Historic Hood River
Shovel or Ski?
5-2-2011
Notes
Another Monday mystery by the same photographer that gave us last Monday’s mystery. This may look like a Suburu commercial, but the year is 1928 and the car is a brand new Ford Model A. The question is simple: how does a rear wheel drive car with tires barely wider than my bike’s (and much less aggressive tread) handle in the snow?
Norvin Coulter is out for a winter drive with his friends. Are they going skiing? They don’t seem dressed for it. Are they stuck in the snow? No one seems too worried. Perhaps the rear tires are chained. Did they have tire chains in 1928?
There were several days last week when roads on Mt. Hood looked just like this. So perhaps this is the real Monday mystery: “is spring weather finally here to stay?”
Jim Gray
They certainly had chains as well as mud and snow tires available, the tall wheels and skinny tires work pretty well in the snow. Check out "Coker Tire" for examples of reproduction aggressive treads.
Dan
Looks like it was shot by a professional based on the depth of field and the signature in the lower right hand corner. So I wondering if this was staged for the photo. It’s cool non the less.
Connie
First off – note the cigarette the guy in the front is holding. You can actually see the smoke. I wonder about an "ad" type picture since the plate says "dealer". Maybe it was a way to send a message that this vehicle could go anywhere? Regardless, I absolutely love this picture.
l.e.
This was before the depression. I wonder how Mr. Coulter’s Ford dealership did through those tough business years?
l.e.
The photographer, Donnerberg, married Laurel Dethman in 1917 in HR. They were later divorced.
Charlott
Coulter must have done alright as he was still in operation in the 1950’s. Fred Donnerberg took wonderful pictures as he was also a Hood River Crag Rat.
Jeffrey Bryant
I wouldn’t read too much into their clothing. I have a fishing picture from the 1930’s of my great-grandfather, Robert Vaughan, wearing his hat, tie, suit coat and vest. Casual Friday was certainly not practiced back then.