The Jerry S. Foley III Estate Collection Selling at Gooding & Co.
Santa Monica, Calif. (May 5, 2023) — The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, Gooding & Company, has announced its first set of consignments for its 19th annual Pebble Beach Auctions. The Jerry S. Foley III Estate of two incredible Brass Era cars, the 1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout and the 1913 Lozier Type 72 Meadowbrook Runabout, along with two concours-quality Classic Era stunners, will be offered for auction later this summer. On Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19, Gooding & Company will host its most anticipated event of the year at its marquee located at the Pebble Beach Parc du Concours. Consignments for the upcoming sale are still open; individuals interested in selling their vehicles for this event are strongly encouraged to promptly reach out to a Gooding & Company specialist today.
“We are proud to kickstart the countdown to our Pebble Beach Auctions with this especially significant grouping of Brass Era and sporting classic cars,” said Gooding & Company President and Founder, David Gooding. “The phenomenal Jerry S. Foley III Estate features the absolute pinnacle of the Brass Era with the Mercer Raceabout, and the Lozier Meadowbrook, a treasure that has not been offered for sale in over six decades. Along with our Classic Era selections, these cars represent the crème de la crème of the early automotive world.”
The Jerry S. Foley III Estate
Gooding & Company has the unique privilege of presenting two important American Brass Era automobiles from the Jerry S. Foley III Estate. Mr. Foley, a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida, was a passionate collector of vintage automobiles, and throughout his lifetime, amassed an extraordinary collection. He was regularly active in the community, frequenting concours and events all around the US where his cars won countless awards. He and his late wife, Carolyn Foley, traveled the country on many vintage car tours and rallies, as he was a member of numerous vintage car clubs throughout the years. Since 1957, Mr. Foley served as the Director of the Florida Region Antique Automobile Club of America, and even initiated the creation of the Florida Horseless Carriage License Plate. Gooding & Company is proud to honor Mr. Foley’s life and legacy as a prominent collector and custodian of America’s most important Brass Era vehicles.
1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout (Estimate: $3,000,000 – $4,000,000)
America’s first true sports car, the Mercer Raceabout was the brainchild of talented designer and chief engineer Finley Robertson Porter and industrial manufacturers, the Roebling and Kuser families of Brooklyn Bridge construction fame. With the introduction of the T-head Raceabout, which was introduced in late 1910 for the 1911 model year, Mercer took the American racing world by storm, utterly dominating the scene for the next five years. Boasting a top speed between 70 to 80 mph, the Raceabout was incredibly fast for its time, and started off by clocking victories at the Panama-Pacific Light Car Race in San Francisco with Charles Bigelow at the wheel, followed by the Savannah Challenge Trophy in 1911. In 1914, Mercer became the first American-made automobile to win the American Grand Prix. The Raceabout was the car of choice for the best drivers of its day, and was driven by Ralph DePalma, Spencer Wishart, Eddie Pullen, Hugh “Hughie” Hughes, and the great Barney Oldfield. With an impressive power-to-weight ratio, thoughtfully selected gear ratios, and agile handling, the Raceabout proved successful both on the road and the track. Its minimalistic, purposeful design incorporated two bucket seats and a monocle windshield, leaving the driver, cockpit, and everything in between exposed to the elements – resulting in a fully visceral driving experience like no other.
The 1914 Mercer Type 35-J Raceabout presented here, chassis 1967, is one of just four known 1914 Raceabouts to survive today. It features a highly desirable and rare four-speed gearbox, as opposed to the three-speed gearbox cars produced for 1911-1912. It is powered by a four-cylinder T-head engine that produces 60 hp at 1,900 rpm, and its low-slung chassis is laid out in right-hand drive. It is appropriately finished in a bright Canary Yellow with black striping and black leather upholstery. In its early life, 1967 was owned by Socony Oil, the predecessor to today’s Mobil petroleum company. In 1935, it was driven by Mercer team driver Barney Oldfield, and shortly thereafter used in the match race for early racing cars at the start of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup, where it was driven by another Mercer team ace, Ralph DePalma. This exceptionally rare Raceabout was eventually purchased by legendary opera singer James Melton, becoming the centerpiece of his world-famous collection. Melton was one of the first celebrity car collectors, and wrote many books on automobiles, in addition to housing his most cherished pieces in a museum. After Melton’s death, the Raceabout eventually made its way to Jerry Foley’s collection, where it remained for over 50 years. This remarkably significant piece of American automotive history presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the discerning collector with a keen interest in the very best of the Brass Era.
1913 Lozier Type 72 Meadowbrook Runabout (Estimate: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000)
In the early 1880s, Henry Abram Lozier founded the Lozier Manufacturing Company, heavily investing in the production and manufacture of the Cleveland bicycle. Lozier would go on to sell the company for an incredible fortune of $4 million, which would allow him and his son, Harry, to make the foray into the world of motoring. In the early 1900s, Harry Lozier turned his attention to the internal combustion engine. The Lozier Motor Company was founded, with its headquarters located in Plattsburgh, New York. The company initially produced marine engines, but in 1905, redirected its focus to high end motor cars. Within a few short years, Lozier had relocated its headquarters to the heart of New York City, employing several hundred people in its pursuit to make one of the finest automobiles of its time.
Lozier automobiles featured exceptional engineering and machinery, inspired by Europe’s finest cars of the period. The vehicles were engineered by John G. Perrin, who drew inspiration from the brilliant mechanics of German marques and sophisticated styling of French automakers. Loziers featured an unprecedented stamina, proving strong and enduring – differentiating them from most all other cars of the time. The Type 72 was introduced mid-season in 1912, incorporating changes from earlier models including conversion to left-hand drive and multi-point ignition. It carried the same engine as the preceding T-head Type 51, as well as the same 131” wheelbase. The 1913 Lozier Type 72 Meadowbrook Runabout presented here is a historic example of one of the rarest and most sought-after early American automobiles. The sporty-looking two-seater features a luxuriously appointed and comfortable driver’s seat, and emphasizes a performance-oriented feel. This highly authentic sporting car boasts a rich history of rally and show accolades throughout its life. Last offered for sale in 1959, when it joined the collection of Jerry Foley, the Lozier encapsulates the history and legacy of an iconic, albeit short-lived, American manufacturing legend.
1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet by Castagna (Estimate: $4,000,000 – $5,000,000)
Arguably among the finest European cars of its time, this 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet is an incredibly authentic example featuring elegant, open coachwork by Castagna. Chassis 2311214 was issued a Certificate of Origin on September 29, 1933, and just a few days later, sold to its first owner, Mr. Erminio Cidonio of Ravenna, Italy. The Cabriolet remained in Italy until 1939, when it made its way across the Atlantic to arrive in the US. In early 1942, enthusiast Haig Ksayian purchased the car from George Rand’s famous Long Island City dealership, and it remained in his ownership for just about 50 years. The 8C was preserved in static storage for 40 of those years, no doubt contributing to its impeccably preserved condition. 2311214 was later acquired by David Sydorick of Beverly Hills, California. Its next owner, Bud Lyon, commissioned the renowned Paul Russell and Company to carry out a thorough restoration following inspection by noted Alfa Romeo authority Simon Moore. The car was finished in a period-correct deep blue above the belt line and on the fenders, accented by a dark, rich claret on the body and wire wheels. The chassis, engine bay, and suspension were all finished in the correct workshop grey. This luxurious build includes classic Jaeger gauges on the dashboard, as well as an eight-day clock, and Galanti free-wheeling, which is a rather unusual accessory for such a purpose-driven car. The completed car made its debut at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, and after running on the Tour d’Elegance, won its prestigious class, the European Classic Open 1922-1934. Acquired by its current owner in 2009, the 8C 2300 Cabriolet has remained in single ownership for the past 14 years, and with its highly documented provenance, proves an enticing occasion for sophisticated collectors.
1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet by Saoutchik (Estimate: $2,500,000 – $3,500,000)
This 1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 Cabriolet, chassis 14018, is one of only nine original-bodied open J12s known to exist. Its Jacques Saoutchik coachwork perfectly complements the prestige and peerless performance of the Hispano-Suiza chassis. This 12-cylinder J12 was delivered to its first owner on December 30, 1936. It remained in various European and UK collections throughout the next several decades, eventually being sold to Michel Seydoux, a filmmaker, businessman, and heir to the Schlumberger oil fortune in the mid-1970s. M. Seydoux did not part with 14018 until 1985, when the J12 finally made its way overseas to join the collection of a highly regarded American collector and longtime Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® judge. It remained with this collector for the next 25 years, during which time it underwent a complete mechanical rebuild to prepare it for high-speed touring. Renowned restorer and prewar automotive specialist Rick Hamlin was trusted with a majority of the restoration work. After the rigorous rebuild, the J12 participated in Hispano-Suiza Society Rallies in Spain and California, as well as the Colorado Grand and CCCA CARavans. It was acquired by the current owner in 2010, who commissioned a restoration by the very best specialists in California’s Bay Area: Phil Reilly & Company worked on the engine, Perfect Reflections did the paint and bodywork, and Ken Nemenic directed the reupholstery. This beautiful, show-quality car was shown at Pebble Beach in 2013, where it won the Alec Ulmann trophy, in addition to being exhibited at Chantilly.
Pebble Beach Auctions
Dates: Friday, August 18, at 5 p.m. PDT, and Saturday, August 19, at 11 a.m. PDT
Location: Pebble Beach Parc du Concours
Public Preview: Wednesday, August 16 through Saturday, August 19
Auction Catalogues: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auction
General Admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auction
Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register
Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com
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