Chris Paulsen

Stretch cab- here it is today…

We've got it completely disassembled. I've taken nearly 1,000 photos to this point. I'll share some of the random details that I've found to be fascinating. Here's the car number painted inside the rear door using yellow chassis paint. Details of the green paint on the body and frame, along with a wide black stripe and gold pin stripe.

It's 2-cylinder gasoline with a 2-speed planetary transmission, and single-chain drive.

The Sommer Motor Co was in Detroit. They were born out of the Hammer-Sommer Auto Carriage Co. The Sommer Motor Co filed incorporation papers on April 30, 1904. Exactly one year later, an advertisement dated April 30, 1905, announced cars were available at manufacturer's cost. On June 11, 1905, it was announced that they would soon build their one-hundredth car. That was the end of their advertising. Ours is car #14.

We purchased this 1904 Sommer about a year and a half ago. We were in the middle of restoring our 1910 Auburn, so this one had to wait. Now that the Auburn is finished, it's onto the Sommer. It's amazingly complete and authentic. Through newspaper articles, we know it was owned by a gentleman (L.L. Rice) in Roswell, NM in 1931, and he displayed it at the California Carnival in Los Angeles. From there he took it to Dallas, TX. It was called a 29-year-old car at that time (already misdated). He had bought it from a tourist camp owner. The next time it shows up in the newspapers is in the car collection of Lea Abbott in Dallas TX. It was purchased in Dallas in the mid-1990's and made its way to Kansas shortly after. Here are a couple photos when we got it.

Great photo! 1904 Ford Model B.

The last one looks like a 1914-15 (and maybe later years, too) Maxwell.

We purchased the Auburn almost 3 years ago, and then restored it ourselves. The Paige, and a few other cars had to go. It would be fun to keep them all, but...well, you know.

Wayne and all- Yes, that's the Paige-Detroit we used to have. Such a great car. But it had to go to allow room for this one.... For us, a lot more useable.

I found it on Newspapers.com. Chris

I presume it is his car. The article says it is owned by Daniel Welsh.

Have you and Ross seen this? From the September 30, 1961 Windsor (Ontario) Star newspaper.

I'd say 1912 Oldsmobile Defender. Acetylene headlights but electric sidelights, built into the cowl. Also hidden hub bolts.

Old photos like this always intrigue me. They show the beginning of our hobby. Because all of these cars were being treated as collector cars in the late 30's or 40's, they are almost certainly still around today. What a great piece of history for the fortunate owner of one of these cars. Thanks for sharing.

Definitely an Oldsmobile, probably a 1908 Model X.

John Bloom-

There are two Jones automobiles existing in Wichita, Kansas.

1909 Garford.

Great photo, and neat family history. The car is a 1910 Oakland.

Actually the plate is a 1913 Illinois.

And one more… here’s our 1904 Sommer.

We've got a few orphans in the family collection. Here are our 1910 Auburn and 1911 Paige-Detroit. The Auburn photo is from a couple years ago, when we first acquired it. We're now getting close to completing the restoration. The P-D is a great original, unrestored car which runs well.

I put quite a few miles on our 1913 Little Giant at a top speed of about 18 MPH. With the back loaded with kids headed for ice cream, or hauling tables around a show field, it was an absolute blast!

It's a 1904 Autocar. The photo was taken in 1905 or later based on the license plate, which was used from 1905-1909.

Terry Bond is right - it's a 1913 Model T Ford. The only thing I can add is that it has a 1917 Illinois license plate on the front, meaning that's when the photo was taken.