Vintage Racing
At Its Best 1907 "Washington Times" Race
By Sharon
McLellan
Click
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:
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:
N E W
S P A P E R A R T I C L E S
Click
for larger view
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
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.
P
H O T O G R A P H S
Click
for larger view
Two 3x5 photo
postcards showing John A. Lutz in 1906 Oldsmobile
after two different 1000 mile non-stop runs
in April 1906 and April 1907. Comes with envelope
which has drawing of R. Harris & Company
jewelers in Washington, DC.
* 3x3 framed photograph showing 1905 Oldsmobile
Touring Car carrying ladies in formal attire.
* Six 3x5 photographs of vintage racing.
* Two 2x3 photographs showing 1904 Pierce
Arrow driven by Lutz on Washington to Virginia.
* 3x6 framed
photograph showing Barney Oldfield at Bennings
Race Track in 1905.
* Racing at Benning Race Track with John A.
Lutz.
* 1906 Packard
Touring Car. John A. Lutz at wheel posing
with policemen on bicycles.
* 1906 Packard Touring Car. John A. Lutz at
wheel, with Rudolph Jose beside him.
1906 - Benning
Race Track. Eddie Bald at wheel
S
A L E S L I T E R A T U R E
Sales
Literature -- 01
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.
Sales Literature
-- Set 02
* "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.
Click
for larger view
Sales
Literature -- Set 03
"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.
Click
for larger view
Sales Literature
-- Set 04
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.
Click
for larger view
Sales Literature
-- Set 05
"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.
Click
for larger view
Sales Literature
-- Set 06
The Automobile Blue
Book: Section No. 3, New Jersey - Pennsylvania
/ South and West, The Class Journal
Company under the exclusive official endorsement
of the American Automobile Association,
1907. A touring guide to the best and most
popular routes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
An indispensable book if you were touring
in a 1907 automobile. Cover is damaged and
edges of book are aged, but pages are in
excellent condition.
Click
for larger view
Also includes
a second racing trophy inscribed:
Click
for larger view
Click
for larger view
2" Prize 5 Miles
Gasoline Touring Cars
$4500 or less
Benning June 16, '06
Won by John A. Lutz
Driver M. R. Bird
Time 7.14.
Trophy is Wilcox Quadruple Silverplate,
patented Aug. 12, 190_. #323. A hole has been
bored 1" up from the base.
If you are
interested in purchasing this collection click here.
