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Help identify Mrs. Harding's car


mikebrewer19561

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Thanks, Grimy. Any way to pin down the exact year? I ask because the above picture was supposedly taken in 1920 in Marion, Ohio before President and Mrs. Harding moved to Washington. There are also several historical references (and photos) of "President Harding's $9000, 1921 custom Locomobile". I'm wondering if the Hardings possibly had two different Locomobiles. 

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The Locomobile 48 (large series) continued virtually unchanged from 1914 until the company's demise in 1929, so it will take a Loco specialist to narrow it down.  That said, the battery and tool compartments in the splash aprons, and a couple of other factors, have a late 1910's feel.

 

Frequent poster JR Bartlett has a Loco of this vintage, so you may want to send him a PM (personal message).

 

This one appears to be a 7-passenger touring (with jump seats folded up), and the $9,000 price suggests a closed car such as a limousine, about $1,500 more than a touring for high-end cars in those days.

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There is much more information on the internet about this car - a 1920 Locomobile Model 48 - including a photograph (apparently taken in the dealer's showroom) when it was new.   The book "Presidents on Wheels,", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, notes that Warren Harding drove the 7 passenger custom built car to and from Washington, from Marion, Ohio, when he was serving in the U.S. Senate.  After President Harding died in office, Mrs. Harding took the car back to Marion.  There were some changes made to the car from when it was new:  The headlights, radiator cap, and spotlight are different.  The driver's side front door may have been a faux door, since the hinge shown on the passenger side does not appear to be duplicated on the driver's side:  https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/view-of-president-warren-g-hardings-new-9-000-00-white-news-photo/102643332#view-of-president-warren-g-hardings-new-900000-white-house-locomobile-picture-id102643332

 

 

President Harding's Automobile Pictures _ Getty Images.html

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44 minutes ago, 30sclassics said:

There is much more information on the internet about this car - a 1920 Locomobile Model 48 - including a photograph (apparently taken in the dealer's showroom) when it was new.   The book "Presidents on Wheels,", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins, notes that Warren Harding drove the 7 passenger custom built car to and from Washington, from Marion, Ohio, when he was serving in the U.S. Senate.  After President Harding died in office, Mrs. Harding took the car back to Marion.  There were some changes made to the car from when it was new:  The headlights, radiator cap, and spotlight are different.  The driver's side front door may have been a faux door, since the hinge shown on the passenger side does not appear to be duplicated on the driver's side:  https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/view-of-president-warren-g-hardings-new-9-000-00-white-news-photo/102643332#view-of-president-warren-g-hardings-new-900000-white-house-locomobile-picture-id102643332

 

 

President Harding's Automobile Pictures _ Getty Images.html

I have to believe we are talking about two different cars. One shows a brand new car which was delivered when the Hardings were in the White House (1920-1923), while another account mentions one driven from Marion to DC during Harding's time as a senator (1914-1920). 

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