 |
|
| Home | Features | Records | Online Store | Media | Careers | Contact Us |
Back to August 2011 Motorsports News Archive
| 10-08-2011 at 07:00: A Piece of Australian Motoring History Up For Sale | |
|
In his time as a vehicle maker, Innes built one and possibly two single-cylinder cars (including Simmons’ vehicle) then constructed a four-cylinder model. All were bought by H.R Arnott, who entered this particular vehicle in the 1905 Dunlop Trial, one of the first reliability trials held anywhere in the world. Another piece of motoring history states that Arnott was also one of Australia’s first motorists to be booked for speeding, being fined 10 shillings for travelling down a Sydney street at 13km/h, reportedly in this Innes. Then, this iconic car just disappeared. After years of obscurity, the Innes was found in 1955 in a paddock by a gentleman called George Robertson, a member of the Veteran Car Club. When Robertson found it, some parts had been taken from the car, but basically the ‘bones’ of the original were all there. Simmons bought the car from Robertson in 1985 and began a 20-year ‘labour of love’ to rebuild this piece of motoring history. Simmons spent years sourcing original parts from all around the world to restore the car to its original glory. Simmons searched the world to find Lacoste parts that could be used in the Innes and then used a De Dion engine that he already had. Simmons then set about personally making the other parts in his own workshop – including external contracting, transmission brakes, linkages and rear wheel brakes in his home workshop. The Innes made its first public appearance on Australia Day last year. “We finished the rebuild in late 2009 and it made its first public appearance at Sydney’s 2010 NRMA Motorfest,” Simmons said. At 9HP, the Innes cruises at 30mph (48km/h) and it does about 20 miles per gallon (14 litres per 100 kilometres). This piece of motoring history is listed for sale exclusively on www.justcars.com.au for $70,000. Simmons said, “I want to buy a steam car and have regrettably been told that I have to sell one of my cars before I am allowed to buy another.” |
One of only two of its kind in the world, a motorcar built by Australian George Innes in 1904 is up for sale. And the history doesn’t stop there, before the Innes belonged to current owner Geoff Simmons, it was part of the personal collection of H.R Arnott – Australia’s biscuit king.^ Back to top ^
|
Login
 Forgot my password! |
|
Copyright All Vic Pty. Ltd. 2007-2024 |
Terms of Use | Home | Features | Records | Online Store | Media | Careers | Contact Us |