1913 Mitchell Model 5-4 40HP TouringChassis no. 30658

1913 Mitchell Model 5-4 40HP Touring Chassis no. 30658
397ci T-head Inline 4-Cylinder EngineSingle Updraft Carburetor40 Horsepower3-Speed Selective Sliding Gear TransmissionLeaf Spring SuspensionRear Mechanical Drum Brakes*High-horsepower Mitchell with elegant 5-Passenger Touring bodywork*Rare and Important early American motorcar *Eligible for a variety of Horseless Carriage Club touring events*Preserved in the Hansen Collection for decadesTHE MITCHELL MOTOR CAR COThe Racine, Wisconsin-based manufacturer Mitchell developed a reputation for high quality, mid-priced cars. Initially known as the Wisconsin Wheel Works - a bicycle manufacturer - the Mitchell cars were good looking and often incorporated innovative features. First, a 1¾ horsepower motorcycle appeared in 1901, then a number of experimental automobiles followed with production beginning in 1903. With its new product, the company's name was changed to the Mitchell Motor Car Company in 1904, and its first cars were two-cylinder, chain-drive runabouts. They were an early adopter of sliding gear transmissions introducing them in all models in 1904. After experimenting with air-cooling and two-stroke engine designs, the Mitchell Motor Car Company went with an all four-cylinder, shaft-drive, water-cooled car line up in 1907. The innovative four-cylinder engines had cast-in-pair cylinders with an unusual F-head type valve arrangement with overhead exhaust valves opposite the side valve intake.THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDThis handsome 1913 Mitchell Model 5-4 features the 30 horsepower four-cylinder engine and the elegant five-passenger Tourer bodywork, as was offered alongside the 2-passenger Roadster bodywork that year. Offered from the Salinas-California based Hansen Collection where the Mitchell has resided for decades, the car displays a nicely detailed older restoration, with the Tourer bodywork finished in Royal Blue with black fenders and hood and early contrasting pinstriping. The Mitchell has a correct 'two-man' black top and nice deep tufted black upholstery, and a rear mounted spare wheel. With an impressive 30 horsepower on tap, these Mitchells are good performing touring cars ideal for the many Horseless Carriage Club tours organized around the country.