boots and a cabriolet

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Lock on the spare?

 

[nkaminar]

I think people would steal the spare for the tire. One solution would be to put a bald tire on the spare.

 

[400A]

You don't see whitewall tires in period photos very often. Neat.

 

[Joe K]

Accessory "luggage rack" on the back.

Possibly taken as part of "leaving for college" - or possibly arriving after the degree.

The boots appear common rubber - and not a leather military boot. And the pants have "garters" but are not the military issue "jodhpurs" type.

I would guess late 1930s.

Joe K

 

[Brad in Germany]

According to historic records from the Cheekwood Estates and Gardens in Nashville Tennessee, that photo shows Leslie Cheek Jr. and his green Model A Cabriolet which was a graduation gift from his wealthy parents (who had a chauffeur driven Lincoln Towncar, a Buick and a Ford Model A Woody Wagon as well). The photo was most likely taken at Yale University where Leslie Jr. went to college (He also attended Harvard and Columbia Universities). The family's wealth was derived from their wholesale grocery distributor business and Leslie Sr. cousin's sale of the Cheek-Neal Coffee Company (which became the Maxwell House Coffee Blend).

Brad in Maryland

 

[Chuck Dempsey]

Thanks Brad! Very interesting...

 

[Joe K]

More on Leslie Cheek, Jr. at https://arthistorians.info/cheekl/

Born in 1908, which in 1931 would put him at 23 years. Given the dent in the rear fender, this might be a year or two later.

Joe K

 

[Fullraceflathead]

Great photo and great history, thanks!!!

 

[1930artdeco]

Yes, it looks like a tire lock. And Dual white wall tires!

Mike