Tag Archives: Pope-Toledo
A pair of 1904 Pope-Hartford Model A Runabouts
This pair of 1904 Pope-Hartford Model A Runabouts in great early photos are interesting to see especially with the period signage in the background. Recently we covered another 1904 Pope-Hartford that was also in the 1904 AAA St. Louis Tour, as the one in the photo (below) was, if you take a look back many of the details of this model can be found along with a very nice period advertisement.
The photos are two of many early Connecticut built cars we are posting, courtesy of the collection of Mark Johnson, from the Klingberg Family Center, which hosts the annual Klingberg Motorcar Festival as a benefit event on Fathers Day weekend. Please support them if at all possible and be sure to attend next years show in New Britain, Ct.
You can also take a look back on five pages of fine Pope-Hartford and Pope-Toledo photos we have posted here on The Old Motor.
**Update**Charles Soules-Early Racer
Tim Martin found this great circa 1904-1905 photo of Charles Soules, aboard a racing car. We are not sure of the maker but their is a possibility that it may be a Pope-Toledo. If any of our readers know more about the car or what event Soules was in please send us a comment.
**Update** With some research we were able to find what we believe may have be the event that is shown in this photo. On July 3, 1905 the second 24 hr. race in the country was held in Columbus, OH. at Driving Park on the East side of the city. Charles Soules and his brother who were racing for Pope-Toledo at the time won the event.
There were also other shorter races held at the same event and this Pope-Toledo may have been a different car set up for sprint races, judging by the small size of the gas tank. We found a second photo that appears to have been taken at the same time, which is the first photo below on the left. This photo was in one of the Chicago newspapers and we did find the report of the event in one of them.
The second photo is from Automotive Topics March, 1905 issue, and shows the very odd Pope-Toledo transmission and differential, in which the changing gears are after the ring and pinion. This could have been very difficult to shift as the gear reduction (ring and pinion) was before the transmission gears. This is the same problem that the Miller fwd racing car suffered from.
The third photo shows a standard production engine with siamese exhaust ports and slightly different cylinder block construction.
Take a look here at several pages of other 24 hour races we have here on The Old Motor. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Posted in Auto Racing 1894 - 1942
Tagged Charles Soules, Pope-Toledo
Pope-Toledo Speedcar
A pair of young gentleman out in the fall, in what appears to be a circa 1906 stripped down Pope-Toledo. This may have been the big Type XII, which was listed as a 35-40 h.p. car. These gents, like many others, copied what racing car drivers did when they built a racing car. By taking off the rear section of the body, if it was a touring and anything else not essential, a bit more speed could be coaxed out of a car because of the reduced weight and wind resistance. The Old Motor photo.
Posted in Auto photos 1885 - 1920
Tagged Pope-Toledo, Speedcar
