History Photos taken before WW2 - history in black and white

Here's a 1915 Pierce-Arrow, similar to the one we are restoring here at McPherson College right now. This one is in the hills of NY. It shows a dealer license plate on the front. How's that for a test drive?

 

Pre WW2 military may prove to be challenging, but worth it. Here are some early conveyances I know nothing about. Can anyone tell us about these?

 

How about a Pierce Arrow driving test instead?

 

Monster is right. "Setting the Pace" from 1909 by William H. Foster depicts the race between an Oldsmobile Limited and the 20th Century Limited express steam engine. It was emblematic of the early emphasis on auto performance, especially versus other transportation technologies in the early 20th Century! Anybody got any specifics on the car, engine, where the event took place, etc.???

 

BTW, Foster's painting is historical and is NOT a photo, but I doubt any pix exist of this event.

 

Well here's a statistical oddity, a snapshot of a Pierce Arrow that also shows a WW1 recruit (navy?). The flip side reads: Courtney Van De Veer, E Liverpool Ohio.

 

A couple of unknown brand Gentlemans Speedcars that I believe might be at the Laurel, MD track. This track was a popular spot for early racing outside of DC.

 

T-Head-
The first racer looks like a 1910 Buick Model 16. The other looks like a 1914-15 Oldsmobile. The hubcaps seem to confirm that....or I could be wrong.

 

Damn good thread!! I love the history and all the info...thanks guys!

 

Thanks......

 

Great cars were cut down not only for the gentleman's speedster, but for garage service rigs too. Here's one from Girard, KS. Can you tell what this started out as, Early Guy?

 

,,,About the armored cars,,on the right, built on a 1915 Cadiiiac chassis, experimental, made a cross country trip.The other was a Plymouth chassis, 1928. From Fred Crismon's book, U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles

 

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A great photos of a Model T Racing Club in the 30's. Follow the link below for more photos and the story telling all about it.

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3723&page=7

 

Awesome thread!!!

 

Thanks, scrapiron. Here's one of the NY national guard with a White (not steam this time). LOC photo.

 

Great T story and pix, T-Head. If the lads get out of control, this crew might be dispatched. Modified Cadillac in Denver.

 

We're definitely getting into some interesting history, with the guys in Lompoc. About the same time, old car enthusiasts were beginning to organize. Back east, the AACA and VMCCA were formed in the 1930's, as was the HCCA in California. This photo is of a 1905 Packard at the 9th Derby held in Philadelphia, in October of 1939. The team shown is the second all-female team at the Derby. We have QCMC to thank for this great glimpse into how the term "old car" is relative - a 34 year old car being run in an event, prior to WW2.

 

How about a few days prior to WWII? This is Richmond, California and the banner indicates this is a few days prior to Pearl Harbor. WWII changed Richmond (most of the country, for that matter) dramatically but it was still a sleepy little town by the San Francisco bay on this day.

 

Absolutely! Thanks Cut55, and all others who have shared photos. Keep 'em coming.

 

I've got a boat to catch...

 

I sort of missed the military part of this thread, but here's a tank and what used to be a Rambler (I think).

 

anybody have a clue what brand this is?

 

The Belushi family's great-grand parents celebrate their engagement atop the origional Death Mobile! Gary

 

It looks like a 1912 Flanders. It was the smaller (20 hp) offering in the Studebaker family in the 1910-1912 era.

 

Don't you tell me how to drive..........

 

Another speedster of unknown origin, this time in Rhode Island. I like the car, I like that tie!