Guest Paul Christ Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 It appears that the New York Police Department traveled in style way back when. Written across the top of the photo is "Traffic Squad Parade ... Arrival Mayor McClellan". This photo might have been taken on November 5, 1908. What type of car is pictured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 I believe that's a Peerless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozierman Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 How about a 1906/7 S & M Simplex?After all, they were built in Manhattan, New York located at 614 East 83rd Street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 I cannot find a Peerless that has that radiator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 I would agree with S&M. What a superb photo - great detail. Check out that bank of oilers on the dash top. Looks as if the driver hasn't even applied the handbrake yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Either that or that is the gear lever for the progressive gearbox and he is looking for first gear to get going again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Paulsen Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Many early cars had a hand brake that was applied by pushing it forward. Most of them also depressed and disengaged the clutch at the same time. A very interesting early safety feature.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 The tag on the upper radiator tank is the main clue. Locomobile, Stevens-Duryea, maybe a Columbia, I need to find photos with radiators to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob McAnlis Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Beautiful picture.Though my first thought was Columbia, add Matheson to the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Google 1906 Columbia then click on Images and a radiator will pop up that looks like a match. Tried to steal it but the cut and paste wouldn't stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 This pic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 The Columbia's radiator is quite different in shape (both top and bottom) to that of the mystery car. Note also that the Columbia doesn't have the protruding plain-bearing front hubs that the mystery car has. Even though the pic is dated 1908, the car would be 1905. It puzzles me why these cars use pleated and buttoned seats. All that does is hide poor quality leather. The best cars had plain seats which required the very best unblemished hides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 The front bumper has to be a bit of a rareity. When did they switch from PDNY to NYPD?The columbs are interesting as well, I wonder what function they serve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) Here's the same one I photographed at Hershey in 2007. Edited August 23, 2009 by West Peterson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I'm still guessing 1908 Peerless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caf Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 That visible lubricator on the dash reminded me of a vehicle I saw in the HCC Gazette , Jan Feb 2008 pages 51 thru 57. It is a dead ringer for an American Mercedes built by Steinway in New York City (Queens). The factory was destroyed by fire in 1907 an not rebuilt. Quite an interesting article and some very good original photos showing the radiator emblem shape, lubricator, etc.. The old FD sure went first class!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I love the photo. I don't know anything about the car but I find it interesting that all of the officers seem to be either on horses, or on foot. It seems that only the Mayor is worthy of a car. I guess governmental priorities have always been the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 The restored car has a lot of features different than the old black and white photo car. And what it that handle sticking out of the top radiator tank on the maroon car?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I agree, and that's why I don't think it's a Columbia. I've forgotten what that little "key" is that sticks out of the radiator. I don't even remember seeing it when I photographed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 That odd T handle may be a compression release to ease in cranking the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul Christ Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I love the photo. I don't know anything about the car but I find it interesting that all of the officers seem to be either on horses, or on foot. It seems that only the Mayor is worthy of a car. I guess governmental priorities have always been the same.Ha-ha, how true! Thanks for the laugh. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul Christ Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 While searching for more details on the "PDNY" mystery car, I came across the original photo with the following caption; "Traffic Squad Parade, November 5, 1908. Mayor George McClellan alighting from auto on the plaza at Union Square. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. "Max" McClellan, New York mayor from 1904 to 1909, was the son of Civil War general George B. McClellan."The front bumper has to be a bit of a rareity. When did they switch from PDNY to NYPD?The columns are interesting as well, I wonder what function they serve?The columns are supports for the steel structure which can be seen above the officers on the left in the original photo. The picture below shows the columns and steel structure from a different angle; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 This car is definitely an S&M Simplex from about 1906-7. 1907 was their last year. The Peerless cars of this era were shaft drive and had angled rather than curved radiator tops. I am sure most people will have a copy of the Standard Catalog of American cars for this era. There is a fairly good pic of a 1906 S&M in there and the following features can be seen. Note that on our mystery car the Mayor is stepping out on to a small step, well above the running board, and there is a small cupboard with a latch between the two - for access to the driving chain. Note also the outer control lever which is well forward. Also the use of ten spoke wheels at the front and 12 spoke wheels at the back. As far as I know, none of these cars has survived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozierman Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Thank you for agreeing with me nzcarnerd.I only claim to be an expert on Loziers, but I do really like all brass era autos too.It is too bad no examples of the S&M Simplex survived as it looks like a quality car. I also really liked the photos of the Columbia. I bet a factory delivered car never was done that nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caf Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I was able to locate a picture in my 1907 ALAM under Smith and Mabley Simplex. The car does match very well. I now also think it is a S&M Simplex after all. The American Mercedes had 12 spoke front wheels whereas the Simplex model AA shows 10 spoke front wheels. It has what appears to be the dash lubricator showing also . It sold for 4950. had four cylinders, 4 1/2 by 5 1/2, four speed transmission and three different wheelbases 106, 111, and 114. The HP rating was 30 -35. The larger model for the year was model DA, but it shows 12 spoke front wheels . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paul Christ Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 For comparison, different models of 1905? S&M Simplex autos are shown below. (These photos were found on Ebay, and are the property of Walter Miller ( www.autolit.com ). I hope that Mr. Miller will not mind me posting his photos here.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Bell Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 This is definately a 30 hp, 1906, Smith & Mabley Simplex. It is S&M car number 77, purchased from S&M's Malcomb A. Strauss in June of 1906.I have a front view photo of this car (S&M photo #12764), I believe taken in 1906. It is without the bumper, and with a white on black PDNY license plate.There were no other sales to the NYC Police Dept. listed in the Smith & Mabley records.Bill Bell, Simplex historian3/11/2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryVan Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Gosh Bill, I don't know, it kind of sounds like you're guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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