Here at Hemmings, we’ve seen an awful lot of cars from even the most obscure make, so when one comes across our digital block that we’ve never heard of, we take notice. This 1923 Cardway Touring Car appears to be the last surviving example.
What exactly is a Cardway you ask? Think of the automotive business in the early 20th century as we think of the tech industry in the early 21st century: lots and lots of people with big ideas and big plans that do not always pan out. The historical record is littered with countless dreamers who attempted to start a car company in the era. Some of them you’ve probably heard of; others not so much.
A New Yorker, Colonel Frederick Cardway was a veteran of the automobile business, having worked in the export business for Packard and Pierce-Arrow. In later years, following the demise of his eponymous company, he served as an executive in charge of export for the Sanford Motor Truck Company of Syracuse, New York.
Cardway entered automobile production in 1923 with what is known as an “assembled” car, meaning the major components were purchased from others rather than developed or produced in house. Continental, for example, supplied the L-head straight-six under the hood. Other components included a Borg & Beck clutch, Spicer universal joints, Timken bearings, and a De Dion rear end. Cardway listed two models: a Standard Touring car and a Super Touring car, though there seems to be few differences known between the two models.
Overall, the Cardway appears to be standard fare for the era, though likely better equipped than the near-ubiquitous Ford Model T. The Cardway sits on a 118-inch wheelbase, with the rear seat in the five-passenger Touring model directly over the rear axle. The spoke wheels, running boards and nickel-plated radiator surround all appear standard-issue 1920s American automobile. Only the right-hand-drive configuration belies its origins.
Best estimates are that five or six Cardways were built in the company’s New York factory. One source indicates that all were right-hand drive, which is understandable given the Colonel’s experience in the export market. Another source indicates that just one car was so equipped as it was destined for Australia; the other five are believed to have included four for domestic distribution and one for export to South America. Presently, there are no known left-hand-drive Cardways. In fact, in recent decades, only this example, currently offered in Hemmings Auctions, is known.
An Australian newspaper clipping from Ballarat, Victoria from 1969 tells the story of a car dealer in Nhill, Victoria, ordering a Cardway in 1923 for a local customer. That owner remained the caretaker of the car for 40 years before another local purchased it. Sometime after, a nephew of Colonel Cardway was working for the Timken company. While visiting a Timken factory in Australia, the younger Cardway was alerted to the existence of the well-kept car bearing his name. He then made a deal and purchased the car, repatriating it to the United States. More recently, there have been two Canadian owners and today the car is offered as part of the settlement of the estate of the most recent owner.
This example of what is likely a unique car appears to be complete and may even sport some of its original paint. Given its nature as an assembled car, it is quite likely that many replacement components or even repair expertise are available to keep the unique car roadworthy.
If you have every wanted to attend a show with the only car like yours or if you’ve ever wanted every other car fan you meet ask you, “What is that?” then Hemmings Auctions has the car for you. Take a look at this 1923 Cardway Touring Car now and see for yourself a legitimately unique car.
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