OK folks, here is a toughie. Though I know there are a few guys in this crowd that might now exactly what it is, as it possesses a singular distinguishing characteristic. This is a pre-war car… as in WW1(!) I will also admit to having photoshopped the marque name off of it, as well as removed the license plate, which like our early Ferrari last week provides a clue to the identity of this wonderful little car. Yes, it carries a current license and gets DRIVEN often, including long distance tours! Gotta love that.
1913 Packard?
Nope.
Hmmm, this is actually quite tough considering we ahve a full view of the car, for once. Other cars of that era I know are Renault (no), Delage (don’t think so) Mercedes (maybe). OK, I’ll go with the Merc -say 1909?
I’ll guess an 19-earlyteens REO.
Ford speedster, based on a Model T…:)
Nope, nope, nope, and NOPE.
A Six-pack of hints: This car is an orphan. It was only made for a few years, and it didn’t substantially change in that time. It has a 1-cylinder sidevalve engine. This particular one was built in 1911. The best hint is right at the front and center.
–chuck
Mercedes-Simplex?
You guys are floundering a bit, so here’s a few more hints:
1. It is American, and made in Detroit.
2. The founder left one car company to start this one, then closed this one to join another car company. Both companies at either end of this car sandwich later became part of GM.
3. This car was known for many small innovations.
4. Repeating my last hint from the previous hints: The best hint is right at the front and center.
–chuck
Well Chuck,
You have picked a doosey here. As best as I can tell it is a 1910 or 11 hupmobile 20. There are two problems though even though the rad, coachwork, wheels, dashboard, etc match this model the front axle is nothing like what i have seen on one, and your hint of a single sidevalve engine is counter to how I understand they were outfitted. Unless this is a steam conversion with a single stem cylinder.
So there is my guess,
Shaun
Hi Chuck,
Thanks for the additional hints. With them I believe the car to be a 1911 Mason Motors can’t track down themodel name.
FWIW: I’m stumped…and I should also add, I *never* go out on Mother Google or run to books to guess these wonderful pix: I either know’m or I don’t. I only ever use chuck’s hints. To me, trotting off the Internet is *cheating*….;)
And this one is one I’ll be slappin’ my head about when the answer’s finally *researched*…;) In my *weak* defense, prior to WWII, there were ~3500 marques of automobiles in the U.S., ALONE. This may be one of’m!
Your hint about a ‘household object’ tingled a neuron…is it a Brush? I can’t come up with a model, other than a landolet.
our hint about a ‘household object’ tingled a neuron…is it a Brush?
Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! Yes, it is a 1911 Brush Runabout. Nice work Wiggy!
I thought the wooden axles were the big giveaway, as they were a Brush trademark. I guess this was harder than I thought. 😉
*That* was a lucky guess!
I looked right past the wooden axles: in fact, in the original post, it didn’t look wooden to me. I just went off, half-cocked, thinking the brass radiator and the fenders looked like a T. Great one!
Can’t wait to see the one *I* sent ya…see how many guess THAT one!
Old bikers will recognize this tip, in how to keep the ‘hi-tech’ chain drive viable; *Boil* the chains in heavy grease. I did this with my motorcycles and on chain-drive race cars, called Formula 440s (now 500s)…yes, they had chain drive!
It *stunk* to high heaven, was a bloody mess, but it’s the best way to make chains work well, and last! Chains are *far* mor efficient at transfer of power (>90%) than gears, so they really are kinda hi-tech…:)
I have to admit I’ve never heard of Brush. Nor have many other people it seems: all attempts at Googling your hints (although I usually attempt the puzzles from memory) got nowhere. Ah well I’d better brush up (pun intended) on vintage Americana…
MD…try “Adams-Farwell.”
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