Quiz Archive

What is it? # 43

All answers that came in were right! Leach is the make. So it came down to the details. We asked Kit Foster to be the jury in this. He decided Roger Fields answer was best. Read Roger's report: "1922 Leach (Also called Leach-Biltwell) all-weather touring, variously known as the Model 999 with "Power Plus Six", and the Model 22A. It was constructed by the Leach Biltwell Motor Company, also known as theeach Motor Car Company, in the Maywood area of Los Angeles. Car dealer Martin Andrew Leach’s previous successful business customizing cars for the Hollywood crowd, prompted this venture. After two years of constructing "assembled" cars, Leach wanted a more prestigious car, with a powerful engine. He contacted Harry Miller of race car engine fame; in 1921, Leach Biltwell merged with the Miller Engine and Foundry Works, with the stated intention of producing "the only high-grade car built in the west". Miller designed a 6 cylinder single overhead cam 347.91 cu. in. (5.7 liter) 4 main bearing engine with a counter-balanced crankshaft, Delco ignition, and producing 107 BHP. The 1922 and 1923 cars used this new engine. Those cars had a 134" wheelbase, and were among the first to offer the "California Top", with sliding windows - the predecessor to the hardtop. The Leach radiator logo shows a grizzly bear (www.Trombinoscar.com ; thanks for the link Tom Chaney !), standing on a block containing the word LEACH. (The radiator shell looks suspiciously like it was taken from a 1922 Buick, and the fenders and step plates appear to have come from a Kissel!)" Congratulations Roger and thank you for your Leach lecture! (photo & info Kit Foster; click here to enlarge photo) Kit Foster's comment on Roger's answer: "The suggestions about the origins of Leach rad shell and step plates are interesting. It's logical that a small volume manufacturer, even a "prestige" one, would "outsource" these components. From the Buick illustrations I can find I think the shape of the Leach's shell is just a little different, but it may have been "borrowed" from another 1922 car. The step plates don't look exactly like Kissel's - I think they match up with Kenworthy, though, another low-volume, high-dollar manufacturer of that era. They both probably bought from the same aluminium foundry. Despite the fact that I disagree with both his source suggestions, I think contestant C4 deserves good marks for making the observation. This is the real essence of automotive history, in my opinion: understanding the "big picture" and then going in search of details. Too many marque fanciers, I think, go about it backwards."

EARLIER TEXT: One of those rare cars built in Los Angeles, California. A 1922 luxury car with a pricetag of $ 5,200 to $ 6,500. Engine designed by Harry Miller, the US guru of racing engines. So, with all this information it's a piece of cake for you veteran bunch. Or not? Surprise us! Send your answer before Monday 16 December 00.01 hrs to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please add # 43 in the subjectline of your email. As usual the best answer will win the infamous PreWarCar T-shirt.

Friday, 13 December 2002