28 Chrysler Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 From Hemmings, 1918 Ford TT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varun Coutinho Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 On 8/23/2019 at 1:22 AM, Terry Bond said: Among my collection of early photos there are darned few showing side curtains attached. I recently acquired this neat photo of an early car (what is it?) with side curtains on. Obviously, it must be ready for a drive in the winter months, judging by the bear-skin coat worn by the driver/owner. I'm wondering if the side-curtains were home-made or purchased from an auto supply source as I don't believe many auto manufacturers of this era sold the with the cars. Does anyone have any info on the car itself, or are there other early auto photos out there showing side-curtains in place? Terry 1905 Autocar 16-20Hp Type XI Side-Entrance Tonneau Wheelbase : 96 inches Manufacturer : 1901 - 1911 The Autocar Co. - Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) A more close-up photo of this V8 Chevrolet. Edited February 27, 2023 by 8E45E (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Our 1915 Model T Touring had full curtains and only once did I drive it in thr rain to a show in Glulport Florida. There were 3 of us in the car and the windows fogged up so bad that I had to take the my curtain down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 15 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said: Our 1915 Model T Touring had full curtains and only once did I drive it in thr rain to a show in Glulport Florida. There were 3 of us in the car and the windows fogged up so bad that I had to take the my curtain down. We had our 1948 MGTC on a tour a couple of years ago and put up the side-curtains in a brief storm - quickly pulled over and took them off-same thing! It quickly fogged up inside so bad you couldn't see anything! The solution-drive faster and the rain blows right away! Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kelso Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Isn't anyone going to mention an over abundance of hot air in a confined space?😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Side curtains were apparently standard equipment on some cars, but optional accessories on others. When judging, we ask to see the curtains, although not necessarily installed. If a car has the attaching devices, the they should be presented, but if no such hardware is on the vehicle, then the car was not penalized. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) In 2000, my wife and I drove our 1912 Model T touring car 240 miles from Rhinebeck, NY to Stowe, VT to go to the show in August. We hit rain in Chatham, NY and it poured all the way to Rutland, VT. Never used the side curtains, never got wet. Don't need no stinkin' side curtains... Frank Edited February 27, 2023 by oldford (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 On the 2001 Glidden Tour is was sunny when we got there an sunny when we departed, but the whole week was rain & 43 degrees. 4 of us in the 34 Ford Phaeton used the side curtains every day, didn't see much! That trip and the 1999 Glidden tour in the Shendoah Valley where it also rained a lot, ended our use of the Phaeton on long tours. When we emerged from the depths of the the Luray Caverns, it was pouring rain and there sat my Phaeton alone in the big parking lot with the side curtains behind the back seat. I put them on and got soaked to the bone, we car literally car pooled back to Staunton. I was lucky to not get a cold on top of that. Since 2001 we use only closed sedans for tours, for two reasons. # 1 is roll up windows, # 2 is doors that lock. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 On the 2001 Glidden Tour is was sunny when we got there an sunny when we departed, but the whole week was rain & 43 degrees. 4 of us in the 34 Ford Phaeton used the side curtains every day, didn't see much! That trip and the 1999 Glidden tour in the Shendoah Valley where it also rained a lot, ended our use of the Phaeton on long tours. When we emerged from the depths of the the Luray Caverns, it was pouring rain and there sat my Phaeton alone in the big parking lot with the side curtains behind the back seat. I put them on and got soaked to the bone, we car literally car pooled back to Staunton. I was lucky to not get a cold on top of that. Since 2001 we use only closed sedans for tours, for two reasons. # 1 is roll up windows, # 2 is doors that lock. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 A 1921 Model T touring car that was owned for many years by two different good friends usually had its side curtains up on the car! I rode in (and sometimes drove) that car for many many miles with the side curtains on it. I enjoyed them that way. For many years, the 1915 Studebaker touring car I had I kept the side curtains on it most of the time. Usually, if the top was up, the curtains were on it. If the curtains weren't on it, it was because the top was down. I liked it that way, and never had trouble with fogging when using the side curtains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Shifter Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 On 8/22/2019 at 6:32 PM, Guest said: My Grand parents always used their 1917 Model T Ford until after our Thanksgiving weekend. Second weekend in October. They used to put a large rock in the oven of the cook stove for several days before they left for the farm. Wrapped in a blanket it kept their three children warm in the back seat with the side curtains installed. One hundred twenty miles from Winnipeg to the farm. Same story told by my mother many times. Location was Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, except no side curtains, or top. Just a pile of heavy blankets. Warmed rocks also kept feet warm in bed all night. Watering livestock and chickens was another challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Jiffy Curtains for a Studebaker: Among my souvenirs #12 (Jiffy Curtains) - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 It seems that most of the guys here use their side curtains today when it rains. What is the original intent of these? I would surmise that the main purpose was a bit of enclosure during colder months? I would bet that in the day a driver would not carry these around during warm months 'just because'. If they got caught in the rain then so be it. This is purely my speculation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 2 minutes ago, TAKerry said: It seems that most of the guys here use their side curtains today when it rains. What is the original intent of these? I would surmise that the main purpose was a bit of enclosure during colder months? I would bet that in the day a driver would not carry these around during warm months 'just because'. If they got caught in the rain then so be it. This is purely my speculation. I would suspect so. Considering New York City was running double-decker buses with an open top deck at the time, passengers were prepared with warm clothing and blankets, should they be forced to ride up top. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp1gt Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Did all the 29 Cadillac's have spots in the body for side curtain rods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldford Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 My 22 Reo has a compartment behind the rear backrest to store the side curtains. There is a flap at the top secured with lift-a-dots that goes all across the top of the backrest. The side curtains can be stored there without folding. Nice idea and I can use the area under the seat for tools... Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 59 minutes ago, oldford said: My 22 Reo has a compartment behind the rear backrest to store the side curtains. There is a flap at the top secured with lift-a-dots that goes all across the top of the backrest. The side curtains can be stored there without folding. Nice idea and I can use the area under the seat for tools... Frank I had a bag made for the side curtains behind the rear seat, to keep them clean and ready for foul weather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWN Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 My 1922 Chandler Royal Dispatch with its original curtains installed. Haven't driven with them yet. They are in pretty good shape except the "glass" is yellowed and one pane is cracked. Peter 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozierman Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 Our 1913 Lozier Montclair touring has its original side curtains. Here is a picture of it with the side curtains in place on one side. This was at a concurs held at the Lemay Museum in Tacoma WA a few years ago. The side curtains were made by Jiffy and there is an original patch showing the patent date in 1912. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playswithbrass Posted February 28, 2023 Share Posted February 28, 2023 We think these are original on the 1908 Buick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 20 hours ago, PWN said: My 1922 Chandler Royal Dispatch with its original curtains installed. Haven't driven with them yet. They are in pretty good shape except the "glass" is yellowed and one pane is cracked. Peter Tinted windows!! 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC38dls Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 And air conditioning! dave s 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Wiegand Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) I have been following this discussion about side curtains with much interest. We finished the restoration of our 1916 Buick last July. This car has been in my family for going on 60 years. When my Dad bought the car it had just two of the original curtains with it. I had Gary Martin of Goldfield Trim and Upholstery redo the upholstery and make the new top for the car. I have a friend out in New Jersey who also has a 1916 D-45. His car has the original top and the complete set of side curtains. He loaned the curtains to Gary so that a new set could be made for our car. We even had the original curtain 'tags' replicated as you see in the photos. When it comes to using these curtains on the car, we have an interesting story to relate. We had the car on the Red Flag Tour in Southeast Iowa last September. The early mornings in late September up there can get real chilly right quick. When we left Saturday morning for the last leg of the tour it was 41 degrees and I am here to tell you that 30-35 miles per hour had us freezing our backsides. We left the front two curtains off so that hand signals were easier and visibility was vastly improved. When it was all said and done, we sure wished that we had put them in. They made a huge difference in the comfort of everyone. Those wind wings are also a period accessory that are worth a lot when it comes to comfort in one of these open automobiles. The curtains are stored in the top when not in use. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas AACA Life Member #947918 Edited March 1, 2023 by Terry Wiegand GRAMMAR (see edit history) 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29 Chandler Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 Here's a 398 mile 1910 EMF just driven home from the factory. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cudaman Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) Daryl Kemerer sent me these period illustrations of the side curtains on a 1911/1912 Flanders 20 runabout. I plan to use them to make curtains for my 1912 some day. Edited March 3, 2023 by cudaman pics were upside down at first, fixed spelling of Kemerer (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 THAT is one great looking set of side curtains on that runabout! This thread is making me feel the need! Guess if I ever can get the top done for my 1915 T model Ford I will have to go the extra mile, and get or make side curtains for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 On 2/27/2023 at 10:18 AM, JAK said: Isn't anyone going to mention an over abundance of hot air in a confined space?😉 Good point!! How does one order a Wendy's Chili at the drive thru, and pass it through a lowered side curtain??!? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cxgvd Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 My 1915 McLaughlin is the first car newest enough for side curtains. It came with these as photographed when I acquired the project. The car today, in blue, I have material for the curtains, just have to get at it sometime. Regards, Gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 From the 1909-1912 Sears Motor Buggy catalog reprint: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcticbuicks Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 The side curtain windows must be the earliest use of plastic on any car .......if they are really plastic ?.........just asking as i have never seen many Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 2 hours ago, arcticbuicks said: The side curtain windows must be the earliest use of plastic on any car .......if they are really plastic ?.........just asking as i have never seen many Early ones were celluloid, same product movie film was made from, which is extremely flammable. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 (edited) On 2/28/2023 at 8:19 AM, TAKerry said: It seems that most of the guys here use their side curtains today when it rains. What is the original intent of these? I would surmise that the main purpose was a bit of enclosure during colder months? I would bet that in the day a driver would not carry these around during warm months 'just because'. If they got caught in the rain then so be it. This is purely my speculation. I spoke to an old-timer around the year 2000. He said that, by the time it began raining and they got the side-curtains installed, they were already wet! That implies that side-curtains were indeed used in warm weather, and for rain. I appreciate talking to people who were around in past times, since history was real life to them. Edited March 3, 2023 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 I have seen "California tops" from the late 1910's or early 1920's, which were shaped like touring-car tops, but fixed in place and rigid. The side curtains were pulled down like roller shades. Can anyone tell us more about those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Bond Posted March 3, 2023 Author Share Posted March 3, 2023 51 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said: I spoke to an old-timer around the year 2000. He said that, by the time it began raining and they got the side-curtains installed, they were already wet! Not just old timers John, Many times on am MG club tour we've encountered sudden pop-up downpours. The usually hardy "top always down" folks are pretty quick to pull over and get their tops up, but just like the "good old days" some assembly is usually required. That's we love our MGBGT. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 On 3/1/2023 at 11:29 AM, Terry Wiegand said: Those wind wings are also a period accessory that are worth a lot when it comes to comfort in one of these open automobiles. I agree totally . I have a pair of wind wings on my Packard touring car at the windshield and also on the tonneau windshield mounted to the back of the front seat They make a huge difference in comfort and are not just there for "looks" or to be fancy nor see how many accessories you can pile on a period car. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 Do the wind wings help to protect from rain, as well as wind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 15 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said: Do the wind wings help to protect from rain, as well as wind? About as much as a too small umbrella! But yes, they do help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3makes Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 (edited) To the immediately shown poster, properly sized, adjusted and fit wind wings help tremendously in rain storms. Edited March 3, 2023 by 3makes corrected wording (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Wiegand Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 arcticbuicks asked about the clear material used in the side curtain windows. It was not plastic and it was not isinglass. It was celluloid and I am afraid to make any comment(s) about just how durable this stuff was back in the day. Someone asked about how the wind wings would fare when driving in the rain. Back in the day if a person was caught in the rain in one of these open cars and was fortunate enough to have the top up but did not have the curtains in place, I would imagine if they were traveling along at say 30 miles per hour, it would be almost like going through the car wash in a 4-door sedan with all the windows rolled down. I don't think the wind wings would have been a whole lot of help in the rain. It is not hard at all to see how closed body automobiles caught on with great success. They were a much better deal all throughout the year. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas AACA Life Member #947918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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