Circa 1921 Car to ID

A neat old photograph -

The picture is of Wallace Reid, a silent film movie star, was photographed in Chicago in 1921. The photographer noted the actor's name on the emulsion side of the glass plate negative, thus, the mirror image writing on the print. Wikipedia states that Wallace made some automobile racing films about the time that the picture was taken. Perhaps the car pitured appears in Excuse My Dust (released 1920), Too Much Speed (released 1921), and Across the Continent (relesed 1922).

Grandpa

It looks a lot like this car, which is a Daniels from the late Teens. Differences are the belt-line molding and the windshield. Similarities are the rear fender, wheels, double laundau bars for the victoria top, and individual step plates instead of running boards.

However, they are both obviously custom bodies (I would argue Fleetwood on this photo), so none of this may be relevant.

This is actress Beatriz Michelena, who was withCalifornia Motion Picture Corp in San Rafael from 1914-1919.

The hub caps look the same also. And hey West, are those white walls???

First glance opinion is Cunningham from that era. Standard Catalog photos don't show enough close up details, but that rear fender and step plate detail is clear.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1926pack</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> hey West, are those white walls??? </div></div>

Yeah. Money-no-taste department.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1937hd45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First glance opinion is Cunningham from that era. Standard Catalog photos don't show enough close up details, but that rear fender and step plate detail is clear. </div></div>

You may have nailed it, Bob. The windshield posts and belt line seem to be more in line with the Cunningham. The hubs and rear fenders between Daniels and Cunningham are about the same.

My irst look suggested Cunningham, same as Bob. There is an article on Cunningham in Automobile Quarterly Volume III, Number 4. Full page photos show a 1919 speedster and a 1922 dual cowl phaeton. Windsceen supports, step plate detail, and belt line on Allen's photo are closely similar to the 1919, while the bet line on the 1922 divides at the rear of the cowl to be double round the top of the body. As this was often the sort of style feature that changed with time rather than whim, you might guess that the car was slightly earlier rather than later. (Who was it that said that to be fashionable is ominous, burdened with imminent certainty of soon becoming un-fashionable).

Ivan Saxton

Look at Reid's shoes..... man, they're the bees knees and the cat's pajamas!!!!!!.... sorry, I couldn't resist....B

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ivan_Saxton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(Who was it that said that to be fashionable is ominous, burdened with imminent certainty of soon becoming un-fashionable).

Ivan Saxton </div></div>

Since you asked:

"For an idea ever to be fashionable is ominous, since it must afterwards be always old-fashioned." - George Santayana

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." – George Santayana