1914 Simplex 50HP “Speedcar”
Few American automobiles of the early twentieth century were designed as deliberately for high-speed travel as the Simplex 50HP.
Built by the Simplex Automobile Company (successor to the Mercedes-importing firm of Smith & Mabley), the 50HP stood among the most potent production cars available in the United States, and the open Speedcar body configuration reflects that intent clearly: a deep torpedo cowl, paired curved bucket seats, and minimal bodywork give the car a purposeful, stripped-down profile with exposed mechanical hardware at every angle.
Under that long hood sits a 597 ci T-head four-cylinder (one of the largest production fours of the period), featuring internal timing gears and pressurized lubrication, and capable of reaching around 75 mph under favorable conditions.
Power reaches the rear wheels via a four-speed manual and dual-chain final drive, a configuration Simplex retained longer than any other major American manufacturer, discontinuing it only in 1915.
For 1914, Simplex introduced a revised long-stroke version of the 50HP engine, altering the stroke dimensions while preserving the model’s formidable performance character. The massive four remained the centerpiece of the car’s reputation for effortless high-speed touring.
Roughly 250 examples of the 50HP were built across its production run, and surviving cars are represented in prominent collections including the REVS Institute and the Smithsonian Institution.
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