Hattie in her Standardized Cole (UPDATE: Cole Club)

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Last Monday we asked you about Jess Willard, the boxing champion and his wife Hattie. Their Fiat didn’t last long as his Hattie had an unfortunate encounter with the sheriff’s car in Lawrence, Texas. Maybe the Fiat was a write-off as it was replaced with a Cole-8 in which we see Hattie here striking a pose. The Cole was a totally assembled car because the company believed that specialist makers could produce better parts than automobile manufacturers could. Hence it carried the name: “The Standardized Car”. From 1915 on it had a V8, built by GM’s Northway Division and which according to this Dutch advert must have been one of the most fuel-economy V8’s ever (14 miles per US gallon). But don’t believe everything the ads say! Cole production started in 1909 which means the make celebrates its 100th birthday this year. We haven’t heard of a centennial party, but you never know what will turn up at the greens of Amelia Island Concours (photos courtesy J. W. Mace)

Update II: Kit Foster has been in contact with Leroy Cole, founder and king of the Cole Motor Car Club of America who said: “Indeed there is a Cole centenary. We have meets all across America for the year. Take a Cole to any car show, & that is a Cole Meet.”
Update I by Hugh Nutting: “There is an American Cole Car Club with a website. It has a 2003 club bulletin posted with many interesting facts.”

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