Identify this event please

[Chris Barker]

I have been asked if I can find out where, when and what this event was. The cars are numbered, and one is marked 'Pilot'.

Thank you

[Chris Barker]

No ideas??

[ModelT46]

Except for the pilot auto the cars we can see are 1913-14 Ford tourings. Most likely new at the time of the photo. It is interesting. If it was an "open to public" event, what all Fords? Why is the pilot auto not a Ford.

[Chris Barker]

Thank you.
I had all those thoughts, but then I saw that car 21 appears to have 1917+ curved fenders.....

[Kerry]

The pilot car or called today as the pace car. needed to be faster to get out of the way of all those T's a race'n.

[Wayne Sheldon]

I don't think they are new cars. Many have tool boxes, at least one has a spare tire lashed on the side. Some look like they have been camping for awhile. I don't think car 21 is a Ford at all (I think I can see part of the front spring?). If the detail were more clear, we might be able to see more. However I don't see anything to indicate what was going on? It could be possible that they might be a delivery of automobiles after a long dirty drive. Or just as likely a "Tin Can Tourist" trip?

[Dan Haynes]

I think the pilot car is a Hupmobile. I can't tell what is behind it, maybe another Hup.
The first two cars in the line appear to me to be 1915 - '16 tourings.
The third car, #21, is not a Ford; the driver's door is open.
The rest, from 22 back, look like Fords.

Interestingly, all the Fords and the pilot car have a banner(?) tied over the cowl. Or is it an apron to keep rain off the firewall?

[TFan]

Some of those banners seem to have a cross on them maybe a Red Cross relief caravan of some sort. Jim

[Burger in Spokane]

Did Hupps ever have such large headlights ?

[Mark Gregush]

It is hard to make out for sure, but the car behind 23 (sixth one back) looks to have not only rounded fenders but 17 style radiator. Also, the cowl lights on the first car are the round 1915 up style. A lot of the banners seem to flow the cowl lines of post 1915 cars, not flat across as one might expect with 1914 back.

[Dan Haynes]

Mark -
The rear curtain in the top on that 1917-style car is the three-light type, too.

I wish I remembered how to post pictures, I'd post some 1915ish Hupmobiles. You'd think after the hundreds of photos I posted here years ago I'd remember...

[Dan Haynes]

Let's see if I can still do this.

A 1915 Hupmobile:

1915_Hupmobile_Model_K_Touring.jpg (43.82 KiB) Viewed 2568 times

But the headlights started me thinking... Chalmers also used high and wide headlights:

OK, keep your eyes crossed this works...