1929 RUXTON PROTOTYPE MULLER FRONT DRIVE ROADSTER

Summary

The #2 Ruxton prototype built by Bill Muller. Badged as the Muller Front Drive and nicknamed the 'Alligator'. Meticulously restored to its 1930's form.

Details

This is the renowned #2 Ruxton prototype 114' wheelbase custom front wheel drive roadster (frame #1004) built by William Muller, designer of the Ruxton. Archie Andrews, the flamboyant owner of New Era Motors, commissioned Bill to build a sedan prototype of the Ruxton at the Board Machine Co. in Philadelphia in the Summer of 1929. Bill had a great racing history. While building the sedan, he went to the back room and also built 'a little sporty super-charged Ruxton roadster for fellows like myself who really enjoyed fast road cars'. Bill installed a Muller Front Drive badge on the radiator shell. It's still on the car today. Once it was completed, Bill drove the Muller Front Drive roadster throughout the US demonstrating his front wheel drive technology and preparing for Ruxton production. He even took it to Indy during the 1930 race week. After the Indy 500 race, some of the drivers reportedly turned 105mph timed laps in the super-charged Muller Front Drive. They had a tug of war on the infield with the Cord pace car and there it was nicknamed the 'Alligator'. By September of 1930, production of the Ruxton had stopped. Bill continued to drive the 'Alligator' as his personal car for the next few years. NOTE: Bill removed the super-charger after about a year and there is not one on the car today. Renowned collector D. Cameron Peck was first to purchase this car. Complete owner history, along with an astounding collection of notes, letters, articles, etc. will be provided with the sale of this car. This car was built in 1929, but is presently titled as a 1930. An impeccable, 2-year restoration of this car was completed by Coles Classics in late 2006. An attention to detail based upon thorough research has led to the transformation of the 'Alligator' back to original. It was shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours and judged extremely high. ENGINE: In the mid-30's, Muller replaced the original Continental 185 engine with a special Ford motor. Today it has the correct Continental #18S-6. This 268cid/100hp Straight 8 has been rebuilt. BODY: The sheet metal is original except for a small portion of the rear deck behind the seat that had been cut away and is now replaced. TOP: There's no top just as when Bill drove it for many years. INTERIOR: Has restored Ruxton gauge cluster per research conclusions. Connolly leather seats and panels. FRONT DRIVE SYSTEM: The transmission is an original Ruxton unit and shifts very easily. It and all front drive components have been rebuilt. CHASSIS: Original and fully restored. WHEELS: Chromed as when Grover Muller originally chromed them himself. Woodlights were on the car until they became illegal. There are only 17 Ruxtons in existence today and only one Muller front drive version. Its remarkable story and a wealth of documentation make this a truly once in a lifetime purchase of automobile history.