1903 Stevens-Duryea Model L Runabout
- Engine
- 159.5 cu in (approx. 2.6L) horizontally opposed two-cylinder L-head, 7 hp
A circa-1903 Stevens-Duryea Model L two-cylinder runabout with documented Massachusetts registration dating to September 1903, this car represents the pioneering collaboration between J. Frank Duryea and the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company of Chicopee Falls. Originally owned by a Massachusetts physician who stored it in his barn rafters from 1910, the car passed through several documented hands before restoration in the late 1940s and decades on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. It retains original leather fenders and period paint from its Felton-era restoration.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$120,000 – US$150,000
- 1903 → 1941-10-25Factory deliveryDr. Arthur B. Coffinfull documentation
First registered owner, based in New Dorchester, Massachusetts. Used the car in medical practice and for leisure, then stored it suspended in his barn rafters from mid-1910 until sale.
- 1941-10-25 →Private saleCambridge mechanicpartial documentation
A mechanic based in Cambridge who displayed the car as a promotional tool for his repair business.
- 1948 →Acquisition unknownMr. and Mrs. George E. Feltonpartial documentation
Boston-based couple who commissioned a full restoration of the car after acquiring it.
- → 2012Acquisition unknownIndianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museumpartial documentation
Acquired from Mrs. Felton; displayed the car for many years before placing it in storage. De-accessioned in 2012.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBostonian gentlemanpartial documentation
An unnamed Boston-based owner who placed the car in storage as a speculative investment.
Competition
- —Providence racerecord set
One of six competitive records set by Stevens-Duryea Model L cars between 1902 and 1904; location was Providence, Rhode Island.
- —Ormond Beach racerecord set
One of six competitive records set by Model L cars in the 1902–1904 period; held at Ormond Beach, Florida.
- —New York to Boston 500-mile runrecord set
A long-distance reliability-style trek forming part of the six-record campaign for the Model L.
- —Eagle Rock Hill climbrecord set
Hillclimb at Eagle Rock Hill in New Jersey, one of three hillclimb records set by Model L cars in the 1902–1904 period.
- —Commonwealth Avenue hillclimbrecord set
Hillclimb on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, part of the same multi-event record campaign.
- —Mount Washington hillclimbrecord set
Hillclimb at Mount Washington in New Hampshire, completing the six-record tally for Model L cars.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1948Restoration
A full restoration was undertaken on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Felton after they acquired the car. The work has proven durable, with the paintwork remaining presentable more than six decades later.
Original leather fenders survived the restoration and remain in place, showing only minor edge wear.
- —ServiceKeysor Automobile Works
Mechanical recommissioning carried out to return the car to running and driving order following its de-accession from the museum in 2012.
The workshop was formerly operating as Steve Bono Restorations and is located in Bouckville, New York.
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.