Harrah's oily-rag Darracq set to join Genevieve & Co.

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Genevieve may be the most famous Darracq on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but she's far from the only one and one of the most interesting Darracqs to run alongside her this year is the 1902 9hp two-seater belonging to Canada's Dean Baker. Unusually for a French veteran, it seems likely that it was sold new in America and spent the first 120 years of its life there, possibly without leaving California. The American Darracq Automobile Company imported Darracqs into the States, and their 28x3in wheels, which this car has, were different from those fitted to their European sisters.

No details of its early life are known, but the Darracq's ownership history can be traced back to a Mr. Claberg of Oxnard, California, who was known as a collector of early cars by the early 1940s. His collection must have been held in some esteem by his generation of enthusiasts. At any rate, the Darracq caught the eye of no less a collector than Bill Harrah when it was offered for sale in 1956 by Claberg's daughter, Stella. At some point, Harrah hoped to fully restore the car, but he never got round to doing that and it sold again in 1986, when the enormous collection was being gradually broken up following Harrah's death in 1978.

Mr. Brunick of Palm Springs, another collector, bought it from the sale and kept it until 2022, when he placed it into the auction at which Dean Baker acquired it. Having been used solely as a display piece for 65 years or more, it was in a remarkable state of preservation but needed a mechanical overhaul. The paint does not appear to be the original, although it is clearly historic, and it is thought that it would have originally carried a rear tonneau section which was lost or disposed of at some point.

Sensitively overhauled

Says Dean, "It did not take much to get the engine running but it was smoking and in need of closer inspection. The wheels had also suffered from the dry desert conditions and, despite trying to hydrate them, they remained too loose for safe use. Despite early efforts to get the car ready for the 2022 London to Brighton, we had to abort once we realized the work necessary to recommission the old auto. The work was completed by Evan Ide at Historic Vehicle Services in in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. With new piston rings, a rebuilt period correct carburetor, rebuilt wheels and a bit of elbow grease, the Darracq was ready for its first outing in April, 2023, at the Audrain Veteran Car Tour in Newport, Rhode Island. This was a great opportunity to get some miles on the car and work out some more bugs in preparation for the 2023 London to Brighton Run. We recently fitted the correct battery-ignition system made from original drawings back to the engine and its running quite smoothly. With its big 9hp single and three speed transmission, it's quite a good performer."

For the most part, it sounds like this Darracq has led quite a charmed life. Messrs. Claberg, Harrah and Brunick all deserved credit for preserving it up to the present day, but particular credit is due to Dean for putting it back on the road again. It's always exciting when a car joins the Brighton Run for the first time, so be sure to keep an eye open for this remarkable survivor.

If you would like to see the Darracq in person, along with 400 other marvellous veterans, find yourself a spot at the roadside and watch the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday, 5th November. The cars will set off from Hyde Park between 7.00 and 8.45 a.m. and will start flowing into Madeira Drive from 10.00 a.m. onwards.

Words: Zack Stiling
 

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