1902 Murray 5HP Runabout - VCC Dated
Registration No. BS8334
Car No. 24
Engine No. 162
VCC Dating Cert No. 2407 (2003)
‘One of 2 remaining on the road’
‘Restored to the highest standard’
£52,000 GBP
The hidden potential of the automobile industry was seen by a number of early Lenawee County investors and businessmen.
The Church Manufacturing Co., located in Adrian on Church Street near the Wabash Railroad line, had been “studying the mysteries of the gas engine” since at least the middle of 1899.
The Murray motor car, the namesake of its designer Mr. Willis Grant Murray, had already been perfected at the Church facility, and the influx of capital from Michigan Motor Co. would provide the opportunity to take the Murray into full production. In an effort to attract investors and raise the needed capital, Michigan Motor Co. bragged that within 30 days they could secure sufficient contracts for the car to “tax the capacity” of the factory for two years. The plan was to turn out about 200 cars per year.
Contrast this claim to that of the Olds Mobile Co., which said it had orders for 4,000 of its automobiles already in hand. Regardless, the Murray was touted as being a much better machine containing “many improvements over” its competition.
The car had a chain drive and was steered by a “tiller” rather than a steering wheel, as is common today. It had a 5-gallon gas tank and could reach speeds of 35 mph.
A Murray car was sent to the Chicago automobile show in March 1902, where it was considered “probably the handsomest piece of work ever turned out of this city” and was believed to be a leader in auto circles. Following this Murray experimented with numerous advertising campaigns, one of which saw a Murray car deliver the mail in Adrian a feat that it achieved successfully in ‘less than half the time it takes the carrier with his horse’. Orders for 200 cars were taken but never fulfilled as Murray found himself in $60,000 worth of debt by the time he had produced 10 cars.
Presented here is Car number 24 the earliest surviving Murray Motor Car today and one of only 5 survivors. This example is the early 1902 style of which 2 remain featuring a distinctive side tiller and spoked flywheel.
The car was found by a gentlemen by the name of Bellm’s who resided in Sarasota, Florida. The car was located in the attic of a barn in Ohio in completely original, untouched condition, totally complete. Bellm’s purchased the car in the 1950’s and superficially restored the car and displayed it in his personal museum for some 40 years. The car next changed hands when it was owned by a Mr Baker from the East coast of America who was looking to sell the car in 1998, at this point the car was 1 of only 2 complete cars and the only driving on the road. The car was then purchased by Mr P G Morris of Ferring West Sussex.
It was from this ownership that the car was purchased by Mr Nigel Parrott in 2004, at which point a meticulous restoration of the car was once again undertaken. The car was mechanically overhauled completely and retrimmed with new upholstery. The car went on to complete 15 consecutive London to Brighton Runs under the Parrott ownership and has been maintained to the highest standard over the last 22 year ownership. The car now benefits from Wet weather apron, electric starting and tool bag that mean the car is useable in all conditions. The car is capable of a comfortable 30mph.
This 1902 Murray motorcar offers a new custodian the opportunity to purchase a completely restored car that is one of 2 survivors that are currently on the road. There are not many cars that you could drive to Brighton tomorrow without worry, this however is one of them.
