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Slippery Danger: 1924

"Flint auto in San Francisco, 1924." With the Ghirardelli Square clock tower keeping time for whatever conversation is taking place between the front seat and the back. 5x7 inch glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.

"Flint auto in San Francisco, 1924." With the Ghirardelli Square clock tower keeping time for whatever conversation is taking place between the front seat and the back. 5x7 inch glass negative by Christopher Helin. View full size.

 

On Shorpy:
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Scene from Bullitt

The famous car chase went down this street.

Bearing Grease?

Maybe not, 1924 specs hydraulic brakes front and rear-brake cylinders to activate the drum brakes. They were much less robust than the master cylinder was at pumping brake fluid. Older Chrysler products bear witness. Perhaps a drippy cylinder or seal?
Dicey in hilly SF.

Pole Spikes

The climbing spikes still exist on some lines, but usually the two or three lowest are removable (these are carried by the lineman) to keep well-meaning but otherwise clueless kids (as I was back then) from climbing up and getting hurt.

$50 Reward

Can anyone read the small print on the signpost regarding the reward? $50 was a large sum of money in 1924 - nearly $700 adjusted to today.

[Not pictured: smaller sign under this one labeled "$5 REWARD." - Dave]

Beautiful car

I love the mounts for the headlights. Looks like something you would find on a ship's searchlight. While looking at this photo I am holding a badge like the one on the front of the radiator on the car. Beautifully crafted in nickel plating and blue enamel. Keep these old car pictures coming. I love them.

Utility poll: Spikes or no spikes?

When I was a kid utility poles had climbing spikes as does the pole in this picture's background. Until now I hadn't thought about how these climbing steps seem to be missing these days. With the advent of the bucket truck I reckon they've mostly gone way of the buggy whip.

Thanks Dave for the nice jolt to the memory.

We need more traction

So why don't you sit in the back.

A striking car

My guess is that the car is a 1924 Flint. Flint was a part of Durant Motors, one of Billy Durant's failed enterprises after having been fired as CEO of General Motors three years earlier.

Looking at the marks on the inside of the right front tire, I'd say it's leaking grease from a bad wheel bearing seal.

Keep the Wyland Stanley photos coming - us gearheads out here love them.

Larkin Street

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