What make and model shown in 1913 photo?

[Guest Wolf Fan]

Hello, I am new to this forum. At the link below, there is a vehicle visible on the left side of the image. It was taken shortly after the flood in Dayton, Ohio in 1913. Can anyone tell me what kind of car this is?

http://content.daytonmetrolibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/floodmcpf/id/412/rec/26

Another question from a newbie. Are there records of license plates for vehicles in Ohio from 1913? I can make out some of the numbers on the license plate in this image.

Thanks!

[Bleach]

Looks like it might be a Winton, perhaps a 1913 because of the electric headlamps. It's hard to distinguish makes of that era without seeing more detail if the front.

[nzcarnerd]

It is too small to be a Winton. The small rear brakes suggest it is quite light. There is little definition where the radiator would be. That along with the distinctive full elliptic rear springs, and the position of the side and head lights, make me wonder if it might be a Franklin - like this one - http://www.flickr.com/photos/carphotosbyrichard/8202887663/

[Guest Wolf Fan]

I'm not a car expert, but I noticed a couple of things. The rear fenders flare upwards at the ends. The canopy window has a diamond on it. The only car I have seen with diamond canopy window is a Maxwell, but the headlights don't match that era.

Are these unique aspects?

[Bleach]

NZ, I was thinking it was too small for a Winton as well. OTH, the hood is too square for a Frankiln and it doesn't appear to be sloping either.

Wolf, I was comparing it to a Maxwell compared but the hood is wrong for one.

[stexch]

What is the context of the picture? Why is a WWI-era soldier standing guard over a vacant lot in a city?

[slightmiss]

It looks like a 13 RCH to me. Not many cars came with a 5 bow top in 13.

[Bleach]

I see an exact match for an RCH. Good work!

[Guest Bill Miller]

Great old car with the diamond-shaped rear window and the square-ish engine compartment and ballooned top. There were literally hundreds of makes of cars back then but the shape of the front body around the motor makes me think it's a Winton. However the rear window doesn't seem right. An RCH is maybe a better call.

Edited September 19, 2013 by Bill Miller (see edit history)

[oldcarfudd]

It seems something collapsed under the foundation of that building. Look at the siding on the side wall. Maybe that's why there's an armed guard. I wonder whether a Google search on that address would come up with anything.

Good call on the RCH.

[Larry Schramm]

What is the context of the picture? Why is a WWI-era soldier standing guard over a vacant lot in a city?

If you look at the information below the picture, The reason that the soldier is there is because Dayton, Ohio had an extremely bad flood in 1913 and I am sure he is standing guard for looters. If you go to Dayton today you will see large earth retaining walls running through town along the river which were the correction for the flood of '13.

Edited September 22, 2013 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[Guest Wolf Fan]

It looks like a 13 RCH to me. Not many cars came with a 5 bow top in 13.

Yes, you figured it out! I looked high and low, but finally found a good picture that matches the car thanks to the RCH clue. It is a 1913 RCH touring that sold for $900.

http://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/americanautomobiles8b.htm

[Guest prs519]

Looks like the soldier is about to do a one-man firing squad number on a shifty stranger.