Can you help identify this car?

[JimG]

Hi guys,


I am doing some geneology work during the non-driving months and have some photos of a family reunion with a car in them. It would help to identify the time frame of the photo if I could ID the car. There are several photos but this one shows the most detail of the car. The spare tire cover seems to say Echo Motor Co, Tonawanda, NY. I googled it and there are several references to this company in publications dated 1914. They say they had a fire then and were rebuilding.


The filler neck looks like it is on the wrong side for a Ford. I am thinking late 1920's or early 1930's. You guys are very knowledgeable, so I thought somebody might be able to ID it from the small amount of the car you can see. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather are in the photo, along with lots of other relatives I am trying to positively identify.


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Seeing as Echo was a Studebaker dealer I'd guess a Studebaker.
Perhaps a '26-'27 Studebaker President model 5

 

[Mart]

I'm no expert but googled 1925 Studebaker and the first one shown had that peak over the windshield.

 

[JimG]

When I googled ECHO motors I didn't come up with a Studebaker reference, but now that I add it I see that they were a Studebaker dealer and see the address. I actually remember them at that address as a Studebaker dealer up until Studebaker closed. I never knew what the name of the dealership was, however. Thanks. So the photo could be from the mid 20's to maybe 1930 or so.

 

[scicala]

I did a little searching, and a 1927 Studebaker has the same shaped rear window and horizontal double ridge on the body under the window.


Sal

 

[mercman from oz]

This enlargement will make it easier to compare photos.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

'26-'27 Studebaker without the people.

 

[JimG]

Wow! Looks like you guys nailed it!


Thanks for all your help.

 

[blucar]

As a general rule body belting did not appear on cars until '27 and later. The body manufactures did not have the skill and/or tooling to make body panels with belting until '27.
The Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942 shows a 1927 Studebaker 4dr on page 1374, which appears to be identical to the car you are trying to identify.

 

[JimG]

Thanks,


I think I have pretty well decided it is a 1927 by looking at pictures of several model years that I googled. They seem to be the year that has the belting and the same shaped back window. I don't see the belting on the 1926 or the 1928 photos I see. Here is another example. This is significant for what I am trying to do as one of my grandfather's brothers died in a car accident in 1927, and he is not present in any of the photos, so it confirms the time period of the photo is 1927 or later.