1909 Holsman Highwheeler Model 9K | Donington Auctions | 17 Oktober 2026

American horseless carriage 

• Exceedingly rare 
• Older restoration 
• Used in rallies 

MODEL HISTORY: 

Founded in 1902, the Holsman Automobile Company of Chicago was rather rashly claimed by architect founder Henry K Holsman to be the "oldest, largest and most practical manufacturers of carriage automobiles in the world". 

While somewhat presumptuous, Holsman did, however, inspire a flood of “Highwheeler” style motor buggies which began in the USA some five years later, and saw around 75 companies producing them, though Holsman remained the best known. 

The Holsman's design did not vary greatly over the years, and it remained a simple buggy-style vehicle, featuring lightweight and high buggy wheels, driven by a two cylinder air-cooled engine with final drive by a small pulley wheel which engaged the rear wheel directly.  

Although the market for Highwheelers developed slowly at first, the Holsman was successful from the outset and the car even scored first and second places at an Algonquin, Illinois, hillclimb – which provided a good selling point for years afterwards. 

By the time of the Highwheelers' surge to popularity in 1907, the Holsman was a tried and true product, with engines featuring high tension ignition with dry cells, automatic inlet valves, forced feed lubrication, and plain bearings.    

There were improvements to the engine over the period of production (from 1902 to 1909), which raised horsepower to 12.8 in 1909 and to 26hp for the company's four cylinder commercial vehicle.  

Body styles available included closed coupe, surrey versions, and runabouts. 

Holsman’s manufacturing was unusual because, at that time in the USA, cars were not run in winter as roads were impassable, so cars were produced during winter and delivered in spring and summer.  

Because of this, funds had to be borrowed, and while the company was still selling cars successfully, its loan with the Stockyard Bank became due and there were insufficient funds from sales to pay, and thus it went into bankruptcy. 

The exact number of Holsmans produced is not known, however Henry Holsman himself said in later years that production was approximately 1000 cars per year. That’s corroborated by sales brochures produced in 1908, which reported sales of nearly 900 cars in 1907. 

VEHICLE HISTORY: 

• Engine number: K3320 
• Registration number: 1ACG-407 

As you’d expect from a vehicle now 117 years old, the early history of this 1909 Holsman Highwheeler Model 9K is not known. 

Fitted with a piano-box style carriage body finished in Black with bright Yellow wheels and solid tyres, this Holsman Highwheeler has a two-seater leather-trimmed bench and buggy-style Victoria Top.  

Power comes from a two-cylinder 12.8hp engine which operates on a sliding rail arrangement, together with a two-speed rope-activated transmission, and tiller-type steering. 

In 1981 George A Roberts OAM (Dover Heights, Sydney) assisted with the dating of this car for the Veteran Car Club of Australia, and in 2007 explained that Ben Bronk purchased the car in 1967, from a local enthusiast who rescued it near a swamp in Boondall, Queensland.  

Ben Bronk was a founder of the Vintage Vehicle Club of Australia, and one of the pioneers of the old car restoration movement in Australia.  

Mr. Bronk was also proprietor of the Watson's Bay Motor Museum in Sydney, and he restored this Holsman and placed it on display at his museum.  

Subsequently, Mr. Bronk sold the Holsman Highwheeler to George Green for display at Green’s Motorcade Museum at Leppington, on Sydney’s outskirts.  

When Mr. Green passed away in 1982, FR Strange Pty Ltd auctioned his collection and the Holsman was purchased by Peter Briggs and placed on display at the York Motor Museum.  

Mr. Briggs also used the car on several high wheeler rallies in Australia.  

Being an older restoration, today there are some small marks evident on the bodywork and wheels, and general patina to fittings such as the folding roof mechanism and lamps. 

Currently, second gear in the now belt driven two-speed transmission is not working, however the parts removed are held within the front storage box, however we confirm their completeness. Please refer to photographs. 

Also, the rear right-hand side end of the sliding motor rail has come adrift, and will need re-welding. 

Accompanying the 1909 Holsman Highwheeler is Certificate of Dating from the Veteran Car Club of Australia. 

This 1909 Holsman Highwheeler Model 9K is being offered for sale here unregistered.