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Washington, D.C., circa 1926. "Ford Motor Co. (cars parked at Robey Motor Co.)" A lot of interesting details here. National Photo glass negative. View full size.
The first car on the left is a circa 1918 Paige Touring (Model 6-55 or maybe 6-51).
I'm a professional mechanic, having been so for longer than I can remember. My specialty is check engine lights, driveability issues and no-starts. I doubt there is an OBDII connector under the dash of any of these vehicles to assist me in diagnosing a stumble or miss.
Back in the day, valve grinds were done every 15K miles and engines were overhauled several times before they hit the 60K mark. And working outside without a rack? I've got it SO easy compared to back then.
I could have sworn that was a guy -- oh well. Maybe I will find something hidden in the next one. Love these shots of old D.C. Dave. Thanks, keep em comin'.
Is that an empty flask on the car to the right?
[Urp. - Dave]
Okay, my best guess for the building on the left is Staughtone's School - but I can only find references on the internet to Staughton.
[The lettering over the door says St. Augustine's School. Probably a parish school -- St. Augustine's Catholic Church was across the street at 1118 15th. - Dave]
Building on left: 1121 WHAT? What school?
[St. Augustine's School. My guess would be 1121 15th Street N.W. Robey Motor, at 1429 L, would be to the right down the alleyway in back. An alley that still exists, btw. It extends to the left, comes out on 15th, crosses the street and goes past the Washington Post and Russian Legation out to 16th. A few years ago I parked in a garage just out of the frame to the left (if this is where I think it is). The alleys off Vermont Avenue and L Street were my secret backdoor during rush hour. - Dave]
There is a fellow with a tie in the far background, upper left side, looking out the window.
[Those are rags or newspapers covering a broken window. - Dave]
There's also a guy behind the Louise Home Market truck.
Top left? There is nobody top left, with or without a tie. There's a guy in the middle of the picture next to the tow truck, smoking a pipe and wearing an old jacket.
I didn't even see the guy top right. I was referring to the guy in shirt and tie, top rear left.
Is that the Wolfman peering out of the window at upper right?
For some reason I keep hearing that old song "Somebody's Watching Me."
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