MTFCA Forum

While watching TCM Sunday night silent movie The Boob, saw this 1920's roadster I could not identify. On the AACA forum, it was thought to be a Cole but no proof positive.

In the movie, they ended up running this car through a fence and then crash into the side of a building. The first thing to go was that wonderful motometer. Seems a shame for such a quality car. Of course back in 1926 it was just another used old car.

I really believe you're correct about it being a Cole. I even saw an image of one with that exact same motometer.

I would agree that it is a Cole. Possibly a Model 871 - Roadster. These are from a 1919 Oct List of Parts book. Perhaps the same wimdshield. Same octagon headlight rim, though no lower light housing. The bracket on the left looks the same. It may have been a wonderful car having a V-8 engine. Thanks for posting this. It is most interesting.
Rich
Feel free to send these to the AACA site.

That's what they call a sports roadster. Notice the compartment for the golf clubs behind the seat.
Norm

Thanks Jerry and Rich E. especially for the Cole drawing and plates.

I did note the golf club door as shown on the passenger side print in one scene of the movie. One thing that had me stumped was the missing "parking lamps" or lower light housing on the underside of the headlamps. The left light bracket in the illustration (Plate 25) is a match.

With the V8 engine, must have been quite a car back in the day.

The parking lamps may have been for certain models, or the car may be a different year than my parts book. The book leaves much to question as it covers 8 different models, and the parts differ. The radiator in the book is quite different than the one on the movie car. In the listings, several lamp shells are shown and listed by model. C. M. Hall as well as Brown were used.
The movie car may even have a 6-cylinder engine. I can't be sure. I have just shown what I have as it is very similar in some respects. It would be fun to know more.
Rich

The Motometer...

Here is a nice Shorpy photo showing good detail of a '20. https://www.shorpy.com/node/21379?size=_original
And another '20 with Buster.

Notice the motometer is a aircraft propeller pointing upwards.....I like it!

Thanks Rich E. for the photos and additional information. The full size glass plate Shorpy photo is amazing. Learning about the lesser known makes is interesting and fun.

Looking at Cole in the Standard Catalog of American Cars book, it appears there were no 6 cylinder engines made after 1915. V8's after that until end of production in 1925. There is a 1918 Series 870 V8 roadster illustrated in the Standard Catalog but no 871. Perhaps an omission. ?

Thanks Jerry for posting the pictures of the Cole Motometer. They are just like the one in the movie. The ornament part of the cap appears to be propeller shaped as Tim pointed out.

BobD wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:38 pm

Thanks Jerry and Rich E. especially for the Cole drawing and plates.

I did note the golf club door as shown on the passenger side print in one scene of the movie. One thing that had me stumped was the missing "parking lamps" or lower light housing on the underside of the headlamps. The left light bracket in the illustration (Plate 25) is a match.

With the V8 engine, must have been quite a car back in the day.

======================================

The hex shaped headlight, with attached parking light is 1915-1920 Packard Twin-Six.

Burger, are you saying the car behind Buster is a Packard ?

The Cole headlights are similar to Packard, however, the Packard lamps were not hexagonal - similarly shaped, the top of the rims were formed ro repeat the shape of the radiator, a hallmark Packard kept to the end of production.

Does anyone know if there are similar models on display in any museums or private collections that we could visit to see these historic vehicles in person?

Here are a few I found that were on display. I'm sure here are more.

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑

Wed May 15, 2024 1:11 pm

Here are a few I found that were on display. I'm sure here are more.
ColeMuzz.jpg

Wow Rich! That's a ton of "Cole"!

In the movie Casablanca after Ilsa and Rick finish playing in the casino they drive away in a car. Does anyone know what make and model that car is?

Don’t look at link about playing in casino! Looks a scammer.
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