This is a 1914 Detroit Electric automobile, which amazed me. Imagine if this model had been allowed to develop the way most cars have—what would electric cars be like today? And would LA’s air quality be the issue it is today? This vehicle was marketed as a women’s car because the tires were solid and therefore would never go flat. I’m sure that was a comfort to the two formally dressed ladies sitting inside this vehicle. However, we can see that this road has not get been sealed so the dirt street and the unforgiving tires must have made for a rather bumpy ride.

Susan says: “My mom told me when I was little, cars that had taller cab compartments had been a sign of status. That higher cab area allowed for ladies not to have to stoop and bend so much to get into the car. Also, it allowed men to keep their top hats on, and women’s hat adornments not to get bend when motoring around.”

Leslie Kendall from the Petersen Automotive Museum kindly sent me these two photos of the 1914 Detroit in their collection: