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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Bertsbees on Wednesday 18 March 20 20:58 GMT (UK)

Title: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Bertsbees on Wednesday 18 March 20 20:58 GMT (UK)
attached is a photo of my Great Grandfather Woodworth and my Grandmother , Margerie , in Cambridge Massachusetts.  I have never been able to figure out the make or year of the car.  Any help would be appreciated,   Bert
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 19 March 20 16:49 GMT (UK)
I would say Edwardian...great image  :D
Carol
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Bertsbees on Thursday 19 March 20 17:15 GMT (UK)
Thanks Carol,    Yeah I love the photo too.....I thought that the wicker basket mounted on the side to presumably carry umbrellas was very fun.   I wish I could get the exposure of my Gramma better,  she is hidden in the shadows..  Cheers,  ..Bert
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: jaywit on Thursday 19 March 20 17:26 GMT (UK)
I think the car registration number is B 177

This suggests Lancashire 1904 / 1919

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/registrations/b.htm
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 17:49 GMT (UK)
I think the car registration number is B 177

This suggests Lancashire 1904 / 1919

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/registrations/b.htm

… except that OP said "attached is a photo of my Great Grandfather Woodworth and my Grandmother , Margerie , in Cambridge Massachusetts."
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: jaywit on Thursday 19 March 20 17:52 GMT (UK)
Ooops sorry about that.
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 18:15 GMT (UK)
This site might be useful... scrolling through it now starting with the year 1900-
https://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/1900.htm
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 18:25 GMT (UK)
Here's a locally manufactured car- similar but not identical-
https://www.american-automobiles.com/Upton-1.html
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: barryd on Thursday 19 March 20 18:55 GMT (UK)
If  the car and the house are his - upper middle class.
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: barryd on Thursday 19 March 20 19:00 GMT (UK)
If the automobile and house are his - upper middle class
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: mazi on Thursday 19 March 20 19:13 GMT (UK)
Early car makers in Massachusetts were charles and frank Duryea, making vehicles from 1893 onwards,  I think this one is quite early, pre 1903ish

Mike
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 19:16 GMT (UK)
Charles and [Uncle] Frank Duryea were based in Springfield but don't think it was one of their cars  ;)
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: japeflakes on Thursday 19 March 20 19:20 GMT (UK)
Stanley Steamer is my guess.
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 19:23 GMT (UK)
The front of the Stanley is all wrong  :-\
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Trishanne on Thursday 19 March 20 19:42 GMT (UK)
Can't help with the car I'm afraid but I tried to get more detail on their faces, but I'm afraid there is too much shadow
Pat
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 19:46 GMT (UK)
Going back to jaywit's idea to research the number plate/license plate-

First issued in Massachusetts in 1903 which means photo taken after that date but car could be a few years older. That style seems to date from 1903-1907.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Massachusetts

http://www.w-a.com/maplate.htm
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 19:50 GMT (UK)
Further breakdown of numbers on the plate- registered 1905-
http://porcelainplates.net/massachusetts_archive_2.html
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Bertsbees on Thursday 19 March 20 22:03 GMT (UK)
If  the car and the house are his - upper middle class.
   Yes Barry I think they were pretty well off.  He owned a commercial real estate company in Boston, and they lived in the "Bunker Hill" district of town.   
      Pat, your ligthing up of my Gramma's face helps . you can see her features better.  She was born in 1887, I dont know if that helps .....She looks like in late teens or early 20's ????   No date on the picture tho.   Thx again     Bert
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 22:07 GMT (UK)
Going by the front plate the photo probably was taken after 1905.

Further breakdown of numbers on the plate- registered 1905-
http://porcelainplates.net/massachusetts_archive_2.html
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: matthewj64 on Thursday 19 March 20 22:11 GMT (UK)
Stanley Steamer is my guess.

I think you're right
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Thursday 19 March 20 22:50 GMT (UK)
Stanley Steamer is my guess.

I think you're right

Based on what? The photo shows a car with several distinct features-
1) very plain, square front
2) folding front seat to allow access to back seat?
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: matthewj64 on Friday 20 March 20 00:51 GMT (UK)
Stanley Steamer is my guess.

I think you're right

Based on what? The photo shows a car with several distinct features-
1) very plain, square front
2) folding front seat to allow access to back seat?

I initially thought it was a square front, but now think it is a rounded front viewed at an angle that makes it appear square. I think the woman is sitting in the back seat, the front seat is folded down, perhaps to access something under it, and the steering wheel is not showing for some reason

M
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 20 March 20 15:33 GMT (UK)
Looking at photo as first posted here you could be correct, matthewj64  :)
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Treetotal on Friday 20 March 20 16:11 GMT (UK)
Stanley Steamer is my guess.

Nice one Japeflakes..it looks like a good match to me.
Carol
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: mazi on Friday 20 March 20 16:39 GMT (UK)
Look at the 1904 model in this link, the coffin nose was not as pronounced as in later models.

http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/StanleySteamer/

You might also like to at the “engine” slung underneath towards the back, suggests this is a steam car,
the front merely contains the boiler.

Mike
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: japeflakes on Friday 20 March 20 17:20 GMT (UK)
No steering wheel because tiller steering:
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: vintman on Saturday 21 March 20 18:35 GMT (UK)
Hi,

I am a bit late to this enquiry but can confirm that you have indeed cracked it. This vehicle is a 1905 Stanley Steamer Model E. This Model was manufactured only in 1905 and is recognisable by having a coffin-nose curved type bonnet but one which has a flat top rather than a sloping top. Also recognisable by the louvres in the bonnet which has three hinges, and by having no steering wheel.  The Model E had a 10HP 2 cylinder engine of 56.c cu ins and was the last Stanley to have tiller steering. The body style is described variously as a Gentleman’s Speed Roaster or Runabout.

The photo seems to be depicting the car being filled up with water at some sort of well. A child seems to be minding the hose sucking up the water and the driver is ensuring it goes into the reservoir. The lady, sitting in the trird dickey seat at the back is blissfully sitting back under a parasol. House in the background may have nothing to do with the owner?

Regards

Vintman
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Bertsbees on Saturday 21 March 20 23:35 GMT (UK)
Hello All,,   thank you all so much for solving that mystery for my family.  We all loved that photo, but never had any idea what the make was.
     Thats my great grandfather filling up the steamer, and my grandmother sitting in the rear seat.  They are in the Cambridge/ Boston Massachusetts area.   I had seen the little boy in the corner of the shot, but never associated it with a water filling station.  I am sure you are all right about filling the water tank in the front, and the tiller type steering rod    Very cool info....
    thanks so much in particular Japeflakes and Vintman for helping me id the car....I will share your info with my family.    Thanks so much,  the people of rootschat are the best.......Please everybody stay healthy and stay positive in the crazy world we all share......Bert
Title: Re: help identify my great grandfathers car
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 21 March 20 23:38 GMT (UK)
A great photo and a really good result Bert, feel free to post any others for dating, recognition or repair  ;)
Carol