Alexander Winton was an energetic Scott who settled in Cleveland in 1884 and began building bicycles there in 1891. One of the true pioneers of the American automotive industry, as early as 1907 Winton switched to six-cylinder engines, while three-and four-speed sliding gear transmissions were adopted that same year.
The 1912 Wintons were truly grand and memorable cars. The Model 17C ruled that year with its 48 horsepower six luxuriant 130-inch wheelbase. With prices from $3,000 to $4,500, they were vastly expensive and very fine automobiles. A dozen different bodies were offered on the chassis, but the ones most people associate with Wintons of this era are the five and seven passenger touring cars.
In 1912, the average man didn't have a motorcar, much less one that cost the $3,250 that a Topeka, Kansas, banker spent on his new seven passenger Winton touring car with right-hand-drive. For that money, 4.7 families could have had new Ford touring cars. But there was a big difference between a Ford and a Winton. Big, rugged and powerful, that L-head six featured dry sump lubrication and offered more than twice the pulling power of Henry's Lizzie. It also offered substantially more refinement as well.
This Winton has covered a mere 7,257 miles under its wooden artillery wheels in 92 years. Along the way, the second owner had the car resprayed in the mid-1950s and fitted with a new top. The interior retains its original upholstery and swivel jump seats.
This magnificent touring car is incredibly original and unmolested. It should also fire right up and need very little attention before being pressed back into service.
