1929 Ruxton Model A Sedan
- Engine
- 215 cu in (3.5L) aluminum V8, Buick-sourced, with Offenhauser valve covers
The Ruxton was a short-lived American front-wheel-drive automobile produced by New Era Motors circa 1930, designed by William J. Muller and notable as the first true production FWD car from a US automaker. Fewer than 100 were built, and only 19 intact examples survive. This particular sedan is believed to be the first production example and the original bearer of the distinctive 'rainbow' horizontal-stripe paint scheme designed by Broadway artist Joseph Urban. Restored in the late 1970s, it won its class at the 1980 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$313,000
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration undertaken by owner Doug Shinstine, including minor alterations to the paint color arrangement and hood design, installation of new blue cloth interior trim, and fitting of period-appropriate Woodlite headlamps. A correct replacement engine was installed, most likely during this same work.
Restoration is estimated to have taken place in the late 1970s. The car retains all original hard-to-source components aside from the replacement motor, which is considered acceptable for the marque given the absence of matching chassis-to-engine numbering.
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