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Brass Era Driver: 1911 Hupmobile Roadster

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Little is known about this Hupmobile, and little information is offered in the ebay listing. We suspect that this Roadster is based off of a 1911 Model 20. Looking to be an older restoration, this Hupmobile has a nice look, and appears complete from what can be seen. Being sold by a friend, this Hupmobile’s reserve price has been lowered in hopes of moving it onward to its future home. Currently bid up to $6,875 with a buy it now price of $17,500, we suspect this one will be sold this time around. Find it here on ebay out of Plainsboro, New Jersey.

1911-hupmbile-1

With little information offered, we are a bit weary of what the situation is on this Hupmobile. It is listed as being a runner driver, but usually “Brass Era” automobiles command quite a bit of coin, and usually there is a wealth of information tied to the car to inspire such a purchase. Looking the car over, we mostly see a very nice car in fair condition, likely being an older restoration. There is some paint missing on the engine covers near the hinges. The brass is bright, and the dash and floors are in nice shape with no issues. The wood wheels looks nice and solid, with no reason for any concern. The fold down windscreen also looks nice as well as the glass. The spare engine looks to be in fair shape, although missing a set of cylinder liners, and a cylinder head.

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For some one wanting to get into a brass era car this may be your chance. The reserve price is likely lower than the buy it now price, and for a running driving brass era car that’s pretty reasonable. You likely won’t be going faster than about 45 miles per hour, but the smiles, the looks, and the thumbs up, will likely make you feel as if you are going at break neck speeds. Who is low on brass era cars? Perhaps you are looking for something different and fun to put around in? Either way, who wants this interesting Hupmobile?

Comments

  1. Avatar Glen

    What I don’t understand is; why is something so old and I assume pretty hard to come by, not worth a fortune? I see much newer and more plentiful cars going for more/ lots more than this. Perhaps I should be happy that they aren’t more, because I like the old stuff.

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    • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

      Something like this has little practicality, and real world usability.

      You aren’t dragging the kids along for a ride because there is no room, you hope that it won’t rain, you aren’t picking up any cargo, you aren’t straying too far from home or your mechanic/parts stash, and you aren’t keeping up with traffic.

      As hobbiests we are used to giving up modern conveniences and performance but usually we are trading those for some sentimental attachment.

      Most people alive today didn’t have one of these as their first car, or remember driving in one on vacation as a kid.

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      • Avatar Dave Wright

        Practicality and usability are far from the most important issues for people on this forum…….otherwise we would all be driving Toyotas. If weather or safety was a huge issue why are Harley Davidsons of all ages so popular?

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      • Avatar Bobsmyuncle

        Clearly that’s why I said;

        As hobbiests we are used to giving up modern conveniences and performance but usually we are trading those for some sentimental attachment.

        However, in the manner nearly EVERY car enthusiast uses their car, something like this Hupmobile is simply unsuitable.

        Try selling a ride in this on a rainy day, or a cold morning to the average missus.

        Heck you can’t even bring the dog, or stop on the side of the road to check out the garage sales as there is no space for any found treasures.

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      • Avatar Aaron

        What’s popular? Usually, the cars that you admired when you were young. Now you’re old enough to afford one, and you’re competing against other people who are old enough to afford one, and the price starts going crazy. Think 60s and 70s Porsche, American 60s and 70s muscle cars; Stuff that older boomers either had, or wished they’d had. A decade or two ago, it was 50s cars.

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  2. Avatar RoughDiamond

    @Glen-I’ll share my two cents worth if I may. There are fewer and fewer brass car era enthusiasts around every year because they are dying off. When you factor in it’s a very small segment to begin with and there’s no real interest or demand in them from other Generations (much like the trend with Model T and Model A Fords), to drive the prices up, they can be bought for relatively cheap dollars. My guess is Wayne Carini probably has his eye on this one.

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    • Avatar Glen

      Thanks RD . It certainly makes sense that if very few are interested, it won’t have much value. I do like the old stuff, if for no other reason than because it’s old.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Dairymen

    If the vehicle is running, why is it so hard to take it outside, clean it up a little before you take pictures? Some people have no clue about marketing whatsoever!

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    • Avatar John b

      I agree. However, the web site is Barn Finds, so keeping it true to the name, it makes sense to keep it dusty and pushed in a corner.

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  4. Avatar Fred W.

    They still bring big bucks at some auctions like B-J (I found one nicely restored for over 30K) but the guys that like these are nearly gone. There is hope though, I watched an episode of Chasing Classic Cars where Wayne helped someone sell 3 high dollar 30’s and 40’s cars because he wanted to buy one quality brass era car. Looked like the guy was well under 40.

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  5. Avatar Jay E.

    One thing about selling on ebay is that it WILL tell you the value that the market is willing to pay for an item, good or bad. I sell steam traction engines and one of the first suggestions I offer when someone (usually an estate) asks what it is worth (and they don’t like my appraisal) is that they put it on ebay for the price they WANT. If it is unrealistic, the market will let them know and they will then know what it is WORTH. I’m usually within 5%.
    As someone pointed out, there seems to be a generational mismatch on these kind of items, and they often go unsold until the price is a screaming bargain as compared to other slightly more desirable pieces.
    This Hupmobile appears to be one such example, I’m amazed at the low buy it now. In my experience cars that must be hand cranked to start are far less desirable to the masses as making them run can become very frustrating. I would love to own this, but would far rather have bought that original 55 Chevy 4 door a week or so ago for similar money…

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Joe Haska

    Custom tube frame, small block Chevy, 6-speed, quick change, Salt flat wheels, super low, andon to the AMBR. ” I’m Kidding” Just agreeing with “RoughDiamond” in a round about way.

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  7. Avatar John H. in CT

    I go to the Klinggberg events in Connecticut ( the big event featured on an episode of CCC this year), and there are always a number of brassies. More suprisingly, a number of the owners are in their 40’s. There is clearly a new generation emerging, and the best, early brassies are pulling well into 6 figures. I think it is a fascination with the mechanical simplicity and craftmanship. My own 19 daughter thinks that brassies are cool!

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  8. Avatar grant

    I’ve said it before but how can someone not love this? It’s over 100 years old and it still works.

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  9. Avatar Richard Douglass

    The reason this car will go relatively cheap is the condition, their are not that many people pursuing these cars ,so prices are low except for the really nice ones. It would be very easy to be upside down in this one so nobody is lining up to restore these ones. This is one I would like to have,i definitely want a brass era car, but I’m in the middle of three projects already,(1939 Buick special, 1960 Imperial, and 1965 Marlin)

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  10. Avatar karld

    Pre-war cars, which are not exceptional in some way, are dropping in price for all the above reasons…and many post-war cars, too. The Stude club is shrinking and I’m a younger member at age 50-something. I also talked to the Prez of the NorCal Model A club about how to “catch” the next generation. You’ll never get as many afficionados after the people that remember them new get too old to drive…

    (Is that car right-hand drive?)

    Like 0

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