1908 Holsman Model 10 Runabout

By 1908, Holsman advertising proclaimed the company was the oldest maker of motor-buggies in America and, as its tag line stated, "High wheels travel all roads because all roads are made to be traveled by high wheels." Priced from $550, Holsmans were a solid value, with the company declaring "every part of every machine guaranteed." While not intended for racing, Holsman was successful in competition, winning the Algonquin Hill Climb by taking first and second place in the Motor Buggy Class of what Holsman trumpeted as the "Greatest Hill Climbing Event in America." Despite offering many advantages, Holsman's fierce loyalty to its basic buggy-type design eventually proved to be the company's undoing. Fierce competition and declining sales forced reorganization and a move of production facilities outside Chicago to Plano, Illinois, but the Holsman Automobile Company was finally wound down in 1911.

This captivating 1908 Holsman Model 10 High-Wheel Runabout was discovered in 2007, alongside a 1909 Holsman Model 5 Runabout, inside the milking parlor of a nearby dairy barn by Ray Morey from Restorations Unlimited II of Cary, Illinois. As found, this 1908 Holsman was an upscale Model 10 Runabout, equipped with fenders and retaining its deteriorated original folding top. Mr. Morey completely disassembled, stripped, and refinished the Holsman to great effect, with the vehicle beautifully presented and offered with the 100.5-cid air-cooled, two-cylinder engine in fully running order. The Holsman's rope-drive chain was painstakingly recreated for concours duty; however, for driving and ease of operation, a set of V-belts also accompany the car; only a few minutes of effort are required to switch between them. Paintwork, pinstriping, and abundant brass make this 1908 Holsman a true standout everywhere it appears. Following its restoration, this 1908 Holsman High-Wheel Runabout was shown at the Special AACA meeting in Auburn, Indiana, where it earned its AACA Junior First Prize award. This Holsman would be sold to a well-known horseless carriage member, Konnie Kuiper, before trading hands to the current owner in 2017. Having not been shown since its last AACA event, it presents its next owner with the opportunity to submit it for further judging for possible Senior AACA honors.

The truest expression of the original "Horseless Carriage" concept, this 1908 Holsman Model 10 Runabout is outstanding throughout and historic in every respect as the first motorcar capable of taming Midwestern America's undeveloped early roads. This groundbreaking Holsman is likely the finest example extant.