Dublin Core
Title
Harold Irwin's 1910 Great Smith car, 1973, Rossville, Kansas
Subject
Transportation
Description
Great Smith Comes Home
At last, the day had arrived! The beautiful bright red and black 1910 Great Smith which Harold Irwin, Rossville, purchased in Dallas was transported to Rossville by a specially-built van constructed to handle antique cars. Mr. Irwin, the proud owner of this masterpiece, indicates it is the only one of its kind outside a museum.
The auto, built in Topeka at the former Smith Bros. auto factory, is in excellent condition. Irwin bought it from H.A. "Barney" Hackney. A Topeka historian, John Ripley, indicated the car is just one of two Great Smiths in existence. The other Great Smith, a 1908 model touring car, is on display in the Kansas State Historical Society Museum in Topeka. Irwin owns three other antique cars: a 1937 Chrysler Airflow, a 1930 Dodge and a 1934 Airflow custom-built sedan; and belongs to three antique car clubs.
Hackney's father, the late George W. Hackney, purchased the car new in 1910. He was an executive in a Topeka milling operation. In 1933, much of the body was destroyed in a hurricane. It has since been restored to its original specifications, a project which took ten years.
Originally the car was a touring car but it was restored as a roadster. After the hurricane, the major parts of the car were stored. The finished product contains all the original mechanical parts, although Hackney had to fabricate some of the sheet metal himself and contract a company to build new front fenders. The engine, wood frame, rear fenders, transmission, radiator, carbide lamps and front axle and springs are all the original parts, according to Irwin. The original owner's manual and parts books is with the car.
Irwin had read an advertisement about the car being for sale. His interest in the Great Smith began when he helped move the historical museum's auto out of storage in 1947. He plans to take his "new" car to antique auto shows and rallies.
An interesting tread on the tires is formed by the words "non skid" being placed at an angle around the tire. The raised letters of the words form the tread. A battery starter was added in 1912 when the car was returned to the factory for modification.
The dream of a lifetime has come true for Harold Irwin now that he has purchased the Great Smith.
[Caption: Great Smith. Smiling proudly in the driver's seat is Harold Irwin, Rossville, owner of this 1910 Great Smith. Seen in the front seat with Mr. irwin is Rossville's mayor, Bill Smith. LaVerne Spears, State Representative of the 51st District, and also a resident of Rossville, is in the back seat.]
At last, the day had arrived! The beautiful bright red and black 1910 Great Smith which Harold Irwin, Rossville, purchased in Dallas was transported to Rossville by a specially-built van constructed to handle antique cars. Mr. Irwin, the proud owner of this masterpiece, indicates it is the only one of its kind outside a museum.
The auto, built in Topeka at the former Smith Bros. auto factory, is in excellent condition. Irwin bought it from H.A. "Barney" Hackney. A Topeka historian, John Ripley, indicated the car is just one of two Great Smiths in existence. The other Great Smith, a 1908 model touring car, is on display in the Kansas State Historical Society Museum in Topeka. Irwin owns three other antique cars: a 1937 Chrysler Airflow, a 1930 Dodge and a 1934 Airflow custom-built sedan; and belongs to three antique car clubs.
Hackney's father, the late George W. Hackney, purchased the car new in 1910. He was an executive in a Topeka milling operation. In 1933, much of the body was destroyed in a hurricane. It has since been restored to its original specifications, a project which took ten years.
Originally the car was a touring car but it was restored as a roadster. After the hurricane, the major parts of the car were stored. The finished product contains all the original mechanical parts, although Hackney had to fabricate some of the sheet metal himself and contract a company to build new front fenders. The engine, wood frame, rear fenders, transmission, radiator, carbide lamps and front axle and springs are all the original parts, according to Irwin. The original owner's manual and parts books is with the car.
Irwin had read an advertisement about the car being for sale. His interest in the Great Smith began when he helped move the historical museum's auto out of storage in 1947. He plans to take his "new" car to antique auto shows and rallies.
An interesting tread on the tires is formed by the words "non skid" being placed at an angle around the tire. The raised letters of the words form the tread. A battery starter was added in 1912 when the car was returned to the factory for modification.
The dream of a lifetime has come true for Harold Irwin now that he has purchased the Great Smith.
[Caption: Great Smith. Smiling proudly in the driver's seat is Harold Irwin, Rossville, owner of this 1910 Great Smith. Seen in the front seat with Mr. irwin is Rossville's mayor, Bill Smith. LaVerne Spears, State Representative of the 51st District, and also a resident of Rossville, is in the back seat.]
Creator
St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas
Publisher
Rossville Community Library, Rossville, Kansas
used with permission
used with permission
Date
February 1973
Rights
All rights reserved
Format
newspaper
Identifier
RCL0425
Item Relations
This item has no relations.