$220,000 1911 Stevens-Duryea Model AA Touring Car

A rare 1911 Stevens-Duryea Model AA Tourer leaving Clearman's restaurants during the 2021 Holiday Motor Excursion presented by the Horseless Carriage Club (HCCA) of Southern California. This car, chassis no. 22909, was previously owned by William F. Harrah and underwent a frame-up restoration in 2009 during which it was refinished in its original English Purple Lake color. It was displayed at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it received First in Class and the Ansel Adams Award. The car was sold for $220,000 at the Gooding & Company Geared Online auction in May 2021.

Meet someone named Mercedes, and you're likely to think of Mercedes-Benz. But meet someone named Steven, and you'd be a real nerd to think of Stevens-Duryea. I had never heard of the company until I saw the emblem on this car. But that's one of the most fascinating things to me about the world of brass era cars; at nearly every HCCA event I attend, I'll stumble upon at least one car representing a brand I've either never encountered before or never even knew existed. And just look at how beautiful this car is! Something about rich dark hues combined with shiny brass elements just makes my heart melt. The owner appeared to have some trouble getting it started (and if I'm not mistaken, the same thing happened at an earlier stage of the event). But hey, part of loving a century-old car is accepting the fact that it can sometimes be a bit, um, cranky!

Would you go out for lunch in this car knowing it may have trouble starting up? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!