The sign in the window also reads "Fordson". They sold Fordson tractors as well

Model T's had no dipstick. To check the engine oil you leaned under the car and opened a petcock, if oil ran out you were good to go. No drip, you neeed to put some in.

A few drips of oil back then was looked upon as better than the 24 pounds a day of manure from the horse the T replaced.

Actually, that was the latest innovation in wheels at the time: they were called demountable rims. When you had a flat tire, you merely unbolted the rims and pulled it with the tire, replacing it with the one you carried behind the car, pretty much as we do today. Before that, it was expected from the user to know how to fix a punctured tube right on the spot.

Of course the spare wheel and its corresponding innertube were extras, not included in the extraordinarily low price of the Model T.

Actually, omitting anything to do with the car itself, the high-tech award should go either to the phone box on the baseboard on the left, or to the clock/timer thingy above the left corner of the window that sjmills pointed out. As to the latter, is it merely a clock, or a timing device? Rather poor design for a clock, as it's difficult to see if there are any hands. If a timer, is it for the lights as suggested, or maybe a burglar alarm? There appear to be thick black cables coming from the bottom of the case, and there's a round gizmo on the wall immediately below it, although that may be a light fixture.

The most modern piece of equipment in this picture is the metal file cabinet, which has not been improved upon since.

The name Lincoln appears in the front window, just ahead of the larger Ford script. The dealership's name and address are unrelated to the name Lincoln and Lincoln cars have seldom been sold by Ford dealers. Does anyone know the actual significance of the Lincoln name on this window?

[The obvious answer might be that they sold Lincolns and Fords. Ford owned Lincoln; there were lots of Ford-Lincoln dealerships. Below are two more examples from the Washington area. - Dave]

This showroom is a very far cry from today´s glass and aluminum dealerships! looks like the backstore of the neighbourhood's blacksmith; but it's really interesting to see how the Flivvers were displayed back in the day.

By the way, notice the little stains on the floor; I know that Model T's were "supposed" to leak some oil from time to time, but jeez, these were new cars!

Nice photo as always.

Note the mission (or "arts and crafts") style chairs. This furniture was a bit out of fashion in the home by this date, though obviously still considered to be fine for this commercial setting.

Everything from under the wheel wells on the dark side, to what's outside the window. Those days (in one shot, anyway) are gone, I guess.

Is that a timer to turn on the lighted signage?

Not a tire, not a wheel, just a rim.... now that's some early work in changing tires!

Contrast this bare bones showroom with the slick extravaganza at todays Auto Mall. The earnest fellow with immaculately-oiled hair and a straw skimmer on his desk trying to sell you sisal floormats and a manifold heater might have been just as skeevy as todays Herb Tarlek Jr. pitching undercoating, but when he ducked into the back room he really was talking to the manager.

Washington Post Oct 9, 1921

Another Ford Agency

Strobel Motor Company Added to List of Dealers

To sell Fords at retail, E.T. Strobel has organized the Strobel Motor Company, and opened a sale and service station at 1425 Irving street northwest.

To the Ford automobile, Mr. Strobel is no stranger, having for twelve years been a superintendent of assembly for the factory, and the first to supervise the assembly of Ford cars in the Washington plant on Pennsylvania avenue. After severing his connection with the company, he accepted a position with the R.L. Taylor Motor Company, Ford dealers, as superintendent, which position he occupied until engaging in business for himself.

In his new quarters he has ample room to render service on Ford cars, there being 17,000 square feet available. The shop is equipped with all the latest time-saving machinery, including equipment for rebabbitting bearings and reboring cylinders.

Update: Mr. Strobel's business venture lasted for a few years but eventually dwindled. The October 9, 1927 Washington Post reports that the space at 1425 Irving street being used as the service department for I.C. Barber Motor Co.