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[REV 25-NOV-2014]
Vintage photos of:
February 4, 1916. Washington, D.C. "Auto wreck at 14th & T," under a light dusting of snow and mold. Continuing the thread of vehicular mayhem we started earlier today. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.
They didn't have to go very far to hire a new car!
Its easy to see why the tire chain is only on the left front tire - the tire is bald! The rear tires still have tread, but trying to steer with a smooth front tire would be nearly impossible. Its also on the wheel which is attached directly to the steering gear.
Those beautiful side lamps can be salvaged. Amazing to read that clipping and realize that no one in either car was seriously injured.
From the Washington Evening Star, February 4, 1916:
Seems to be pretty much intact under the ugly red paint. The decorative facade is still visible. I'm not sure about the 3 stacked bowling balls and pin. I think I see them when I move in front of the building but it's hard to get a good view through the tree and shadows.
The tree huggers are going to raise Hell.
Auto safety glass was a *huge* advance - considering no seat belts, either.
Interesting that the chains are on the front wheels. In my early driving years, before snow tires, the chains on passenger cars went on the rear wheels, for propulsion. I do remember fire trucks and police cars with chains front and rear....
Weren't those cars rear wheel drive? Why put chains only on the front tires?
Two features about this wreck as well as the earlier one that scare me witless: the body torn right off the chassis (which, if wooden, disintegrates), and the shards of windshield glass.
there was a car rental place just a few steps away.
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