1911 Penn Model 30 RF Roadster
The short lived Penn Motor Company was established in 1910 and ended after the company built a $90,000 factory in New Castle, Pennsylvania in the northwest corner of the state. When investors backed out after completion of the facility, Penn had no other option but to file for bankruptcy in 1912.
For consignment, a 1911 Penn Model 30 RF roadster showing 39,171 miles, but the true miles are unknown. It's likely very few were produced by Penn and by some accounts, only two are known to exist. This functional example is one of them. This car is an AACA Senior and Grand National award winner.
Exterior
Off white is the color here, a white with gray undertones and when matched with brass hardware, green underpinnings, and a tan canvas top, it makes for a handsome presentation. The 34-inch wooden spoke wheels carry the color with white wall tires and each falls under a gull wing like configuration of sweeping fenders which conclude in the center where a brass trimmed step plate offers access to the small door. Green pinstriping decorates every off white part of the car including the wheels and conspicuously missing from the right rear fender. Meanwhile, brass is everywhere from the straps that hold the gas tank, the acetylene tank, the cowl lights, horn, light rings, windscreen frame, and radiator surround. Imperfections include various chipping paint, cracking paint, intrusions on the wood shellac, brass tarnish, and blistering on a door.
Interior
Green is the interior palette beginning with the leather clad door panels adorned with brass hardware. This roadster features adjoining buckets seats with button tufted green leather backs in what has to be an early sports car configuration. Rich wood and brass componentry make up the dashboard and a brass trimmed green floor follows, taking in the brass steering column for the wood steering wheel. A Stewart and Clark speedometer is within view of the driver while various pedals protrude from the floor, some brass, some green painted steel. The only chrome present is on the hand brake and shift levers, while the frame for the retractable soft top is body colored.
Drivetrain
Here we have the 226.2ci inline four cylinder, rated at 30 horsepower and fueled by a 1-barrel carburetor. It's is mated to a 3 speed manual transmission that routes power to 3.75 gears in the rear axle. The car runs on a 6 volt system.
Undercarriage
Green and clean is the name of the game here where we find mechanical drum brakes on the rear wheels and a stock style muffler that sends a short tailpipe that terminates under the car. Leaf spring suspension is employed front and rear.
Drive-ability
It takes a few adjustments but the Model 30 starts and runs with impressive eagerness. We run a quick loop around the test loop and find everything on the car operating as it should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Here's a rare opportunity to purchase one of the few remaining Penn automobiles in existence. This, and the others, are known in the AACA community and have been the subject of forum discussions over the years. If you have a museum, collection, or simply the desire or goal to own one of America's earliest and now rarest cars, this RF Roadster would be a fine candidate.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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