Laundaulet and Town Car

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Thorlick
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Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by Thorlick » Thu Jul 02, 2020 12:07 pm

I was floored by the photo just posted by Dan Treace. It is from the Grand Central Auto Show, NYC, Jan. 6, 1909 and the line-up of new Fords. It clearly shows three of my favorite body styles: Town Car ($1,000), Runabout ($825) and Laundaulet ($950). My favorite is the Laundaulet.

I have reposted Dan's photo as I almost never see a photo of a real Ford Laundaulet, they are sometimes reproductions presented as originals. These cars are rare... how rare?... in 1909 model year there were 298 Laundaulets and in 1910 there were 2. Total production 300!

If you had the extra $175 you could upgrade from runabout to Town Car. Following the theme of a car the masses could afford, those who couldn't afford the $175 could get the Laundaulet for just $125 over the Runabout. With $50 separating the Town Car and the Laundaulet I guess it is a no brainer why they dropped the Laundaulet. I think I would be more than willing to spend the $125 today!

Click link below for larger photo
Click link below for larger photo
1909CarShow.jpg (78.91 KiB) Viewed 4337 times

download/file.php?id=59339&mode=view

TH
Terry Horlick, Penn Valley, CA
1927 Mountain Patrol Vehicle from the Los Angeles City Fire Department (L.A.F.D.)
1912 Model T Ford English Station Omnibus


Rich Bingham
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by Rich Bingham » Thu Jul 02, 2020 4:44 pm

It’s interesting to put it all in perspective. If an on-line inflation calculator is to be believed, the runabout cost $21,366.00. In today’s dollars, and you’d have to spend an additional $4,300.00 to upgrade to the Laundaulet. The runabout price of $825.00 was over two years’ wages for a working stiff. When the Model T hit the bricks in ‘09, it was still very much a rich man’s toy. No wonder Henry was so relentless in reducing the price of the car. Also, it’s well to keep in mind that the advertised prices were always F. O. B. Detroit. Freight and dealer preparation would add more to the price depending on where you lived.

Really amazing to think that by 1925, the price of the runabout had been pared down to $ 3,880.00 in today’s dollars.
"Get a horse !"

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John E. Guitar
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by John E. Guitar » Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:56 pm

Grand Central Auto Show 5.jpg
Grand Central Auto Show 3.jpg
Grand Central Auto Show 2.jpg
Grand Central Auto Show 1.jpg
Grand Central Auto Show entrance.jpg


Rich Bingham
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by Rich Bingham » Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:08 pm

Wonderful pictures ! Thank you !! :D
"Get a horse !"


Drkbp
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by Drkbp » Thu Jul 02, 2020 9:54 pm

At this show, the 1909 Coupe is sitting in the corner next to the column.
The horn on the coupe is located on the passenger side.
It has E&J three tier side lights and headlights like the others.
Rare one.
Attachments
1909 COUPE-JAN 1909.JPG

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TWrenn
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by TWrenn » Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:14 am

THEY knew how to REALLY put on an auto show, didn't they? :lol: :D

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GEmering
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by GEmering » Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:31 am

Yes they did!
What eye candy.
What is the make and model of the big car (bottom left) in the photo marked C16170?
I like it!

Gene
Gene Emering
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John Codman
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by John Codman » Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:09 am

New car prices are still FOB the plant of manufacture for North American vehicles. Shipping an automobile is expensive; thge manufacturer isn't going to absorb that cost.

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John E. Guitar
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by John E. Guitar » Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:32 pm

Gene, I think it's a Stoddard & Dayton.
Stoddard Dayton 3.jpg
Stoddard Dayton 2.jpg
Stoddard Dayton 1.jpg
New york Auto Show 1909.jpg
Lozier.jpg


Gary_in_MN
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by Gary_in_MN » Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:29 pm

Another picture, notice the ropes wrap on the tires. Buell brothers Taxi, Norwich N.Y. Gary
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1909 T.JPG


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:52 pm

John E. Guitar wrote:
Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:56 pm
Grand Central Auto Show 5.jpg


Grand Central Auto Show 3.jpg


Grand Central Auto Show 2.jpg


Grand Central Auto Show 1.jpg


Grand Central Auto Show entrance.jpg
John E.,

If you'll pardon me for being off-topic, Is your profile photo a picture of Joe Maphis?

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John E. Guitar
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Re: Laundaulet and Town Car

Post by John E. Guitar » Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:59 pm

Jerry, the photo is Sterling Hayden in the Nick Ray film Johnny Guitar.

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