1907 Stoddard-Dayton Model K Runabout

1907 Stoddard-Dayton Model K Runabout

Stoddard-Dayton was a high quality car manufactured by Dayton Motor Car Company in Dayton, Ohio, USA, between 1905 and 1913. John W. Stoddard and his son Charles G. Stoddard were the principals in the company.

In 1904, John Stoddard decided to exit the agricultural implement business from which he had earned his fortune and instead to manufacture high quality automobiles for the emerging market in the United States. He sent his son Charles to Europe to tour continental automobile manufacturers. Charles returned convinced that electricity and steam were outmoded forms of propulsion. The earliest cars used Rutenber engines ("Let your steed be worthy of your chariot") and had 4605 cc engines. Six-cylinder engines appeared in 1907. The final range consisted of three four-cylinder models and a Knight sleeve valve six. The company adopted a strategy of building the highest quality motor cars with powerful engines. Henry J. Edwards (b. ca 1872 England–) was the auto designer and Chief Engineer of the company. Low-end models were dressed in 15 to 18 coats of paint, each coat hand sanded and rubbed out. The limousine model had 27 or 28 coats of paint, similarly applied. After assembly, each car was driven on public roads for 150 miles to 400 miles, then the engine was disassembled, the cylinders re-honed, valves touched up, and then reassembled and road tested again. Cars began to be delivered in late 1905, sold as 1906 models.

Stoddard established a reputation as winning race cars in sprint races, hill climbs and dirt track races all over the Midwest. Because these cars were all stock models, Dayton Motor Car lost no time in letting the motoring public know. In 1909, a two-seater Stoddard-Dayton won the first race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, averaging 57.3 miles per hour. The first pace car ever was a Stoddard-Dayton driven by Carl G. Fisher to start the Indianapolis 500 in 1911. In 1906 there were three models: Runabout, $1,250, equipped with 15 horsepower "T"-head engine Touring car, $2,250 Limousine, $3,200, equipped with 35 horsepower engine (and 28 coats of paint)

In 1909, Stoddard-Dayton formed the Courier Car Co in Dayton to produce a smaller, lighter, and lower-priced version of the Stoddard-Dayton, called the Courier.

This exceptionally well restored Roadster is one of just a handful known to exist. Finished in a stunning Black Livery with lots of Brass, this exciting car exudes the period like few other cars can. Fitted with White tires, it also comes with a set of Black Walls for touring.

Descriptions & pictures by significantcars & classics-oldtimers-cars