Jay, how do you do it? . . Where do you get all these totally incredible old pictures? We all really do appreciate you making them available to all. One component I find curious is the splash apron. It appears to have the 'crease' and compound curve toward the rear that enables emergency brake rods to clear. I thought my '14 runabout (2/19/14) was the last to use these splash aprons. Of course, your '15 touring pic is an early model due to the bulb horn. And ya' gotta love those bald white tires! A friend nowadays got 50 miles out of a set of four!!
Crease or bulge in the splash apron was used at least through the 1917 model year.
Unfortunately, correct reproduction splash aprons are not available for the earlier black radiator, crown-fendered cars.
My 16 (assembled Nov. 1915) coupelet's splash aprons have the compound curve but not the crease.
Yes, Jay, a very nice picture! Thank you.
The bulb horn was used on many open cars at least as late as mid-June 1915. Perhaps a month or so later. Nice photo!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Compound curve or bulge is probably a better description than crease. What looks like a crease in the photo may be a reflection of the fender in the paint near the area where the splash apron starts to taper or bulge.
Splash aprons like that were used until about 1918. My 1917 runabout has them.