1916 Cole 860 Series 30 Touring Car

By 1916, the Cole Motor Car Company was already a well-established car maker. After several models that began around 1904, the company had four body styles of Series 30 cars and sold 783 of them by the time 1905 came around. In mid-1915, Cole substituted a V8 where fours and sixes were once used, and they installed engines built by the Northway company which had built engines for Cadillac and was a division of General Motors. Cole had a great run and developed many models and variations, but the recession of 1922 would hurt the company and they were liquidated in 1925.

For consignment, a rare 1916 Cole 860. How rare? According to the Cole Motor Car Registry, only 79 are known to still exist of the 40,717 produced throughout the marque's existence. Despite being high quality automobiles and “ahead of their time” in some respects especially with a V8 engine under the hood, most simply disappeared from existence. We're thrilled to have this stunning example at Classic Auto Mall, offering a unique opportunity for the discerning collector or someone who wants to start in the hobby with a somewhat obscure orphan brand from 100 years ago.

Exterior
A remarkably smooth body bathed here in Norland Green paint has an amazing presence in our halls. This is a tall car, standing on 34-inch wooden-spoked wheels with 4-inch wide tires. For contrast, the grille, running boards, windshield frame, and folding top are dressed in black. A mesh grille features a “Cole 8” metal cutout, and this logo appears again on the spare tire cover mounted on the back, and held in place with saddle leather straps. The engine cover has louvers on each side for venting, and the headlights are Macbeth-Evans with distinctive green “eyebrows”. A Boyce motometer monitors coolant in the radiator and is mounted above the outstretched wings of the ornament. A brass side mirror attaches to the window frame for the driver and large canopy-like canvas top has a unique profile with narrow back and long overhang, providing cover from sun and rain in this otherwise open-air car. A single “stop” light is on the tail, along with a long exhaust pipe.

Interior
Black leather door panels greet you on all four doors which are restrained by more saddle leather straps. A sliding door actuator is near the top with a brass knob and solid metal track. The two front seats are large bucket-style which seem to melt into support structures which flow directly from the body and continue the Norland Green paint. It's an unusual, seamless configuration that is as practical as it is dramatic. The second set of doors are mounted on this midway structure and open to a large space on the drivers side allowing easy access to the leather bench in back. This is 1916 and the robust, button back seats are a holdover from horse carriages which are being produced simultaneously. A pair of jump seats sits between the front passenger seat and rear bench and can be stowed forward to allow for ingress and egress of passengers. This is a seven-passenger car, so three on the back bench and two on the jump seats. Leather hold-straps are attached to the back of the front seat structure. The wood and steel steering wheel have some levers needed for starting preparation while the wood dash has just three gauges and a number of unmarked buttons and knobs. The flat floor is framed in brass and houses the shifter, parking brake and pedals. It's all an amazing package especially when you remind yourself it's over 100 years old.

Drivetrain
The 346.3ci Northway M-309 V8 is here and fed by a single one-barrel Stromberg carburetor. It is tied to the original 3-speed manual selective sliding gear transmission. Power is transferred to the rear wheels where 4.45 gears reside. The engine bay appears very original.

Undercarriage
Things couldn't be more simple or clean. Most everything is black under here, from the driveshaft to the exhaust to the linkage. Only a copper gas line breaks the monotony. A stock style muffler interrupts the single exhaust, hushing it on the way to the back. It's all very clean and original and with 34-inch wheels, it's easy to access. The car is equipped with mechanical drum brakes on the rear only and leaf springs front and rear minimize the road vibration.

Drive-Ability
Open the throttle, retard the spark, pull the choke, press the clutch. I think we got it! The V8 starts and off we go….back to 1916! Reminiscent of a stagecoach, we are high up, looking over the big green hood like a giant steel horse. Our consignor states the car never failed to garner applause when participating in parades, and we can see why…it rolls along with an impressive profile that is unique for cars of the time. The car ran well on our test and the brakes, thankfully, worked well however the horn is disconnected due to some wiring issues.

This car won a first prize Junior Award in its first foray in competition at the 2020 AACA Eastern Nationals, imagine how many more trophies, awards, and accolades are in its future. This is a very rare automobile with a history and name not many people know. Fortunately, there's a national club, a registry, and occasional gatherings for support. Its presence is undeniable and we can't wait to meet the next caretaker of this fabulous antique.

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!