Built in Indianapolis from 1903 until 1926, the Premier was among the finest early automobiles produced in the Hoosier State.

The company is best-remembered today for introducing a number of technical advancements on its large upper-priced cars, which achieved perfect scores in three of the rigorous Glidden Tours.

They even attempted to enter the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup, running an air-cooled prototype, though it was disqualified for being overweight.

The Dunning Collection’s 1910 Premier is the Model 4-40 Clubman, a close-coupled “sport touring” of sorts, with a detachable rear tonneau.

When Mr.

Dunning acquired the car at Hershey many years ago, it had been modified with a “mother-in-law” seat and gas tank in lieu of the tonneau—however, the original tonneau did survive with the car and was reinstalled by Eddie Cobb in the course of a painstaking restoration.

The color scheme was based upon period photos acquired by Mr.

Dunning, down to the accurate pinstriping and deep diamond-tu...