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| August
2006 Issue |
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| ARTICLE |
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for PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION |
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Vintage
Racing At Its Best
1907 "Washington Times" Race |
| By
Sharon McLellan |
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for full view |
In 1907 the "Washington
Times" newspaper sponsored a "Sealed
Bonnet Contest" and announced that any driver
who finished the race from Washington, DC, to
Frederick, Ellicott City and Baltimore, Maryland,
and back to Washington without stopping to raise
the hood for repairs would receive a silver cup.
Drivers lined up to compete but only twelve crossed
the finish line. One of those drivers was John
A. Lutz who was presented the following silver
cup:
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additional views of trophy click here |
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Lutz was the Washington, DC,
dealer for Oldsmobile, Packard, Buick, Pierce
Arrow and Studebaker Electric automobiles. His
entry was a 1906 Oldsmobile [newspaper article
incorrectly reported car as being a Packard] which,
with no top or windshield, cost $4,000. The run
was over dirt and rocky macadam roads and he later
said that "you could ruin a new car 'demonstrating'
it between here [Washington] and Frederick".
December 10th, 2007, will mark the 100th Anniversary
of this race and we are pleased to announce that
we have acquired the original trophy and assorted
memorabilia. The collection includes:
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E W S P A P E R A R T I
C L E S |
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| "The
Washington Post", Friday, August
14, 1931 - "When Washington Was
Younger -No. 13". Includes photograph
of "gas buggies" in front
of Washington Light Infantry Hall during
auto show sponsored by National Automobile
Company. |
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| "The Washington Times",
Wednesday, November 18, 1936 - "Auto
Show Recalls Big Race Sponsored by Times
in 1907". Includes photograph of
eight entries lined up before the race. |
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| "The Washington Daily
News", Wednesday, November 3, 1937
- "They Were Wondering Whether
the Auto Was Here to Stay". Includes
photographs of Senator Chauncey Depew
in a runabout, John A. Lutz racing at
Benning Race Track, Lutz in his Packard
and reproduction of Lutz's Automobile
Operator's Permit dated July 7, 1905. |
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| "Times Herald",
Saturday, February 25, 1950 - "Old-Time
Race Driver Still Hitting on All Four".
Includes photographs of Mr. Lutz polishing
the trophy and of him in his 1906 Packard. |
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| Twelve undated news clippings
about Mr. Lutz's involvement in "Conduit
Road Test Case". He was arrested
for speeding on Conduit Road, fined,
and the clippings show progress of the
case and his appeals. Also includes
letter signed by John A. Lutz which
was sent to numerous individuals soliciting
contributions to pay attorneys to represent
"automobilists" and their
right to use the road. |
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H O T O G R A P H S |
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A L E S L I T E R A T U R E |
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| Sales
Literature -- 01 |
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| 1905
Packard dealer card. Front of card is
photograph showing side view of 1905
Packard open touring car. Reverse side
has photograph showing three-quarter
frontal view of car, with discussion.
Poor condition, with two folds. |
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| Sales
Literature -- Set 02 |
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* "Oldsmobile
News Letter", Vol. 2, No. 21, May
21, 1907. Poor condition, with three
folds, one of which has almost detached.
* March 4, 1907 - Bill of Sale for Oldsmobile
Model "B" Runabout.
* January 20, 1908 - Contract for receipt
of $100 deposit on Oldsmobile Roadster.
* February 18, 1908 - Proposal and Contract
for Oldsmobile Model "X" 35
H.P. for $1,950 and payment terms. Signed
by John A. Lutz.
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| Sales
Literature -- Set 03 |
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"Oldsmobile:
Sixes and Fours" (Models 42 and
55), c1915: 28 page non-color catalog,
11x8. Gray roughcut cover has art
rendering showing Oldsmobile touring
car driving on big city street. Five
full page photo renderings show Oldsmobile
Six Model 55 7- Passenger touring
car and Oldsmobile Four Light Model
42 touring car (top up and top down),
Roadster and 7-Passenger touring car.
Fourteen additional photographs and
drawings show exterior, interior,
engine, mechanical parts, features
and manufacturing facility. Includes
discussion and specifications.
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| Sales
Literature -- Set 04 |
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Fisk
Road Book, Howard S.
Fisk, 1914. Contains 75 maps and 300
automobile routes with correct mileage
from Washington, DC, to adjacent states.
Cover shows significant handling and
staining and seam is separated, but
interior pages are in very good condition.
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| Sales
Literature -- Set 05 |
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"Motor Talk",
Vol. 1, 1905. Bound set of twelve
consecutive issues of "Motor
Talk: A Magazine of Outdoor Sport"
magazines from Vol. 1, No. 1, Jan.
through Vol. 1, No. 12, Dec. 1905.
Very well illustrated with photographs
and advertisements from the period.
Magazine concentrates on Oldsmobile
automobiles.
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