2025 |
Amelia Island Auctionsc. 1904 Stevens-Duryea Model L Two/Four Passenger Stanhope
From The William Alley Collection
Estimate
$60,000 - $80,000| Without Reserve
Chassis
645
Engine
126
Car Highlights
A High-Quality, Two-Cylinder Veteran Motorcar
Formerly in the Collection of Earl R. Snodgrass
Driven on the 1996 Centenary London to Brighton Run
Versatile and Original Convertible Stanhope Coachwork with Two- and Four-Passenger Seating
Highly Respected American Marque
Technical Specs
159.5 CID Horizontally Opposed 2-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
Estimated 5 HP at 600 RPM
3-Speed Manual Gearbox
2-Wheel Rear Brakes
Front Solid Axle with Fully-Elliptical Leaf Springs
Rear Live Axle with Fully-Elliptical Leaf Springs
William Alley has had a long fascination with the Stevens-Duryea brand; in all, there are four examples in his collection, which both bookend and chart the progression of the company, starting with this Model L.
Enthusiast Warwick Eastwood built a register of surviving Stevens-Duryea cars, which rests in the hands of his nephew, Pete Eastwood, today. From that we can confirm that this Model L has been known since the immediate postwar era, when owned by Andrew Hope of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and identified by its body number (645).
Mr. Hope sold the car in June 1980, after which it passed into Fred Weber’s well-known collection in St. Louis, Missouri, then to Charles Le Maitre and, by 1982, it rested with Mike Reid of Vancouver. From Mr. Reid it relocated in 1984 to Tom Feil of Yonkers, New York. Next, it went to noted collector Earl R. Snodgrass, who drove the car on the 1996 Centenary London to Brighton Run. Mr. Alley acquired this early example of Stevens-Duryea production in the early 2000s. It is noted that the car carries engine no. 126, a number which is early in their sequence and may be a 5 hp unit.
In HCCA club circles for decades, this Model L offers the potential of future London to Brighton Runs subject to being formally dated.
*Please note that this vehicle has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to road use.