Beschreibung:

298ci OHV Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Pope Hartford Carburetor
c.25hp
3-Speed Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
2-Wheel Mechanical Brakes
* In the present ownership since 2011
* Great looking sporting Pope
* Eligible for HCCA and Audrain Veteran Car Tour
* Well setup for brass car events
THE POPE-HARTFORD
Col. Albert Pope was one of the celebrated industrialists of the post-civil war era, having created a highly successful bicycle empire that benefitted from the enormous bike craze of the late 1800s. By the end of the decade, Pope had consolidated over 40 bicycle manufacturers into his American Bicycle Company. The skill set and manufacturing capability of these companies gave Pope a strong basis to enter automobile manufacturing. Having seen that the bicycle craze would be supplanted by Automobiles, Pope began in the 1890s with the Columbia automobile. Primarily an electric car, it gave Pope a toehold in the new market. The Pope automobile empire would eventually include numerous brands including Pope-Tribune, Pope-Toledo, Pope-Robinson, Pope-Waverley and the most enduring, Pope-Hartford. The Pope-Hartford would be the only Pope brand built in the city of the company's headquarters in Hartford, Ct. Begun in 1904 with a single cylinder car, the brand built its first four in 1906 and the fours would be the engine that ultimately built the brands reputation.
Pope-Hartford gained a reputation for being a reliable, well made and soundly engineered automobile. With the exception of the unusual-for-the-time overhead valve engine the cars were conservatively designed and that was no doubt a key to their reputation for durability. Pope-Hartford did participate in racing and most famously won the San Francisco "free for all" in 1909 with a 40hp model. The event celebrated the 300th anniversary of Don Gaspar de Portola's discovery of the bay. The success at this event gave name to the body style Pope is most famous for the "Portola Roadster".
Today few brass car brands enjoy the status Pope-Hartford does, coveted by brass car enthusiasts for their wonderful touring abilities. They are reliable, powerful, good –looking, and not too big. The late cars have the benefit of a four-speed transmissions and electric starting. Pope-Hartford is one of the only brass era marques that enjoys its own exclusive tour – the Pope Tour.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This sporting Pope was bought a dozen years ago for the collection, having previously resided with Neil Larosa in San Diego, California. In the current ownership it was regularly exercised an enjoyed, more often than not with the top discarded and stripped down to be more of a raceabout than a runabout. Such events are known to have included the Millers at Milwaukee gathering in 2012, where it was certainly a sight to behold.
The Runabout is well equipped with a whole host of brass accessories, large Solar headlamps shine out front, sidelamps are mounted to the dash and an acetylene generator sits on the running board, as well as a large brass horn. Tucked away at the rear of the car are modern traffic signals also to aid touring. All of these serve to accent the car's rakish sporting bodywork which is finished in an attractive deep maroon coloring. Contrasting the coachwork are caramel colored leather bucket seats and third seat (with multiple handles to hold onto for that lucky passenger), and a light tan top.
The Horseless Carriage Club Roster of 2006/7 lists this as the only Model L known to that club, they are certainly rare and have always been coveted motorcars, this is a great way to enter that fray.