Description
The Paige-Detroit Motor Car Company built cars under the Paige brand name between 1909 and 1927 to the highest technical and production standards of the time. The Paige-Detroit Motor Company also manufactured Paige trucks from 1918 to 1923 and small six-cylinder automobiles under the Jewett name from 1922 to 1926. The factory later continued under the name Graham-Paige.
This Paige was produced at the end of 1923, was first registered on February 28, 2024 and is special for several reasons. This is the largest model that Paige could supply: the 6-70 Sedan. It also had a serious engine: a large 5. 4 liter six-cylinder. This engine provides a lot of torque due to its capacity and a generous engine power of 70 hp for that time. This means that the Paige, unlike many other cars that are 100 years old, can still easily keep up with current traffic on provincial roads, for example.
In addition, this undeniably charismatic seven-passenger Paige-Detroit truly exudes authenticity. Engine, bodywork and chassis are matching and the Paige has never been restored despite its 100-year age. The bodywork is still largely in its original paint. In places it has been touched up, but with the utmost care, in order to retain the authentic appearance. Also note the interior, the headliner, the wood of the floorboards, the carpet and not to forget the 'leatherette' on the roof and on the running boards.
The original brochure shows that the Sedan is equipped as standard with a fuel gauge, clock, front cigar lighter, sun visor, heater and exit lighting above the running board on the right rear. These are all present with this Paige. The interior also features a smoker set in the back for the men and a ‘vanity kit’ for the ladies. The same brochure also mentions the De Luxe option package that was available for the 6-70. This car is equipped with it as the icing on the cake: double bumpers front and back, a nickel-plated radiator with a Motometer brand temperature gauge, two spare wheels with covers left and right front, a luggage rack on the back, automatic windscreen wipers and a brake and tail light.
The best is yet to come: this Paige is also equipped with a (still working) switchable compressor to pump up tires in case of a “puncture”. The compressor is driven by the gearbox. A serious car, which is only right because at the time it cost 8, 400 guilders at the importer, the Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Automobiel Mij in Rotterdam, reachable via telephone number 12916. Without options…
In October 2008, a Dutchman bought the car in the US from the owner who had owned the car since 1968. The Paige was registered in the Netherlands on 11 May 2011. Various maintenance work was carried out on the car between 2008 and 2011. For example, the car was given new tyres and the steel rims of the wheels were repainted in the original colour. The original (!) wooden centres of the wheels were treated with linseed oil to preserve the originality. For the same reason, all the nickel work was also redone in England by the company Genius of the Lamp, an expensive exercise. When the car arrived from the US in the Netherlands, the exhaust had to be replaced, which is why it was imitated exactly. The petrol tank was ultrasonically cleaned and given a new coating. The dynamo was given a new bronze back plate, the old one was so bad that it could no longer be repaired. The radiator was dismantled and cleaned. The crankcase was dismantled and fitted with a new gasket. The crankcase was spotless, the bronze oil pump was as good as new. Furthermore, the car was fitted with ‘period-correct’ indicators and the engine was given a major overhaul with new hoses, spark plugs, belt and battery. The original wiper motor turned out to be defective, it was repaired and refitted to the car.
When the car was purchased in the US, there was no suitcase present. The Dutch owner discovered an original suitcase in the US, which is now on the car.
The car has recently had a minor service.
We love collectibles like this Paige Detroit: original cars in very good condition that are ready to drive. Cars that still show their top class a hundred years after production! The words unique, special and rare are often used in car advertisements. We believe that they really apply here…
