1913 Stearns-Knight Six-Cylinder Sleeve-Valve Touring
- Engine
- Inline-six with Knight sleeve-valve system, ~44 hp by period rating (~100 bhp modern equivalent)
A 1913-model-year Stearns-Knight six-cylinder from Cleveland's F.B. Stearns Company, featuring the smooth Knight sleeve-valve engine rated at approximately 100 modern bhp on a 140-inch wheelbase. Delivered new in Wisconsin, the car survived World War I in storage before passing through the Harrah's Automobile Collection and then to marque authority Art Aseltine, who spent 25 years completing a meticulously researched restoration. It has since earned Senior First Prize at AACA National competition and class honours at multiple concours events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$110,000
- 1948 → 1964Acquisition unknownHoward Adelmann Jr.partial documentation
Lockport, Illinois resident who retrieved the car from storage and got it operational, reportedly consulting F.B. Stearns directly for technical guidance; performed little further work before selling.
- 1964 → 1978Private saleHarrah's Automobile Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired as part of Bill Harrah's preference for the Stearns marque; the collection did not undertake restoration during its 14-year tenure.
- 1978 →Acquisition unknownArt Aseltinepartial documentation
Recognized Stearns authority who acquired the car with only 14,023 original miles showing and spent roughly 25 years on a thorough, well-researched restoration faithful to original colors, mechanicals, and interior materials.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryWisconsin gentleman (original purchaser)partial documentation
First registered owner, identified only by state of residence, per notes compiled by Art Aseltine.
- Date unknownPrivate saleYoung man from Lamont, Illinoispartial documentation
Acquired the car second-hand; departed for military service in WWI and placed the vehicle in storage, where it remained until 1948.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent owner (Stearns enthusiast)partial documentation
Long-standing admirer of the marque who actively exhibited the car at national concours events and loaned it to the Seal Cove Auto Museum for the 2011 season.
Competition
- 20062006 Keeneland ConcoursClass award winner
- 20062006 Glenmoor GatheringSpecial Technology Award
- 2011Seal Cove Auto Museum Exhibition
Car was displayed at the Seal Cove Auto Museum for the entire 2011 season.
- —Antique Automobile Club of America NationalAACA National CompetitionSenior First Prize
Entered by the current owner in AACA judged competition; exact year not stated.
- —Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAACA National Reliability Tour (Brass Era)Completed
Tour specifically for Brass Era vehicles; the car finished the full route.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1948Mechanical
Car recommissioned and returned to running order by Howard Adelmann Jr., who sought technical advice directly from F.B. Stearns to accomplish this.
No significant further work undertaken by this owner until the car was sold in 1964.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive 25-year restoration carried out by Art Aseltine, researched to ensure period accuracy in paintwork, original electric starter, horsehair upholstery, and mechanical components; original jump seats were intentionally left unrestored as they remained in fine condition.
Work began after the 1978 acquisition and was completed over approximately 25 years; Aseltine was a recognised authority on the marque.
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