1904 New York New York electric tour busses

from http://www.shorpy.com/node/8314?size=_original

1904 Cadillac Model B runabout with cool rear tire mountable tread covers

From the commentor KCMORon on http://www.shorpy.com/node/8316?size=_original : It's my speculation that the covers were more than just variations of tread design, they were an extra layer pf protection from sharp rocks (no pavement) and the frequent flats were a fact of life, that's why there were 2 spare tires

They appear to be "Billet" detachable tire protectors with "contre envelope" attachments or similar. ("The Horseless Age" Volume 15, January 4, 1905)

The "tread" part has flaps which extend over the sidewall on both sides and hold a wire extending around the circumference and fasten (tighten) in two places with a screw and nut.

At that time here were many types of tire protectors of various designs and attachment schemes. Some also claimed to improve traction.

It's my speculation that the covers were more than just variations of tread design, they were an extra layer pf protection from sharp rocks (no pavement) and the frequent flats were a fact of life, that's why there were 2 spare tires

1906 Altantic City boardwalk stollers, for kids vs adults

from Shorpy, though the images have nothing to do with each other... I made the connection while looking through and saving the images I find interesting

Spitzler's Auto Supply with curbside gas pumps

From Shorpy

The Harlem River Speedway in 1902 (not a motorcar racetrack) was a carriage route, I'd love to drive along it (proabably doesn't exist anymore)

Black and white from Shorpy, the color images are postcards from http://www.coffeedrome.com/bobspeed.html

1922 Dodge touring in the Washington DC Fire Department

This is a 1922 Dodge Touring Car, DCFD Serial No. 05, assigned to the Superintendent of Machinery. The DCFD Repair Shop is in the background next to Engine Co. 8 quarters. The American LaFrance in one of Engine 8's apparatus bays may be a 1920 750 gpm pumper DCFD Serial No. 125 which was assigned to Engine 8

From Shorpy

1920 Penn Oil fuel station with " Lightning Motor Fuel " !.. I want me some of that!

from Shorpy

the 5th Avenue Stage in 1900, just a year or two before the horses became obsolete

You wouldn't see these magnificent (if dangerous) horse carriages galloping up and down Fifth Avenue much longer at the time this photo was taken. 1900 was the year that the NY State Senate approved a bill allowing the Fifth Avenue Stage to run automobiles along the length of its newly-extended route.

By 1903, the horse carriages had been retired for "motor buses."

This was a relief to the residents of the apartment blocks near the "big stable" of the Fifth Avenue Stage located uptown. The stables took up the whole block between 88th and 89th Streets, were four stories tall, and housed over 250 horses. Its neighbors were continually filing complaints with the city because of the "noxious odors", as well as perpetual stamping and neighing of horses in their stalls, which made sleep impossible.

Commentary by Louise on http://www.shorpy.com/node/8588?size=_original

The Thew model O steam shovel from about 1898, self propelled and steered (all others were limited to working from railroads)

Above from Shorpy

The color photos and write up are from http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/aff/8/aft/111626/afv/topic/Default.aspx

Back in the 1890s, Thew, captain of an ore-carrying boat on the Great Lakes, often encountered the problem of handling iron ore once it was deposited on the docks. At that time, such work was done with "railroad-type" steam shovels that traveled on railroad tracks. They were heavy, cumbersome, and could only swing their booms from side to side in a half-circle. Much hand work was required to clean areas beyond the shovel's reach and also to frequently reposition the railroad tracks.

Captain Thew studied these problems of ore handling and conceived a unique machine that would overcome the former difficulties and restrictions. With the help of H.H. Harris, an experienced shovel designer, Thew built his first machine at the Variety Iron Works in Cleveland in 1895. His machine was a fully revolving steam excavator with a 5/8-cubic-yard shovel attachment that could swing in a full circle, the first with this capability built in America. To add even more flexibility, he mounted the machine on four steel traction wheels, which could steer and propel itself without the need for labor-intensive rail tracks. Now able to travel without restriction, the shovel was able to perform any loading or cleanup work over the entire dock property, doing away with most of the hand labor

Harbor Springs, Michigan, circa 1906. "Excursion logging train." The smallest train I can recall seeing

via: http://www.shorpy.com/node/7786 from finding it http://roughingitblog.tumblr.com/page/5

Nik finds cool stuff, that is what he does

the original is bigger and I cropped out a telephone pole, but just look at the abandoned gas station, in 1937. Ain't that just Hank Williams "So lonely I could die" lonely? Via: http://carrosantigos.wordpress.com/ who found it on Shorpy... awesome website of old photographs.

Dear Santa, I know where you can find my xmas presents

Here are close ups, the full image is last, and even bigger after the link

Via http://www.shorpy.com/node/4068?size=_original

Perfect girlfriend material

These have to be from Shorpy originally, but I found them at http://zelastchancegaragedu78.blogspot.com/

Automotive pictures from Shorpy

Vanderbilt's Belmont Park four-in-hand passing the Holland House Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York 1905

1917 Detroit

Traffic congestion at a 1918 war bond drive in Washington DC

This Winton was wrecked by Congressman never-heard-of-him-before, in 1920

1920 Washington DC

1924 photo of Lincoln hearse

1926 paint booth

1926 service station

1928 Takoma Park Maryland

This is a Cunningham automobile, and was used as a private ambulance by a coroner

1927 four wheel drive auto company dumptruck

1927 four wheel drive auto company

Via: http://www.shorpy.com/

If you like this type of old car photos, look through the rest of the best vehicle photos from Shorpy: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/Shorpy

Barney Oldfield tires

1921 and great billboard above the store

1919 Washington DC

Via: http://www.shorpy.com/

Trains from 1900 and before

1880's to 1890's in Mexico

Florida 1897

1900 (about) in New Orleans

1900 the Detroit river and a car ferry moving a train

Via: http://www.shorpy.com/

The Allen Car Co, lasted 8 years

Formed in 1913 the Allen cars had high quality, which resulted in high prices. The company originated in Fostoria Ohio, but in 1919 it was sold to a Columbus consortium and it died in 1921. http://www.shorpy.com/

Cool airplane photos to share with you from Shorpy and Pixdaus

Above, 1942 B-25's

Above Hawker Nimrod

http://pixdaus.com/ and http://www.shorpy.com/

Street cars getting a second life as a home, very cool

Via: http://www.shorpy.com/

and if you also find this cool, take a look at the ones that Randy showed me here in San Diego http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/survivors-of-era-i-doubt-anyone-else.html