Hi! Can anyone help me identify the rectangular/oblong object that is displayed in this accessories showcase? I think it is a metal can/canister like item with two lids/valves and a leather handle. I've seen these items before, but I don't know what they are called. Thanks for your help!

[It's a battery. -tterrace]

THANK YOU! - SHSU

Calvin Coolidge brought his own 1923 Lincoln with him to the White House when he was elected President.

Attaching a photo of a 1923 Packard. Check the bumper.

[As noted in the caption, the car is a Lincoln, with LINCOLN on the radiator. The Biflex bumper was a popular accessory that fit many cars. - Dave]

I live in Falls Church. Do you have any additional clues as to where this was located?

["East Falls Church" is as specific as it gets, at least in the pages of the Washington Post. The proprietor was one Richard Lee Makely. - Dave]

On the right side of the parts area there are two items hanging on hooks. One looks like a giant tin can key opener and the other resembles a hand drill. I'm guessing both are used for changing spark plugs out.

These run about $2500.00

See the desk under the window -- that's where the salesman sits until he says, "That's such a low price I'm offering you, I'll have to check with my manager."

Where is the stack of wall calendars with scantly clad gals for each month?

Try as they may, in those 1920s showrooms they couldn't stop the cars from leaking oil or the customers from kicking the display cases.

What a great thing to have parked next to your desk!

Maybe genuine parts, but the car is not a ford. Not sure what brand it is, but someone will chime in.

[Or maybe someone will read the caption under the photo where it says the car is a Lincoln! - Dave]

According to an inflation calculator online, $16.50 in 1925 had the same buying power as $205.96 in 2010.

$16.50 for a battery? You could buy a new Model T for $300!

Well, maybe not New Old Stock, but New Stock! All those new parts on the shelves would probably bring pretty big money if you could transport them to today's eBay and auto parts swap meets.

That's also a pretty pricey new battery for 1925. That could be around $200 in today's money depending on what calculation you use.

That parts department is chock full of desirable parts, especially that model T radiator with the winter front shutters. Probably brass.

Just today I visited the parts department of our local Ford dealer (Auto Plaza), and other than the old car and fresher parts, the scene is still the same. I'm going to print this and give it to the manager of the parts department. Thanks for a glimpse of what it would be like if I went there in the '20s.

According to the great Google's results, the Ford Weekly Purchase essentially let you prepay for a car, quite the opposite of financing these days!

http://newspapers.rawson.lib.mi.us/chronicle/ccc1923%20%28E%29/issues/04...

Also, it seems that a genuine Ford battery would run you over $200 in 2009, that seems a bit steep to me...