Volume 14 , Issue 18

Grandpa's Model T Torpedo Roadster of 1912

[Click images to view larger images of Grandpa Bill McGill and his 1912 Model T Torpedo Roadster.]

Whoever was taking the picture may have been looking towards the southeast to catch the "Castle on the Hill" in the background. If someone else has a better description of the composition, I would love to hear from you via comment or email. What about the image in the shiny gas tank? I can see grandpa's image, but what is the white image? Is it a lady in white with umbrella? Flowers? Can not quite make the white image out.

In the image on the left you can see in the background on the right the west side angle of the "Castle on the Hill" known as Northwestern Normal School back then. I believe this photo was taken in the middle of the 800 block of Maple Street in Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma where Grandma and Grandpa were living.

In The Hickman Courier, dated 13 June 1912, out of Hickman, Kentucky, we found this ad for a Model K-20, Torpedo Roadster, fully equipped, $685.00. Mohair top, side sustains, top boot, Troy windshield, Prest-O-Light tank, two gas head lights, oil tail light, horn, jack, pump and repairer kit. 32x3 tires with clincher rims, 96 inch wheel base, and enameled trimmings throughout.

The ad mentioned that they were going to give away this two passenger Marathon automobile to the person holding the lucky corresponding number drawn from their ballot box. They began giving tickets away on Saturday, June 22, 1912. They had 36,000 duplicate tickets and were giving you with each cash dollar spent three chances on this automobile. all you needed to do was write your name and address on one end of the ticket, drop it in the ballot box, holding the duplicate of same. When they had given away all 36,000 tickets they held a drawing, and the person who was lucky enough to have the corresponding number would get this $685.00 automobile FREE.

I do not believe that is how my grandpa came to get is Model T Torpedo Roadster of 1912, though. Grandpa Bill McGill and Grandma Constance Warwick McGill had been married for a couple years (24 March 1910) before this photo was taken and did not have any children until December 1914, when my Dad, Gene (Merle Eugene) McGill was born. Robert Lee came two years later (1916).   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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