MTFCA Forum

And after them 28 accidents, grandpappy weren't allowed at the gin mill no more,,, great pictures we can still learn about the structural integrity of our t's today yet. Thanks for posting them,

And plate glass!! Couple of those cars looked new or were new before getting hit.

Fascinating, the last photo is a early 15-16 Centerdoor sedan that has been modified with a later radiator. Notice the unique 3 piece windshield and forked electric headlights. The fenders are later as well Perhaps Canadian?

Some very nice T’s at their worse moments. Pictures 3 and 4 look like the driver was either hurt very bad, or worse. In the last picture, I like the outside door column light. Was that a common accessory? Nice touch. Jim Patrick

Most of those front end collisions shown have the plate glass windshields broken...probably from the heads of the occupants.

My great-grandfather was killed in 1934 in a minor fender bender in his Model A coupe. The plate glass shattered and severed an artery in his neck. He bled out in front of the witnesses. The damage to his car was so minor that it could've been driven home.

Most of those cars still have usable parts. Some could have even been driven home. Wonder how the drivers and passengers did? My dad had a T when he was in college and had a collision with a trolley car in Los Angeles. He was not injured, but his parents bought him a new Model A. That A was still in the family. I learned to drive in it and was the last owner. I bought it for 15 dollars and finally tore it apart for spare parts for other A's I owned.
Norm

The pictures are great. Also what is fascinating is that a hundred years ago, photography was used in auto accidents. Perhaps the photos were for criminal court proceedings, personal claims, auto repair proof, or newspaper sensationalism. Of the wrecks that I have photographed there was one instance in which the NOPD had no pictures and mine were used in court where the mother died by someone running a stop sign. She was returning from the drug store with medicine for her baby. I let the family have both sets of prints and the negatives 'cause I did not want to look at them again but it did not make the images go away.

Crashworthiness and model T's do not go together. My one fear owning a T is to be in a serious accident. As I result I am careful where and when I drive. A similar example of the risk can be seen with the local Amish. Every year or so somebody piles into one of their carriages usually with tragic results.

Interesting photos although, sadly, people were undoubtedly harmed in the crashes. I shared these images with my friend, a Model A owner and history buff, and he found this information relating to the 7th and 8th photos in the original post. The damaged Tudor from Wis is parked in front of what may have been Roman J Kwasniewski photographic studio in Milwaukee. He found that the building is still standing although the address has been renumbered to 1024 West Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee. fwiw, jb

"From his studio on Lincoln Avenue, Roman Kwasniewski captured important events in the lives of thousands of Polish-Americans: First Communions, Confirmations, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries. He was widely regarded as his community’s premiere photographer. In addition to his commercial portrait work, Kwasniewski took thousands of pictures of the community in which he lived. His photos show Milwaukee’s Polish-American community during its most cohesive period."