Keeneland Antiques

The Keeneland Concours d'Elegance has rapidly turned into a premiere destination of car owners and enthusiasts. Both owners and guests are treated as if they were royalty. Now in only its 11th year, Keeneland continues to grow and raise money for the Kentucky Children's Hospital.

Antiques are traditionally the oldest cars on display and Keeneland brought in some magnificent examples from this era, including the 1907 Franklin shown at the top of this article. Very expensive for its time at $1850, it had a four cylinder 1.8 liter engine that produced 12 horse power. Next on hand was this 1906 Auto Car Type 10 Runabout that had a two cylinder engine that produced 11 horsepower. Interestingly, the car had wooden brake shoes.

Also braving the weather was a 1911 Maxwell 1911 AB that sported a 14 horse power two cylinder opposed engine. Costing $600 new the Maxwell motto was "Perfectly simple, simply perfect."

This 1923 Duesenberg Model A was the first car manufactured with hydraulic brakes. The basic chassis cost $6500. With the Sport Phaeton coachwork seen here the car cost $9000, more than many houses of the day.

Indianapolis based Stutz built cars to race and this 1912 A Series Bearcat is a perfect example of sports roadster of its day. With a four cylinder engine generating 50 horse power, the example seen here originally cost about $2000 and is number one of one made.

When a car is one of only six examples ever built and is considered the oldest sports car in America it's little wonder it is sought out by shows around the country. This 1907 American Underslung Roadster had a 476.3 cubic inch four cylinder L-Head engine. It's original cost was $3750.

A barn find, this 1913 Renault Type DM Touring was purchased by current owner Jerry Huffman in 2004 and underwent an extensive off-frame restoration. Jerry told me that even though there was a lot of wood, including in its frame and its wheels, there was absolutely no rot when he bought it. The cowl lights were fueled with alcohol rather then lamp oil.