1899 Photo

Discuss old photos here or even in the photo itself

Topic author
Momcat
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:14 pm
First Name: J
Last Name: Bass
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

1899 Photo

Post by Momcat » Sat Nov 27, 2021 9:20 pm

I am trying to identify the car in this photo. It was taken in 1899 in Shelby, NE being driven by the town doctor (the boy in the photo was my grandfather at age 9). I've looked all over and cannot come up with what this car was. Help!
Attachments
img20211127_0141_cropped.png

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3285
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: 1899 Photo

Post by DanTreace » Sat Feb 05, 2022 11:45 am

From that left hand tiller, and the front cowl, no radiator grill, appears to be an early electric auto. A Baker or perhaps this Columbia electric, as the mudguard flares seem the same, the wheels are heavy for the battery weight on board. Think the earlier like 1900 or '01 used the hard rubber tread.

Your great-grandfather driving has added a large acetylene head lamp for perhaps he lived outside the town proper, and needed that for returns after sunset. Likely well off and farm was on the grid, or had kerosene generator station to re-charge the batteries on the electric!

1901-'02-'03 Columbia
Image 2-5-22 at 11.35 AM.jpeg
Image 2-5-22 at 11.35 AM.jpeg (57.88 KiB) Viewed 1779 times
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Phillip O
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:35 am
First Name: Phillip
Last Name: Oldenhage
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 Touring 13 Speedster 1919 Racer 26 Touring
Location: Atwater CA
MTFCA Number: 29864
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: 1899 Photo

Post by Phillip O » Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:39 am

Maybe konx

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic