The owner isn’t kidding when he says that his 1912 Cartercar Roadster—recently listed on eBay with a $195,000 price tag—is a rare car.
Cartercars, built in Pontiac, Mich., near where this car is located, were never plentiful.
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The eBay listing reads:
So few were manufactured before the factory closed for good at year’s end in 1915. They simply vanished from the scene. There’s only a handful of these classics left in the world and only three known Roadsters.
Shiny Brass and Maroon Leather Seats
Cartercar.org - opens in new window or tab. documents another one of these cars in Belgium, one in Oregon, and possibly another example in Illinois. But it’s unlikely any of the others are in better condition. The Cartercar for sale on eBay was beautifully restored to 100 points over two years. And it’s reportedly the only one extant with a protective underbelly pan. Most went in First World War scrap drives.
The white paint appears unblemished, and the copious brass shines, making a nice contrast with the maroon leather seats. The detailing, such as the polished wooden dashboard and complex beveling in the headlight glass, is astonishing.
According to the seller, the 112-inch wheelbase car starts, runs, and moves as smoothly as the day it was delivered from the factory. The 40-horsepower vertical twin engine is powerful and a “feast for the eyes.” The tall tires—cars had to traverse a lot of muddy roads in those days—are 36 inches by four inches.
The Inspiration for the Self-Starter
Cartercar’s resident genius was Byron J. Carter, inventor of a friction-drive transmission he patented in 1904. It inspired Charles Kettering to create the first gas car self-starter for Cadillac. Carter founded his car company a year later, a year later, but sadly the man himself—who built his first car in 1899—lived only to 1908.
In 1909, General Motors—constantly expanding under founder William C. Durant—bought Cartercar and Cadillac, Elmore, Welch, Oakland (progenitor of Pontiac), and the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company (which became GMC).
Cartercar, despite having a clutch-free transmission enabling steep grades to be climbed, limped on only a bit longer. Durant eventually made it back to the helm of GM, but by that time, the Cartercar factory (which still stands today) was repurposed to build Oaklands.
History Rolls On
It’s not surprising that this is the only Cartercar on eBay. But there is much available Cartercar literature - opens in new window or tab., including original ads and sales brochures.
In Roadster or Touring form, the car cost $1,250 “fully equipped, including Delco electric starter, electric lights, and horn.” The Kettering starter that Carter inspired was already on his cars by then. A 1910 ad says that a Cartercar “will travel any road any automobile can travel and many roads that others will not.”
The gearless transmission was a big part of the car’s appeal, but not enough to keep the company in business. In a bit of bravado, Cartercar said that only by dramatically increasing production could it possibly sell for the bargain price of $1,250.
Recent prices for ultra-rare Cartercar examples are all over the map. Bonhams sold - opens in new window or tab. an unrestored but decent example in 2019 for $47,040.
The eBay seller offered the impeccable 1912 Cartercar Roadster with a Buy-It-Now price of $195,000. The person who takes custody of this 110-year-old automobile will own a treasure of automotive history. And they will have the splendid responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
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