History What's this car from 1902?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicago_Santa_Claus_1902.jpg

 

I don’t know but that is an awesome creepy santa

 

A lack of overweight candidates back then

 

Looks more like 1905 / 1906 to me.
Here is a 1905 Buick I used to own.

 

I'd guess 1903 - 04, really good mid size car Packard or Winton. The rear entrance door was a popular style back then, when chassis got longer there was room for side doors. Merry Christmas.

Here is a 1904 Knox for the view of the rear seating with a rear door.

Bob

 

If you zoom into the picture, the rear tires appears to have snow chains on them!

 

The popular Santa we know was introduced by CocaCola.
The car looks to be a taxi with that roof rack.
The coachwork shows signs of older influence, while the splash guards are newer style.

Merry Christmas

 

It seems that 1902 is correct. You can see "1902" (mirrored) in the lower left corner of the image.

https://images.chicagohistory.org/asset/276/

 

I have got to agree, that is one creepy Santa.

 

there were like 80 car manufacturers in 1902

 

Snow and MUD chains. Not a lot of paved roads in 1902. Makes sense.

 

It was a Sunday January 1st in 1905

 

Based on?

The negative is marked 1902, the (no longer working) link on the Wikipedia page went to the Library of Congress, and the link I posted in #8 has "Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum."

Here's the summary from Wikimedia Commons:



I came across the picture and caption on the Wikipedia page on Santa Claus.

 

Based on the sign on the chimney
Free Christmas dinner
Sunday January 1

 

Good eye and research. Very interesting. The mystery thickens. I wonder if the picture was published in the newspaper. Someone should contact the Chicago History Museum.

 

Here's a 1903 Winton!



https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/27509/lot/21/1903-winton-2-cylinder-tourer-chassis-no-1718/#photos

And here's a 1903 Packard! Man, look at that red paint. The tonneau looks more like it, and it's got one lamp on the left rear, but the front fender is way off.



https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/8558,9994/1903-packard-model-f.aspx

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks for taking the time to find and post the photos of the Winton and Packard, think the OP photo matches the Winton. The Packard is close to a sister car that was the first automobile to drive cross country with two men and Bud the Pitbull. Have a Happy New Year!

Bob
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articl...ry-road-trip-took-2-men-and-a-pitbull-63-days