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Vintage Car Identification Help!

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  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702
    Ever see this film from 1906, a trip down Market Street shot 4 days before the great San Francisco earthquake? There's a chaotic mix of street cars, cable cars, motor cars, bicycles, horse drawn wagons, carts, and buggies. And pedestrians who really keep their heads on a swivel!

    This time capsule view of California over 100 years ago is like observing life on another planet. Not like now. Haha! It doesn't have to be election day for that joke to work but it doesn't hurt either. :D
    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Driving in SE Asia is still a lot like that!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    Yep I have seen that, it's an amazing document. I can't identify any of those!

    Imagine streets where you simply couldn't survive if you were oblivious...I can't imagine. I like to think if I was around then I would have been an early motorist.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The first recorded fatality in the US was a Mr. Bliss, run down by a NY city taxicab in 1899. The first recorded fatality in the world was in 1896 in England, when a woman was struck at the "tremendous speed", says the records, of some 6 mph or so.

    I'm very sure about the first entry, the second one is just something I read somewhere.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    I bet the problem then was not only being hit, but being run over - the speed wouldn't be enough to throw you clear, so the trackless locomotive would just roll right over a person.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    There was an attachment you could add to early cars---it was kind of a hinged cradle---as you hit someone, it was supposed to scoop them up and hold them !!
  • caligirl92103caligirl92103 Member Posts: 2
    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5170363775_ae814fc3ed_z.jpg

    Does anyone know what kind of car this is? Probably from the 1940s somewhere near Reno, NV.
  • caligirl92103caligirl92103 Member Posts: 2
    http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5170964762_bd05da48dc_z.jpg

    And also this car? In Los Angeles (corner of Budlong and Manchester) maybe in the 1930s or 1940s?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    edited November 2010
    1936 Hudson, second pic you posted looks like an early version of a custom car based on a mid 20s Model T coupe - the second pic was likely taken around 1925 based on the building and cars in the background.
  • lindonlindon Member Posts: 3
    Does any one know the make and year of this car? Is it a Hudson?

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29213393@N07/5287099228/
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    I'm going to say Packard 110/120 convertible, 1941
  • mysta13mysta13 Member Posts: 6
    Can anyone please identify the make of the car in this dealer's showroom painting? It dates from the 1920s I think...does anybody know more exactly? Be sure to click on thumbnail image to see complete car in larger format. Any assistance much, much appreciated. Thank you.

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2101267&id=1462885371&l=eb6faf0aff
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    I believe this to be a Lincoln or Cadillac from 1922-23, Here is a very similar car

    It is a coachbuilt car, it is likely one or the other of similar vintage with a body from the same maker. They look very similar from the side.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It could also be that the painting does not represent an actual car but rather a "type".

    Many closed cars from the early 20s, especially large ones, would be coachbuilt as so few companies offered enclosed automobiles back then, and if they did offer a closed car, it would be an expensive marque. Not until mid 20s on up did closed cars become more available in the middle-class market.

    They were expensive to build and they were heavy, requiring a healthy price tag and a powerful engine.
  • mysta13mysta13 Member Posts: 6
    Thank you, fintail...and for posting the very helpful Brunn Lincoln photo, too. Absolutely great to get information back so quickly!
  • mysta13mysta13 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for your interesting elaboration on fintail's reply to me. These responses suggest the possibility that the painting might have hung in a coachbuilder showroom or office rather than in an auto retailers place of business. I think the painting is too specifically illustrative and large (36"x48")to be just generic - though its possible, of course. I hadn't considered the coachbuilt angle at all before hearing from you and fintail. Thank you again for your interest and the information. This is a terrific and useful website page.
  • mysta13mysta13 Member Posts: 6
    This question may be outside the impressive expertise of the members of this forum, but does anyone know whether the pictured mascot represents a specific car marquee or is simply an after-market item? I have a hunch it the former...a picture of a 1931 Buick mascot I saw was a somewhat similiar winged-Mercury figure...Does anyone know for sure?...Or have an educated guess? Thank you.

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31978812&l=d97a54bf6c&id=1462885371

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It looks too crude to be from an actual manufacturer and isn't mounted properly.

    Here's a real one:
    http://images.craigslist.org/3nb3k53oc5T65W05P3b1d8de02d89b29e1563.jpg
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    Yeah I have to agree, this looks like a period aftermarket item.
  • mysta13mysta13 Member Posts: 6
    Thank you for the help, Mr. Shiftright, and for taking the time & trouble to find & post the photo which really made your point clear. Though I have seen some after-market mascots with fairly refined detailing this one doea seem particularly crude.
    Perhaps the mounting hole on the one I have was for use with one of those temperature gauge things that sat on top of the radiator cap (vintage...?) Thanks again. mysta13
  • mysta13mysta13 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the input, fintail. Glad to be learning stuff from this site. mysta13
  • 71cadi183971cadi1839 Member Posts: 5
    Not sure if this is the right place, but...
    I recently acquired a 1971 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo Series 75.
    It had been sitting in a garage here in Hawaii for the past 35 years.
    Only once in 1992 was the car used for a wedding. Everything down to the tires are original equipment. The garage was sealed like a time capsule so everything so far appears to have been preserved very well.
    The best part of this story is it only has 1839 original miles on the odometer.
    I'd like to find out some history about the car as well as statistics like how many were made, etc.
    If there's anyone hat would like to help me or redirect me to a better site for my inquiries, I'd be much appreciative!
    Aloha,
    Scott
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    There were 848 Series 75 limos made that year by the factory.

    As for the history, you're just going to have to inquire around HI. There must be people still around who remember the livery service where it worked. We might be able to tell you a few things from the VIN # and you should also read off the Data Plate attached to the firewall. If you post those we'll translate for you.
  • 71cadi183971cadi1839 Member Posts: 5
    Got it. Going out to get that now. I also want to see if there such a thing as a registry where I can post this gem. I love the fact that I found something that's been hidden for almost 4 decades, but there might be someone out there that just has to have this for whatever reason. The fact that it has only 1840 miles is amazing enough, but that it is almost in the same condition that it was when new.
  • 71cadi183971cadi1839 Member Posts: 5
    Here is the information you've asked for;
    VIN: 697331Q170571
    Tag on firewall reads:
    ST 7169733 P21 661 BDY

    TR 743 19 19 PNT

    03B

    I hope this helps!
    Scott
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    6=GM, Cadillac; 9733= Fleetwood Limo; 1=1971; Q=built in Detroit MI plant

    Trim 743 = black w/medium beige Paint 19 Sable Black 19= black vinyl top?

    As for the low mileage claim, without documentation that's going to be pretty hard to prove, unless of course the car shows absolutely no wear to anything, has all the decals in place, no pedal wear---then you might convince someone. But still, without records, it's hard to say. Naturally, one would expect "age wear" to certain parts, but not "foot" or "hand" or "body" wear of any kind.

    I'm sure there is a Cadillac registry with one of the various Cadillac clubs, or even perhaps with one of the commercial vehicle clubs on the internet.
  • 71cadi183971cadi1839 Member Posts: 5
    First, thanks for the breakdown. Second, regarding the mileage. One thing I have that helps verify the low miles is all the safety inspection sheets from the day she was bought new along with several of the registration forms and there does not seem to be any discrepancy in the mileage.
    Another thing that is a sign of low miles is no wear on either the brake or gas pedal and the drivers seat looks as new as possible. No different from the pass side and, well, I can't think of anything else other than the front floor mats don't show any wear at all either.
    You are more than welcome to look at the pictures in my pic account at:
    www.photobucket.com/smbolter
    Hope you like them
    Aloha...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    Looks pretty nice and legit from what I can see.

    Hard position to be stuck in though...driving it will devalue it considerably, but there's no enjoyment to be had by not driving it.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Looks like you have a lot of clean up to do there! When did this car last run?
  • 71cadi183971cadi1839 Member Posts: 5
    Clean up?
    What r u looking at? I thought she was looking pretty good from where she was Sunday.
    I know I am gonna have her polished n waxed n I have some interior detailing n maybe engine compartment, but for sitting for 2 decades without human contact, I'd say she's looking pretty nice. I can't stop looking at her, but I also just want to keep polishing the chrome bumpers and trim no matter how many times I have done it...
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Oh I guess I was looking at older pictures. Quite a nice find!

    Yes, the engine compartment could use some spiffing up. Get rid of some of that surface rust. Looks like it also had a new muffler put on at some point in its life also.

    This building probably wasn't the best place for it but on the other hand it doesn't seem to have suffered too much at all. I guess once you get 'er on the road more you can check for leaky seals, swap out the tires, stuff like that....unless you just intend to trailer it places.
  • mrsixpackmrsixpack Member Posts: 39
    This could be a 51 or 52 Ford F1.....I owned a 52 F2 that looked the same !
  • carb0ycarb0y Member Posts: 1
    im trying to date an old photo that has cars in it,">how can i ad an image,its just a jpeg,its not on-line, so i cant figure out your IMG button or the help either<img src="
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 10,706
    It needs to be online, then you paste the url address with the 'img' button.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,147
    The photo must be uploaded to an online service that stores the photo on their site. I use photobucket.com. They have free accounts. Sign up for one, then upload the digital photo from your computer to their site.

    With the photo after you uploaded will be links you copy to use here. Paste the link into your post here. Selected the whole address that you copied from photobucket.com, and then click on the IMG button below the post window. That will add the proper html symbols and your picture should show up in the post after you click the Post My Message button.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • razzlesrazzles Member Posts: 1
    I have a part of an old family photo link below. What year make and model do you believe it is? It should be 1930s or 1940s. I can see what appears to be several arrows pointing down on the vertical bumper trim and on the top grill.

    http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k549/razzlesson/oldcar1.jpg

    Thanks for your help.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    Looks like a 1941 Studebaker to me, experts here might even be able to tell the model
  • oldphotooldphoto Member Posts: 4
    Does anyone know what Make, Model and Year this car is?
    All I know is that the photos were taken in 1917.

    http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/6/0/4/5/4/4/webimg/535029501_o.jpg">

    THANKS!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    edited December 2011
    I'm not sure what it is. It's a pricier car of the day, the V windshield is very cool and the wire wheels are nice too. The radiator shell is kind of old style, but it is has electric lights and the fenders are a more modern shape, I will date it to 1914 or so. A number of makes such as Cadillac, Locomobile, etc used a similar radiator shell, I am unsure which this is.

    The experts at the AACA forum will know

    The SVVS ID site is good too
  • oldphotooldphoto Member Posts: 4
    thanks - here a 'shaky' side view

    ">link title
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I'll take a flyer (no pun intended) and say it looks something like a Thomas.

    Pre WW 1 cars are tough---not only did America produce literally hundreds of different makes, but some of them were only produced locally (state-wide), and some only lasted 2-3 years at most. They also would often change radically year to year. You gotta be a real pro to identify cars like this unless it's a common make.
  • oldphotooldphoto Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2012
    thanks for your response...especially the part about how hard it is to identify autos from this era. I'm a "beginner" and was not aware of the sheer difficulty of it. I guessn I should have know something was up, when, I gazed at inteernet images by the hundreds for 2 hours and was unable to positively identify the auto.

    here's a closer look at that very interesting windshield

    http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/6/0/4/5/4/4/webimg/535701411_o.jpg">link title

    thanks again!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    That's ANOTHER aspect of very old cars I forgot to mention. People often modified them, and then there were also HUNDREDS of aftermarket catalogs that made things for cars. That windshield does look jury-rigged, but then again, back then cars were built in very peculiar ways.

    These folks are obviously out in the boonies, back when the boonies could get you killed. In the mid-teens, there were hardly any roads west of the Mississippi--these were not much more than stagecoach dirt roads with ruts.

    One reason why old American cars are built so high off the ground, compared to similar year European cars, is that in America you absolutely had to have at least 1 foot of road clearance, whereas in Europe they had centuries of good roads.

    Still another issue---many cars of this period were "assembled"--meaning that the automaker did not actually create the car---he just bought parts from suppliers and bolted them together---he might create the basic body and perhaps the grille, (or modify someone else's body shell with a screen or a custom nameplate) but the fender, radiator, wheels, tires, lights, engine, transmission--these were all 'store-bought" from someone else. Hence many assembled cars look alike.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    Have you tried the AACA or SVVS links I posted? I'll wager a lot you'll get some kind of ID there - that car is pretty unique, and there are some people on those sites who have knowledge which astounds me.

    That windshield and the fender shapes are key, I think - along with the radiator shell. I suspect the wire wheels are an aftermarket item.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Good point. If they are out in the boonies, last thing you want is wooden artillery wheels.
  • oldphotooldphoto Member Posts: 4
    I am on AACA with the same images....but found the SVVS site to be difficult to navigate.

    so far this is all I have received from AACA: "It looks like a mid teens Benz. It's difficult to nail down the exact year without better photos."

    thanks!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    er....I don't think that's right at all. The Benz grill is instantly identifiable and that's not it.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    edited January 2012
    It might take a few days, but I bet you'll get a positive ID sooner or later - the holidays probably slow people down. Try the SVVS site too, they have a more worldwide membership base. I could post it there if you are unable.

    I also don't think it is a Benz - they mostly had a pointed radiator at that time which would mimic that windshield. I also don't believe many if any were exported to the US then.

    Edit - although looking at the SVVS site, I find this 1914 Benz with similar wheels...
  • rhusakerrhusaker Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2012
    Can anyone identify the type of car in this old photo?
    Old Car Picture
    I hope the link works. Thanks.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,140
    It's an Essex / Terraplane, 1933 I am pretty sure.
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