Legacy Metrics

1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat

65877roadUnited States
Engine
T-head inline-four, approximately 500 cubic inches displacement, modified with exhaust-heat producer-gas fuel system
Colour
Yellow with black trim

This 1911 Oldsmobile Autocrat Tourabout, famously known as 'Yellow Peril,' was acquired new by Maryland-born mining engineer and eccentric John Henry Greenway Albert, who stripped its factory coachwork and fitted a custom aluminium boat-tailed body of his own design, along with an experimental exhaust-heat gas-generating system. Raced on the East Coast in the 1910s, it later became the centrepiece of the annual Helldorado parade in Tombstone, Arizona, which Albert himself founded. The car has passed through several distinguished collections, undergone multiple restorations, and accumulated well over 15,000 miles in modern touring use, retaining its original engine, drivetrain, and much of its coachwork.

Ownership

  1. Auction sale
  2. Auction sale
  3. 1911 → 1968Factory delivery
    John Henry Greenway Albert
    partial documentation

    Original purchaser; had the factory bodywork replaced with a custom aluminum boat-tail body of his own design and developed an unconventional exhaust-heat gas-generating fuel system. Used the car both for racing and for annual Helldorado parade duties in Tombstone, Arizona, storing it locally between events.

  4. 1968 → 1972Inheritance
    Mrs. Albert
    partial documentation

    Relocated to Tucson after her husband's death and maintained the car there for approximately four years before selling it.

  5. 1972 →Private sale
    Thomas Hubbard
    full documentation

    Well-known collector and longtime friend of the Albert family; published a detailed article on the car in Antique Automobile (March–April 1977), a copy of which remains in the vehicle's file. The car was in largely original condition when he acquired it.

  6. → 1999Private sale
    Bill Lassiter
    partial documentation

    Florida collector whose holdings were characterised by historian Dennis Adler as focused on powerful, rugged automobiles. The car remained in this collection until 1999.

  7. 1999 →Private sale
    Phil Bray and Carol Bray
    partial documentation

    Enthusiastic touring owners from Grosse Ile, Michigan, who accumulated over 15,000 miles across North America with the car. Commissioned a fresh restoration completed in 2008, after which the car was shown at Meadow Brook.

  8. Date unknownPrivate sale
    Curtis Graf
    partial documentation

    Texas-based owner who undertook a comprehensive restoration, removing Albert's custom fuel system and replacing the modified engine cover. Subsequently entered the car in endurance rally competition.

  9. Date unknownPrivate sale
    Current vendor
    partial documentation

    Acquired from the Bray family some years prior to the sale; continued active touring use and professional maintenance within a notable private collection.

Competition

  1. 1915
    Washington Labor Day race
    Driver: John Henry Greenway AlbertDNF — engine fire

    Car skidded on a wet board surface, went off into roadside vegetation, re-entered the course, and passed numerous competitors before being forced to retire due to an engine fire; account comes from the owner's own recollection.

  2. 1984Great American Race
    Great American Race

    First of three consecutive participations under Curtis Graf's ownership.

  3. 1985Great American Race
    Great American Race
    Top 10 finish

    Best recorded result across the three-year run of participation.

  4. 1986Great American Race
    Great American Race

    Final year of participation under Graf's ownership.

  5. 2001
    Trans-Continental Tour

    Participated under Bray ownership as part of extensive North American touring activity.

  6. 2002
    Red Rock Tour

    A roughly 3,000-mile tour traversing the Canadian Rockies, undertaken by the Brays.

  7. 2008
    Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance
    Best in Class

    Displayed immediately upon completion of the Brays' restoration.

  8. Road and track events in Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., and East Coast
    Driver: John Henry Greenway Albert

    Owner drove with his chauffeur Columbus Ridge serving as riding mechanic across multiple events; few surviving period records confirm specific results.

  9. Helldorado Parade, Tombstone

    Annual civic parade in Tombstone, Arizona, founded by Albert in 1929; the car transported the Helldorado Queen each year and participated regularly until Albert's death in 1968.

Maintenance & restoration

  1. 1911
    Modification

    Factory Tourabout coachwork was stripped and replaced with a custom lightweight aluminium boat-tailed body designed by Albert himself. A bespoke exhaust-heat gas-generating system was also engineered and fitted to the engine.

    Work carried out by Albert and his chauffeur Columbus Ridge.

  2. 1962
    Restoration

    Two-week refurbishment by Albert: bodywork repainted in fresh yellow and black enamel and new tyres fitted.

    Described by Albert himself as a restoration, though limited in scope.

  3. 2008
    Restoration

    Comprehensive restoration commissioned by the Brays following extensive touring use of over 15,000 miles.

    Car was shown at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance upon completion and received a Best in Class award.

  4. Modification

    Car was adapted for road and parade use through the addition of a 'mother-in-law' seat and a collapsible fabric hood.

    Fitted prior to Albert's annual Helldorado parade duties beginning in 1929.

  5. Service
    Local Tombstone mechanic

    Annual recommissioning carried out each year ahead of the Helldorado parade; car was stored at a Tombstone garage between events.

    Routine seasonal preparation repeated over several decades.

  6. Restoration

    Full restoration carried out by Curtis Graf, which included removal of Albert's bespoke fuel-injection system and replacement of the modified engine cover.

    Date not specified; undertaken during Graf's ownership, prior to 1984 Great American Race entries.

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Each chassis record is compiled from public auction archives and links to its source material. Ownership, competition and maintenance entries are extracted from those catalogue listings by an LLM, which can make mistakes — please contact us with any corrections. The summary is Legacy Metrics’ own writing; we do not reproduce catalogue text.

“Full” and “partial” documentation labels indicate how well each entry is corroborated in the underlying sources, not an audit of the car’s physical paperwork. Names of recent or living owners are withheld for privacy.