Old Car What is it

[missileer]

I think the style was called a "4 passenger piano box trap". It might be a Columbia manufactured in Hartford, CT. Just a guess; no evidence. The rear seat does not match the front design, so I think it might have been added just for the picture. Thus, it might really be a 2 passenger trap.

[Madbrit]

It could be a Panhard. It's a pity we can't see the right side of this vehicle to see if it has a chain drive.
It looks too well equipped to be a prop. I briefly thought it might be a Benz but the front is not curved and the wheel configuration is regular ( A period Benz has a larger rear wheel). And I personally think it's gasoline powered as there is little evidence of a steam propulsion unit about the vehicle.
It is a mystery. Airdave, are you considering doing a model of it to further mystify us all ?

Derek

[airdave]

Originally Posted by Madbrit

Airdave, are you considering doing a model of it to further mystify us all ?

Derek

Lol no
I have no connection to it.
It's just fun to do the searching.

[ennder]

Originally Posted by airdave

I'd say the 1900 Locomobile Steam Runabout is a good candidate
but there are a still a few differences.
Like the weight and thickness of the wheels/tires.
The photo does not appear to be reversed (horizontally) since Niagara Falls is correct
with the Horseshoe Falls to the right of the American Falls.

Interesting, the ground beneath the car
and the Niagara Falls background
appear to be the same large piece of painted canvas
with a jagged line of real rocks holding it stretched and in place.

I cleaned up the photo a bit to get a better look at the Car.
Unfortunately, no more clues to its identity.

I've never been to Niagara. What I was referring to was where the steering tiller is located. In most of the photos I've found on these types of autos, the steering tiller is located in the middle or on the right hand side, not on the side shown is this photo

[airdave]

Originally Posted by ennder

I've never been to Niagara. What I was referring to was where the steering tiller is located. In most of the photos I've found on these types of autos, the steering tiller is located in the middle or on the right hand side, not on the side shown is this photo

Definitely not arguing with you.
But I'd bet the painting is Niagara Falls, and if so, it is the correct way around.
only difference being that one hundred years later, the Horseshoe Falls have eroded back a little more.

[Butelczynski]

Originally Posted by Miles Linnabery

Thanks every one:
Could this be a one off photographers prop? no motor made from pieces parts?
Miles
Thanks AirDave for the cleanup

There is also a good chance of just that-immobile photo prop.

God knows photographers in those days used some outrageous (and some rather ingenious) props for publicity.My further family is in possession of picture of our grand,grand mother from turn of the century where she is made to look well-off.Closer examination of picture show "dress" to be made out of likely paper and it doesn't have back.

Pictures of solders in Great War on plane,tank,ships,Zeppelin props are well known.Heck,we have a Prime Minister known for using props and dresses for photo ops.

[airdave]

If the photo is that old (1897?) a vehicle of this kind would have been an expensive luxury item (at that time).
There also would have been little or no "wrecks" or used parts.

So unless they stole one from some where, I can't see a photographer (at that time) having one in his "prop" collection.

And, since its such a new, and relatively unknown vehicle (at that time), I can't see someone building a realistic replica.

At that time...is apparently the catch phrase I am going to use repeatedly.

Just my opinion, but I don't think its a photographers prop...at that time (1897).

Now, if the dates are wrong, and this photo was taken 10-20 years later,
then I might accept a photographer having one of these as a "prop".

Again...at this time...just my opinion.

[airdave]

And to follow up on what Ennder said,
take a look at the Driver...the one with the driver's hat.

His right hand is steering a lever which is positioned across his lap,
from a pole mounted on the left hand side of the floor.

His left hand appears to be holding something on the armrest
connected by levers and rods on the outside of the body.

Wouldn't an American vehicle be set up this way to allow the driver to enter on the right hand side of the car, but be seated on the left?

[whulsey]

Tillers could be set up left, right or center. Left hand steering didn't become the standard (in America) until into the late 1910's.

[romfolmar]

Looking at the men's jackets, it seems the car is reverse inmage because of the buttons