CG #69 - Thomas Edison's 1910 Baker Electric Victoria

[Craig Gillingham]

For 1 point, tell me the year, make, and model of this car, as well as who the owner was (he's sitting in the car).

[Craig Gillingham]

Up to Expert Level.

[sixtee5cuda]

This looks like Thomas Edison and his son Chase, in a Studebaker Electric Runabout.

Possibly the second Studebaker production automobile sold, in 1902.

[Craig Gillingham]

This looks like Thomas Edison and his son Chase, in a Studebaker Electric car.

Possibly the second Studebaker production automobile sold, in 1902.

That's pretty close. It is Thomas Edison (it's his car), but the driver isn't his son.

It isn't a Studebaker, and it's newer than 1902.

LOCKED for you until your next reply.

[sixtee5cuda]

Not that apparently.  There are many pictures of Edison and his Studebaker, looking very much like the puzzle image.

Your puzzle image claims to be Thomas A. Edison in his 1910 Baker Electric Victoria.

[Craig Gillingham]

Thomas A. Edison in his 1910 Baker Electric Victoria

Correct, another point for you. I'm sure it's a 1910 Baker Electric, if you Google this, you'll see what I mean.

[Otto Puzzell]

For contrast, here is Edison's Studebaker.

[D-type]

Looks like the same car to me!  Can someone plesae identify the differences please.

[sixtee5cuda]

Many 1902 cars looked exactly like the Studebaker.  It seems the 1910 Baker retained this look.  The major difference I see is, the front fender is nearly equal in height to that of the front body panels.  On the 1902 Studebaker, the fender only reaches 1/2 way up the front body panels.

Square vs round headlights, and the box on the back of the Studebaker is larger with sharper corners.

[Craig Gillingham]

By the look of it, the Studebaker is a lot more basic and an earlier car, the main difference I can see is the hood height is twice as high and shorter compared to the Baker, the seating position is higher, and further forward, shorter wheel base, basic center chain drive compared to a diff with outboard rear brakes on the Baker, the steering arrangement on the front wheels is different (notice the tie rod on the Studebaker), the front chassis rails on the Baker are more 1910 style and a typical C section channel iron compared to the Studebaker with tapered tubular chassis and dumb irons which was more typical on 1902 cars, also the dash is leaning forward on the Baker.