Mystery Foto #40 Solved: An 1888 De Dion, 1902 Gardner-Serpollet, 1904 Mercedes and 1908 American Underslung from the D. Cameron Peck Collection
The Helck Family Collection challenged you to solve these four Mystery Autos.
Photos of these four automobiles from the D. Cameron Peck Collection were given to Peter Helck and were discovered by Greg O. in the Helck archives.
D. Cameron Peck (1912-1990) was considered one of the most influential pioneers of vintage car collectors after World War II.
Answers to the Mystery Foto questions:
Identify :
- The year, manufacturer and model of each automobile:
- Automobile A. 1888 De Dion- World's first production steam car
- Automobile B. 1902 Gardner-Serpollet Carrosserie Kellner et ses Fils
- Automobile C. 1904 Mercedes Model 18-28 Make and Break Ignition
- Automobile D. 1908 American 50 H.P. Underslung
Link two of the manufacturers to the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
Mercedes participated in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race and American raced in the 1901 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
Comments (2)
Congrats to Hugh Nutting and Dick Gorman for solving at least one of the Mystery Autos.
Kudos to Dick Gorman for correctly identifying three of four Mystery Autos.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Automobile A. 1888 De Dion
Automobile B. 1902 Gardner-Serpollet
Automobile C. 1904 Mercedes
Automobile D. 1908 American
Comments
Well, I think I have 2 out of 4 but that’s it. (A) is a DeDion-Bouton steam tricycle circa 1885; (D) is a 1908 American underslung 50 HP Roadster. Looking forward to the answers.
This is the Cameron Peck 1908 American Underslung that was in the Cunningham Museum at one time. That is where your Fot 40 was taken.
Mystery Foto # 40…
Automobile A is an 1884 DeDion steamer.
It sold at auction for 4.6 million in 2011.
Automobile B is a 1902 Gardner Serpollet Model F,
Victoria body by Kellner. Steam power.
Automobile C may be an OPEL. Can’t be sure.
Automobile D is a 1909 American Underslung, Model 50 roadster.
An Underslung raced in 1910 Vanderbilt cup and placed 26th.
Hugh Nutting:
Hi Howard, I contacted a friend at the Collier Collection. This car was not in the Cunningham Collection they bought. Likely Briggs sold it when he got a 1911. Hugh
Recent ownership of the Peck American. Sam Mann sold it at Monterey in 2016. Godding has it listed again. John Wallerick owned it for over 30 years and might have loaned to Briggs Cunningham to display in his museum.
Howard, The 1988 De Dion was a grub hub prototype focusing on coffee and pizza; The idea was to make coffee on the run, note the cylindrical container top front. The pizza oven was below the coffee maker and and when the pizza was cooked, it was stored in the compartment below the driver. The second version bent the exhaust pipe under the rear compartment helping to keep the pizza super hot.
Excellent coverage Howard. Amazing details by all. How that steam auto was capable of multiple functions is beyond me! These designers were on their game, so early in the game.