I lived in Colorado Springs for 5 years and drove up the peak annually. Being that the picture was taken at just over 11,000' they have already climbed roughly 4,000' from Manitou Springs, and they have another 3,000' to go to reach the summit.

I note that the engine cowling is raised and I suspect this was probably a planned stop to aid in keeping the engine cool on the way up.

As an aside, I found the trip up to the summit of Mount Evans near Idaho Springs a more exciting climb! It is advertised as the highest paved road in North America.

The road was built to directly compete with Pikes Peak for tourist dollars. It is not an accident that the parking area of Mt Evans is 20' higher than the Pikes Peak Summit. The peak summits are within 150' in height of each other, but Mt Evans is slightly taller.

"At the turn of the last century, Colorado Springs and Denver were in a race for the hearts and minds (not to mention dollars) of the eastern tourist. In 1888, the Cascade and Pikes Peak Toll Road Company completed a 16-mile road up the north side of Pikes Peak. This became a major tourist attraction, drawing tourists away from Denver Area. Not to be outdone, Denver's Mayor Peer proposed that a road be constructed to the top of Mount Evans. In 1917, he procured state funds to build the road. It was completed in 1927."

The Cadillac is actually a 1928 model. The parking lights mounted on the cowl are the primary detail that instantly differentiates it from the following year. In 1929 these lights were scaled-down and moved to the top of the front fenders.

The Cadillac shown looks like the Custom Fleetwood Imperial for Five Passengers. The molding above the windows that ends abruptly just after the rearmost window is not seen on the regular Five-Passenger Imperial. The Custom Fleetwood version was more luxuriously appointed including satin-inlaid hardware which was two-tone gold with bright edging. There were two occasional seats in the rear compartment. The Custom Fleetwood cost $4,245 while the Five-Passenger Imperial was $50 less.

Cadillac offered more than 50 body styles in 1928 along with over 500 color combinations. The marque's luxury image was enhanced by eliminating both the 132 and 138 inch wheelbases and standardizing on one of 140 inches. The V-8 engine was tweaked, and it now produced 90 horsepower (up from 87). Cadillac manufactured 56,038 automobiles in 1928 - including 16,038 LaSalles. It would be their best year of production until 1941.

In 1891, the US Board on Geographic Names recommended against the use of apostrophes, and in 1978 the Colorado state legislature passed a law requiring the use of Pikes Peak. However there are still 5 places in the States with apostrophes in their name.

[Zebulon Pike would probably have something to say about that. - Dave]

What are those matching outfits with the flared legs? They look like a cross between a cowboy costume and a basketball warm-up suit.

[Here's some women's casual wear of the 1930s. -tterrace]

For many years, the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs maintained a fleet of Pierce-Arrows (first modified limousines, then buses) for just such touristic service. Those were later replaced by a number of stretch Cadillacs, some with Plexiglas roofs.

Having driven the route a number of times, I must say that the dirt portions could be challenging, and when most of the route was unpaved, such buses and limos must have seemed an attractive alternative to the private car to drivers from the flatlands ... and to their potential passengers as well.

I remember being driven up Pikes Peak in 1960 in a 1953 Cadillac fitted with a specially fitted low-geared 3-speed transmission. We ground up to the top because my mother did not want to drive our 1956 Pontiac, loaded with me, my two sisters, my aunt, and my cousin, up there. I remember some concern as to the cost, but I (at 12) thought the Cadillac option was really neat.

I've never seen a car roof like that: it's obvious that it can be rolled back, or closed using the prongs around its periphery, but is that factory standard or custom?

[This appears to be a tourist service in operation, providing sightseeing tours in the old 7-9 passenger sedan as well as a souvenir photo. As we've seen recently, solid metal car roofs hadn't arrived yet, but to me this adaptation has a rather do-it-yourself look to it. -tterrace]

remarked Captain Obvious.

A well worn 1929 Cadillac and a circa 1925 Pierce Arrow, at the rear

What a great idea to make the car's hood ornament in the shape of a man with a straw hat!