At 2019 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance weather was not really on its best behaviour.  In the afternoon sun decided to come out and we were treated to an amazing collection of cars from 1903 Columbus Electric and 1903 Cadillac Model A Runabout to 2006 Ford GT.

     The best of the show was 1938 Mercedes Benz 540K Cabriolet, and Outstanding Post-War vehicle was 1954 Siata 200 CS.  This then bring us to the star of this story, Outstanding Pre-War choice, 1917 Locomobile 48 Type M Series 7 Tourer

     Locomobile built in Bridgeport, Connecticut, introduced the Model 48 in 1911, which endured as long as the company produced automobiles.  Locomobile was perhaps most famous for its sporty design, considered to be the first dual-cowl phaeton.  Dual-cowl meaning that there are two windshields, second being between front and the back seats. And Phaeton being light, open four-wheel carriage, touring car with four doors and a folding top.  Designer for the Dual-cowl was J.Frank deCausse of Kellner Studios of Paris, and the coach builder was Farnham & Nelson company of Brookline MA.  De Causse's style was simple, individual and distinctive but also has stood the test of time to be recognized as some of the best designs of the period, elegant in their understatement and simplicity. De Causse's fenders, simple curves that followed the wheels' radius and equally simple straight extensions into the running boards, balanced the bodies' flat panels. His designs avoided compound bends, but picked out the edges of important elements with raised beads.

It is finished in Pacific Coral with Deep Slate Blue Gray body and fenders.  This car is powered by 550 cubic inch six cylinder engine with vertical T-head developing 82 horsepower. Transmission is 4 speed, with 2-wheel mechanical brakes.  Front axle features semi-elliptical springs with floating rear axle.

     The Locomobile Model 48 was one of the most expensive and elegant automobiles ever manufactured in the United States, and as such it became known as the “Best Built Car in America”. These vehicles were built to customer specifications and created to satisfy their needs and desires.  Cecil B.DeMille, Charlie Chaplin, Vanderbilt and their peers were some of the owners of these luxury automobiles

     This specific car was deliver to Boston Locomobile dealer on May 12, 1917, and then transferred to Farnham – Nelson coach builders. It was commissioned by Louis K. Ligget, founder of Rexall pharmacy empire.  The car was designed with a cape top, which cover the rear passenger compartment, attaching to the rear windscreen. It also has a tarp top which attaches from front wind screen to the rear windscreen.

Sources

http://www.locomobilesociety.com/history.cfm
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2005/03/01/hmn_feature17.html
http://www.classiccarweekly.net/2012/06/01/locomobile-model-48/

https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/29856,14376/1917-locomobile-model-48.aspx

https://journal.classiccars.com/2018/06/21/impeccably-refined-locomobile/

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21223/lot/529/