Shared Photo: Bourbon Breakdown

Question

I wanted to share this family photo of Virgil Miller with the community. Location: Somewhere outside of Hutchinson, Kansas. Date: 1915.  A 'brass era' automobile, which I think is a Maxwell, but not sure.  With many of these old autos, identification is difficult.  Nevertheless, my maternal grandfather (standing) and his buddies and cousin stopped outside of town for this photo op.  Kansas was the first state to prohibit the sale of "intoxicating liquors" in 1881.  Probibition lasted until 1948 in Kansas.  Grandpa Virgil was the manager of the Model Steam Cleaning company of Hutchinson.  I date this photo as c1915.  Photo was shared by his daughter, my Aunt.  Scott

Click here for the image details page or here for the full-sized version (1513 x 924).

Comments

Lots of characters in this great photo!

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For those of you that are interested in the make of this auto, I have heard from John M. Daly, member of Facebook antique car group and their members have concluded that my grandpa's old car was a 1909 4-cylinder Maxwell.  Their conclusion included "the radiator is definitely Maxwell and the front axle matches up with Maxwell.  The headlights have been modified and that is what was throwing things off.  Likely this picture was taken several years after the car was new, so things were changed during this time."

Thanks to all of you for your research.  Now I know my grandpa Virgil drove a 1909 Maxwell when he lived in Hutchinson, Kansas in the early 1900s.

Scott

Answer 1

I can’t find a pic of a Maxwell with the lights that high, but I haven’t seen all of them, I’m sure. It really is a great pic though. Who wouldn’t want to own a classic like this?!

Comments

Exactly!  I went thru every brass era photo on the internet and I couldn't find any with the lamps that high.  Oh well it is great to have the photo of his auto!  Thanks

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I’m still looking....

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Pip! Thanks!  However, look at the shape of the top of the radiator compared to the photo.  All of the runabouts have a definite slant on the top and the photo has a smooth curve.  Also I think the photo is a two-seater, since there were four of them in the party?  Keep looking!  Scott

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Darn! Back to it!

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A 1908 Packard Model 30?

A 1910 Atlas Model H?

A 1912 Garfield Six-Fifty?

http://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/1900.htm

I’m getting frustrated, but in a nice way. Takes my mind off of things (had a bad day).

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Hey Pip!  The Atlas was my first choice after I first got this photo!  However, I am not sure about the running lamps up near the driver.  In the photo they are square..the Atlas lamps are round.

There were several hundred early American defunct manufacturers..I have yet to look at all of them.  Here they are.  Early American Automobiles

You are closing in! Keep looking! lol

1.  head lamps - large round above fenders

2.  square  running lamps

3.  curved radiator top

4.  round horizontal acetylene tank on running board

5.  hand crank of course

Scott

Answer 2

Thank you for sharing this wonderful photo I just love that old car, must have been a treasure to own at the time.

Answer 3

Scott, what a great photo. For some reason, the first thing I thought of was Bonnie & Clyde. Love the way he is posing on the car. I don't think I have ever seen a Maxwell. I know I would have remembered the huge headlights.

Thanks for posting.

Excellent photo!

Comments

Thank you Cherl Hess!  I am in the middle of coloring this photo for the family..although I like the original.  During the Brass Era there were dozens of car makers in America.  As you know most of them went out of business.

Answer 4

Scott, the car is a 1911 Model T Open Runabout

http://modelt.ca/

Scroll down to see a side view (pic from the 1911 owner’s manual). The car in your pic has been modified: the lights don’t look original and sit higher.