from Wisconsin. Participated in HCCA events and maintained the car meticulously; nicknamed it 'The Mountain Goat' with his wife Donna.
- 2019 → 2019InheritanceTom Wall estatepartial documentation
Car passed through the estate following Tom Wall's death before being sold to the next owner.
- 2019 →Private saleUnnamed enthusiastnone documentation
Briefly held the car before it was acquired by the current owner; no further detail provided.
- Date unknownPrivate saleNorthern California Winton enthusiastpartial documentation
Long-standing Winton owner based in Northern California who completed a cross-country tour with the vehicle from New York to Pebble Beach in 2021.
Competition
- 1953Glidden TourGlidden TourDriver: William S. Castle
One of several long-distance touring events the car participated in during Castle's ownership.
- 2021New York to Pebble Beach cross-country tour
Current owner drove the car on a coast-to-coast tour, echoing the historic 1903 Winton transcontinental journey.
- —Horseless Carriage Club of AmericaHCCA touring eventsDriver: Tom Wall
Car was regularly entered in HCCA events during Tom Wall's ownership from 1996 onward.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1987Restoration
Car restored to its present two-tone buff and caramel colour scheme during George Schuetz's ownership.
- —Modification
Lighting system converted from original voltage to a 12-volt electrical setup to facilitate touring use.
Carried out during a prior ownership, exact date unrecorded.
- —Mechanical
Recent mechanical sorting including fitting new cylinder jugs and replacement of the transmission shaft; additional original jugs, a new lower block casting, extra engine components, and spare wooden-spoke wheels were also obtained.
Work undertaken by or for the current owner; exact date not stated.
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