I've noticed that the vertical carbide tank/acetylene generator is often mounted in different locations along the length of the car. Sometimes more forward, sometimes more towards the rear. Is there a standard location for mounting this? In some instances the location seems to determine whether spare tires are mounted forward of the tank, or to the rear of the tank.

Pictures found on Google Images show both vertical and horizontal, left and right, front and back.


A 1914 factory photo seems to show a horizontal tank, driver's side, front.

Hi Rick,

Short answer: yes, there was a standard location for the factory mounted acetylene generator.



Now, once the car was in the clutches of the original purchaser anything could happen; the generator could be replaced with a Prest-O-Lite tank, the generator could be moved fore or aft to make room for a tool box, a tire carrier, and or a luggage rack. The generator would be removed if the lamps were electrified, as was done on my '14 by the original owner when he electrified the headlamps with a period kit and mounted a twin tire carrier on the running board.

The '13/'14 running boards are all punched for the carbide generator. Also, the splash aprons are punched for the acetylene hose from either a generator or Prest-O-Lite tank.
The gas hose hole lines up with the rear two generator holes in the running boards.

Ken in Texas

The running boards are factory punched for the carbide tanks from 1913 - 1915. My '15 had its original running boards when I got it. Both sides were punched for the carbide generator, and the cars were all equipped with electric lamps by then.

The photo posted by Bill Harper has the proper location so that the driver can reach the water valve while sitting in the seat.