# ID this antique car **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291 "2019-12-03T00:30:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/1 "2019-12-03T00:30:18Z")
A friend of mine sent me [this image](https://i.imgur.com/eSwmjDD.jpg) of his grandfather (2nd from right) on a trip to the west coast in 1923. We’re trying to identify the car in the photo and I’m turning to you knowledgeable people for help. I don’t know much about antique cars but I’m pretty sure it’s not a Model T. The radiator and hood don’t look right. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/2 "2019-12-03T00:45:10Z")
A Cadillac maybe? Google 1923 Cadillac and compare pics. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/3 "2019-12-03T00:58:47Z")
[Looks like a 21 Buick.](http://momentcar.com/images/buick-model-45-1921-8.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/4 "2019-12-03T01:00:44Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > A Cadillac maybe? Google 1923 Cadillac and compare pics. That looks really close, with a few differences. On the Cadillac, where the windshield meets the hood it is curved to match the contour of the hood. On the mystery car the windshield is squared off at the bottom. The storage box on the driver’s side running board doesn’t help; I can’t tell if it’s a two-door or a four-door. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/5 "2019-12-03T01:01:03Z")
Definitely not a Model T. My guess is a 1920-ish Buick Touring Car. ETA: Damn ninjas. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/6 "2019-12-03T01:02:31Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > [Looks like a 21 Buick.](http://momentcar.com/images/buick-model-45-1921-8.jpg) I think that’s it! The rod connecting the headlights is higher up, just like the mystery car. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/7 "2019-12-03T01:14:07Z")
Yep, im changing my answer to Buick. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/8 "2019-12-03T01:18:29Z")
Everything I can see is a perfect match. Thanks, **Just Asking Questions** ( and **ecg** and **snfaulkner** too). I’ll bet that trip was quite an adventure, from Ft. Wayne IN to the west coast. ---
**Author:** ![Ficer67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Ficer67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ficer67)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/9 "2019-12-03T01:32:52Z")
I don’t know, but you might want to ask this question of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. If anyone would know, they would. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/10 "2019-12-03T01:50:14Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > I don’t know, but you might want to ask this question of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. If anyone would know, they would. Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m convinced it’s a '21 Buick. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/11 "2019-12-03T02:16:15Z")
I don’t think that you can narrow it down to exactly 1921. They made a very similar car for several years. That’s why I said 1920-ish. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/12 "2019-12-03T02:27:20Z")
Well, I _was_ convinced it was a '21 Buick! Looks like they made that style from [1920-1929](https://american-automobiles.com/buick-1920-1929/). So it could be a 1920, 1921, 1922 or 1923. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/13 "2019-12-03T13:14:45Z")
Got a follow-up email from my friend with [another photo](https://i.imgur.com/0fCPHsk.jpg). He said his grandfather kept a written journal which is now in his sister’s possession. Apparently they made it all the way to California and up into Canada. His grandfather said that they took turns cooking and anyone that complained about the food got the next turn. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/14 "2019-12-03T13:45:38Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > Got a follow-up email from my friend with [another photo](https://i.imgur.com/0fCPHsk.jpg). He said his grandfather kept a written journal which is now in his sister’s possession. Apparently they made it all the way to California and up into Canada. His grandfather said that they took turns cooking and anyone that complained about the food got the next turn. As awful a way of deciding who has to cook that is, I’d love to read that journal. The trip must’ve been quite a feat in those days. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/15 "2019-12-03T13:55:59Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > …they took turns cooking and anyone that complained about the food got the next turn. “This tastes like moose shit, but it’s good!” ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/16 "2019-12-03T14:11:15Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > “This tastes like moose shit, but it’s good!” “Best moose shit I’ve had since… breakfast!” ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/17 "2019-12-03T14:29:52Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > As awful a way of deciding who has to cook that is, I’d love to read that journal. The trip must’ve been quite a feat in those days. I couldn’t agree more, that journal must be very interesting. One thing caught my eye- in the first photo there are four guys relaxing by the car. A fifth guy could have taken the picture, but in the second photo there are three guys in the car. It doesn’t look like there’s room for a fifth guy. So who took the first picture? Did the camera have a self-timer? [I started a new thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=886249) to find out when self-timers were invented. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/18 "2019-12-03T15:33:41Z")
> [@Ficer67](#): > > I don’t know, but you might want to ask this question of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. If anyone would know, they would. Um… why? The Ford museum doesn’t even have a particularly large collection of automobiles. It’s a general interest museum. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-antique-car/844291/19 "2019-12-03T15:38:44Z")
I’m guessing from the second photo that car tires didn’t last very long in those days. 🙂