MTFCA Forum

The photo of the American Red Cross coupe's all lined up. You can see the reflection of the tires on the roof in the roof. I would not think the standard top material would be the reflective. Guess, too, that was the days before the big red cross on top of cars.

Wonder what that is on top of those coupes and what kind of town car is in the background.

Jim Eubanks wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:47 am

Wonder what that is on top of those coupes and what kind of town car is in the background.

Spare tires ?

Spare tires on the tops. I'm thinking they were not carried that way, just temporarily assigned to the car ? The town car may be a model T as well, transverse rear spring. Thoughts ?

I think that's a Ford town car. It looks a little dirty... might be a taxi. The styling has a slight resemblance to the Couplettes. As for the smaller crates atop the large ones, my first thought was batteries, but I wouldn't think you'd want to stack batteries on top of other cargo. If it's an export load of cars, the smaller boxes might contain motor oil in 2 gallon cans for dealer stocks, and perhaps other dealer needs.

The Red Cross Fords are 1918 Coupelets. Note that the upper door hinge is below the side windows, so the window/door piller can be removed. Interesting photo. Russ Furstnow

The second pic appears to have been taken minutes after an accident. Based on where most attention is focused, it was between the car in the center and the motorcycle in the foreground. The driver of the car near left wants to leave, as he is about to start his car.

The "bags" on the roofs of cars were for coal gas. They used that gas to power the vehicles. I do not know why they used it. Maybe less expensive or more available in a particular area than gasoline. Maybe you could drive farther on one fill up.

Someone with greater knowledge of those times should tell the story.

On the shipping photo...
Is there a date? Any other info?? I wonder where they are shipping them?