Engine - 597.2 cubic inch 4-Cylinder T-Head
Transmission - Four-speed transaxle mounted to Dual-Chain driven rear differential
Horsepower - 50 ALAM Rated
Production - 200 Simplexes produced in 1912, one of one coachwork

In the world of car collecting few automobile marques have garnered the prestige and respect of the Simplex Automobile Company. Formed in 1907, the Simplex Automobile Company of New York City took over production of the S&M Simplex, a luxury brass era automobile inspired by the Mercedes Simplex which Smith & Mabley Inc. imported prior to producing their own version in 1903. Under this new organization, the company went on to produce four different four-cylinder T-Head models, the 38HP, 50HP, 75HP and 90HP. The 50HP chassis proved to be the most popular among buyers.

Few antique automobiles can lay claim to having been regarded as special since day one of its life, but this particular 1912 Simplex surely can. This 50 HP Simplex Chassis sports custom coachwork by JM Quinby & Company, a New Jersey based firm that did many bodies for Simplex of New York. This Torpedo Tourer body is a one-off configuration and is still mated with its original chassis and drivetrain from 1912.

This 1912 Simplex 50 HP Torpedo Tourer was ordered in 1911 by none other than Harold "Mike" Sterling Vanderbilt, the Nephew of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Harold was the son of William Kissam Vanderbilt, and in 1920, would become a principal of the immensely successful New York Central Railroad after his father's death. As a boy, Vanderbilt spent his summers in Newport Rhode Island at various family mansions, and would go on to have an accomplished career in sailing, even defending the America's Cup in 1930. He would take delivery of the car at the age of 28, but Harold's history with the Simplex would be fleeting. The next owner of the Torpedo Tourer was Eleonora "Eleo" Sears, who would go on to become so strongly associated with the auto.

In the time between 1911 and 1914 numerous newspapers would report that Eleonora and Harold were set to be engaged. Those who know of Sears' background can see the natural appeal of the two being wed, a match made in heaven in the world of New England socialite circles. Eleonora Sears was the daughter of Boston Businessman Frederick Richard Sears. Eleo was a heavily accomplished and recognized athlete of the era. In 1911 she won the women's doubles at the US Women's National Tennis Championships. She was inducted into the National Tennis Hall of Fame in 1968, recognizing her many achievements in the sport.

Harold and Eleo were close friends and would never confirm nor deny the rumored engagements. Eleo would be seen driving the Simplex in both Boston and Newport, both with and without Vanderbilt by her side. One can assume the Simplex was a lavish gift at the time. Although never wed, the two would remain friends for decades.

Eleo retained ownership of the Simplex until 1939 and even drove the car to the inaugural VMCCA Meet at Raceland in Framingham Massachusetts. Shortly after the 1939 meet, she sold the car to a pioneering brass era enthusiast and restorer, Sam Eliott. In the 1940s the Simplex would find its way to the head of Buick and General Motors chief engineer Charles Chayne, yet another notable name to become long associated with the "Sears Simplex". During Chaynes ownership the 50HP would receive an in-house restoration at General Motors. This is where the Simplex received its upgraded steering box, improved brakes, and a 1940s Bendix aircraft starter, still affixed to the car to this day. These tasteful upgrades have undoubtedly become part of the car's unmatched history.

After Chayne's collection was dispersed, the Simplex would find its next home at the Brookline Massachusetts Museum of Transportation, now the Larz Anderson Auto Museum. Eventually the Torpedo Tourer was sold to the Collings Foundation and then Charles LeMaitre. LeMaitre would use the car regularly and had the car fully restored starting in the mid 2000s. So few automobiles from this era ever achieve this level of provenance and purity from new. It is truly a testament of time, and the care from its noteworthy list of prior owners, that this 1912 Simplex 50 HP Torpedo Tourer is still with us today, ready to continue blazing its journey in history.