FEATURE - 1916 Cole V8 'Tourcoupe'

Every car buff knows of Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, Cadillac, Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, etc. But beyond those well-known American names, and some less familiar ones like Nash, LaSalle, Hudson, Oakland and Willys, there's literally a universe of long-gone American automobile manufacturers. One of the smaller stars from that universe, but one that shone quite brightly for a period, was Cole.

 

 

Yes, the car you're looking at here is called a "Cole." And no, it has nothing to do with supermarkets, annoying jingles or a "big red hand."

 

Born and raised in Indiana, Joseph J. Cole made a name for himself in the horse-drawn, then horseless carriage industries. In both instances, Cole's operations were based out of Indianapolis. That name, of course, should need no introduction!

 

In 1909, the same year as the foundation of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but two years before the first Indy 500, the 'Cole Motor Car Company' was established. The first product of Cole's carmaking venture was the 'Model 30'; a 14hp four-cylinder priced from US$725 - undercutting the then-new Ford Model T.

 

From those humble beginnings, Cole soon decided to go more upmarket with his automobiles.

 

"1910 saw the introduction of the four-cylinder 30hp Cole Flyer runabout and a 4-passenger touring car," said Russell Holden of Old World Lamps and Tyres, who owns the Cole featured.

 

By 1913, the starting price of a Cole had more than doubled, with the range-topping six-cylinder 'Sixty' Berline Limousine listing for a whopping US$4,250. This exceeded the cost of even the most expensive Cadillac of the period; a competitor that Cole sought to beat.

 

 

Cole added innovations and developments as they arrived in the industry, like electric starting, pneumatic tyres, electric lights and a V8 engine.

 

While Cadillac is widely regarded as having introduced the V8 engine in late 1914, they weren't the first and not even the first American manufacturer to offer a bent eight. Two other forgotten US marques, Buffum and Hewitt, both produced a V8 in approximately 1907, but Cadillac made it commercially viable.

 

As Cadillac was his main competition, Cole felt obliged to offer the same powerplant.

 

"While Cole maintained that his V8s were produced in-house, many auto historians believe that the motors were obtained from the Northway facility owned by GM - the same factory that produced the Cadillac and Oldsmobile V8s," Russell explained.

 

The Cole V8, a 5.3-litre 39.2hp unit, was introduced in late 1915 for the 1916 models. Cole displayed such faith in the engine that he dropped the four- and six-cylinder models entirely.

 

 

At the time, using bought-in components was seen as a negative by some elements of the US auto industry, with cars like Cole's dubbed "assembled cars" and considered lesser machines than those where most of the componentry was made in-house by the manufacturer.

 

Cole preferred the term "standardised car," as the components he used were, in his mind, the accepted standard for quality in the industry.

 

"It was this type of intrigue that first led me to exploring the early Cole V8s," Russell said. "A few years ago, I was lucky enough to come across this rare example of what Cole called their Model 8-50 'Tourcoupe' in Galt, California."

 

Russell was told that the 8-50 had been delivered new to a doctor in nearby Lodi and never journeyed beyond the two cities until it was parked in a barn and forgotten.

 

"It was rescued by local restorers in the 1970s and moved through a few owners, each doing their bit on the restoration, right through to the early 2000s, when it was finally finished."

 

The Tourcoupe was an unusual concept. As the name suggests, it combined features of a closed coupe and open tourer. The four-seater's fixed roof offered weather protection, but the windows could be completely removed, giving the car a pillarless look and open air feel.

 

 

"I purchased the car in 2012, with a view to driving it on the 'Grizzly Bear Tour' in northern California before shipping it home," Russell explained.

 

That two week tour, covering more than 800 miles (1,280 kms), allowed ample opportunity to explore the Cole's strengths and weaknesses. Solid and drivable, the car completed the Tour, thanks in part to what Russell called a little "Aussie ingenuity" to get it through.

 

"Once home, completion of things missed in the US restoration has made this car a real joy to own.

 

"The 127 inch wheelbase and long springs, combined with the V8's powerful performance, give an excellent ride. It's a lovely car to drive and a fabulous example of veteran comfort and speed."

 

Want to enjoy some veteran comfort and speed yourself? This car is for sale - see the breakout box for details.

 

 

This very rare veteran is currently for sale through Old World Lamps and Tyres in NSW.

 

While there are enough Coles in the USA to have an owner's club, the Tourcoupe is rare, with only three examples - including this one - in existence worldwide.

 

Here in Australia, Russell believes there's only one other Cole of any type; a 1919 model being restored in Victoria.

 

Currently on NSW historic registration, the car would be simple to transfer to the equivalent club or historic registration for an interstate buyer.

 

In exceptionally good running order, the asking price for this rarity is $69,000.

 

 

 

 

This article first appeared in JUST CARS #241.