• Year of manufacture 
    1936
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    r0146
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United States
  • Exterior colour 
    Red

Description

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Elkhart Collection event, 23 - 24 October 2020.

  • An icon of mid-century American vacations
  • Designed by the legendary Alexis de Sakhnoffsky
  • Restored in period-correct Glacier National Park “Reds” livery
  • Correct 318 cu. in. 16A flathead six-cylinder engine
  • The ideal party wagon, with room for 17 and a sunroof!

The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio, manufactured over 500 examples of their Model 706 between 1936 and 1939 for use at America’s national parks. These mighty beasts featured roll-back canvas convertible tops over their 17-passenger interiors, accessed by no fewer than eight doors, and were handsomely styled by the noted industrial designer Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky for coachbuilders Bender of Cleveland. Some examples remain in service at various parks to this day, while others have been restored to evoke wonderful memories of family vacations long ago.

Glacier National Park’s fleet of 18 White buses, acquired at a cost of $90,000, was popularly known as the “Reds” and the drivers as “red jammers” because of the sound the unsynchronized gears of the transmission made when the driver shifted on the steep roads of the park. They were regularly used to give tours up Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of several scenic roads built at the park by the Great Northern Railroad. Today several of these buses remain in service at Glacier National Park and are still giving rides.

The Model 706 offered here is still running an original 318-cubic-inch 16A flathead six-cylinder gasoline engine and has been authentically restored in Glacier “Reds” livery with red-and-black steel wheels and comfortable tan leather bench seating within under the roll-back black canvas top. There is also a surprisingly sizable rear cargo area tucked behind the final row of seating. Inspection shows the paintwork, interior, and top fabric to all be very well restored and still in excellent overall condition, while the undercarriage shows only light wear from occasional use.

Few vehicles offer more opportunity for fun—with 16 of your friends and family, no less!To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/el20.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070