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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Robert Haigh on Monday 27 November 23 21:53 GMT (UK)
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My grandfather, James Broadbent Haigh (1874-1923) was a chauffeur and gardener for a businessman in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. I wonder if anyone can tell me when this photo was taken? He died in June 1923, aged 48. The car may give a clue, and he looks to be in his 40s in the photo. The number ...C1-84529 is on the back of the photo, which may or may not mean anything. My own feeling is that the photo dates from pre-1920, but I don't really know. (http://)
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Hi Robert and welcome to RootsChat, I'm no expert on cars but this will bring your post back up the board.
Carol
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I am not a car expert either, but if no-one answers on Rootschat, if you google "antique automobile club UK" you will find lots of clubs who will be able to help identify the car. It looks quite distinctive with it's round front bonnet - and if the owner can afford your grandfather to drive around his golf clubs, it's probably top of the range!
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I am not a car expert either, but if no-one answers on Rootschat, if you google "antique automobile club UK" you will find lots of clubs who will be able to help identify the car. It looks quite distinctive with it's round front bonnet - and if the owner can afford your grandfather to drive around his golf clubs, it's probably top of the range!
Thanks for the advice. I appreciate any helpful hint!
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Hi Robert and welcome to RootsChat, I'm no expert on cars but this will bring your post back up the board.
Carol
Thank you for the welcome, and for the goodwill gesture!
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The bonnet shape reminds me of a pre-WW1 Renault, but there may be other possibilities. See for example this 1910 AX Tourer:
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21902/lot/380/1910-renault-ax-tourer-chassis-no-22353-engine-no-1887/
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The bonnet shape reminds me of a pre-WW1 Renault, but there may be other possibilities. See for example this 1910 AX Tourer:
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21902/lot/380/1910-renault-ax-tourer-chassis-no-22353-engine-no-1887/
Thanks for your input. I've had a look at your Renault-ax-tourer and there are definite similarities in the bonnet and some of the fittings. Probably a later model in my photo, but still pre-1920 I'm thinking. I appreciate your help!
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Having looked into this a bit more now, I'm pretty sure it is a Renault, but I think you're probably right about it being during or a bit after WW1. Many of the earlier models didn't have much in the way of doors, and the radiator surround seems to have been more angular. Too far into the 1920s, though, and the 'coal scuttle' bonnet became much squarer.
This site (in French) has pictures of a lot of the models of that era:
https://renaultheque.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/renault-1910-a-1914/
https://renaultheque.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/renault-1915-a-1919/
https://renaultheque.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/renault-1920-a-1924/
Of the ones there, I wondered about a 1916 FK, but I could be wrong. Have fun!
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Of the ones there, I wondered about a 1916 FK
Good find Arthurk. I think you're right, 1912-1916 from the images. From 1916 I fancy the 1916 H20 model because it has those square cowl lights on the side. Must have square cowl lights and healthy gap from windscreen to where the curved bonnet starts.
I also saw a couple of other contenders from earlier based on square cowl etc.
When I went on an image hunt yesterday, all I could find with a curved bonnet was Renault too.
Apparently it was the deluxe cars which came with cowl lights; regular cars didn't and you'd have to pay extra if you wanted them. I'm not a car person. The things you learn ;D (But I did once own a Renault Gordini)
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Having looked into this a bit more now, I'm pretty sure it is a Renault, but I think you're probably right about it being during or a bit after WW1. Many of the earlier models didn't have much in the way of doors, and the radiator surround seems to have been more angular. Too far into the 1920s, though, and the 'coal scuttle' bonnet became much squarer.
This site (in French) has pictures of a lot of the models of that era:
https://renaultheque.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/renault-1910-a-1914/
https://renaultheque.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/renault-1915-a-1919/
https://renaultheque.wordpress.com/2014/11/30/renault-1920-a-1924/
Of the ones there, I wondered about a 1916 FK, but I could be wrong. Have fun!
Looking at all the vintage cars in your links I'm now sure the car in my photo is a Renault. Still not sure which model, but your links have certainly been helpful in narrowing down the range. Thanks again!
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Of the ones there, I wondered about a 1916 FK
Good find Arthurk. I think you're right, 1912-1916 from the images. From 1916 I fancy the 1916 H20 model because it has those square cowl lights on the side. Must have square cowl lights and healthy gap from windscreen to where the curved bonnet starts.
I also saw a couple of other contenders from earlier based on square cowl etc.
When I went on an image hunt yesterday, all I could find with a curved bonnet was Renault too.
Apparently it was the deluxe cars which came with cowl lights; regular cars didn't and you'd have to pay extra if you wanted them. I'm not a car person. The things you learn ;D (But I did once own a Renault Gordini)
I'm now certain the car is a Renault, so that is progress. Thank you for helping!
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There were a number of cars during this period which had coal-scuttle bonnets, but this is indeed a Renault as suggested by Arthurk. Renault made scuttled bonnets for longer than most, but a couple of identifiers help to narrow it down a bit. The rear radiator was internal after 1919. The bonnet is relatively short so it is a smaller power car. The leading edge of the rear radiator at the scuttle is rounded, so no earlier than 1911. There is a scuttle body section behind the radiator to the windscreen. The windscreen is relatively small. There is also a fuel filler cap in the scuttle. The latter suggests a cca 1913 Renault Model DM 11HP Torpedo Tourer. The actual date of the photo cannot be earlier, but could be later.
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Thanks for that - there seem to have been so many Renault models with often only small differences between them that a more expert opinion is invaluable.
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There were a number of cars during this period which had coal-scuttle bonnets, but this is indeed a Renault as suggested by Arthurk. Renault made scuttled bonnets for longer than most, but a couple of identifiers help to narrow it down a bit. The rear radiator was internal after 1919. The bonnet is relatively short so it is a smaller power car. The leading edge of the rear radiator at the scuttle is rounded, so no earlier than 1911. There is a scuttle body section behind the radiator to the windscreen. The windscreen is relatively small. There is also a fuel filler cap in the scuttle. The latter suggests a cca 1913 Renault Model DM 11HP Torpedo Tourer. The actual date of the photo cannot be earlier, but could be later.
A great piece of detective work! Thank you for the info!
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I am always happy to try and assist with car recognitions. I think the numbers on the back of the photo are probably the photographers reference because they do not seem to have any relevance to the registration. Am also attaching my version of repairs to the photo.
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I am always happy to try and assist with car recognitions. I think the numbers on the back of the photo are probably the photographers reference because they do not seem to have any relevance to the registration. Am also attaching my version of repairs to the photo.
OK. Thanks for that! I shall copy and save your repaired version of the photo.