Update: there’s another in this series:
Vintage Postcard: 1908 Overland, “Good Day Or Night” and “Come Ride With Me”- Sex Sells
– Posted on April 14, 2023
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Curbside Classics Archives
Update: there’s another in this series:
Making an appeal to the guys’ Willys, no doubt.
Just look at those squeeze bulb horns! Honk! Honk! I’ll bet she’s fun to ride too!
OMG – GRANDMA – NO!
Beyond the obvious theme, this bridge is driving me crazy. Overland was built in Indianapolis at that time and I feel like I have been across that bridge, but I cannot place it. Any locals have an idea? The factory was west of the White River on Division Street and the 51% owner (David Parry) lived in Golden Hill (which he developed) southwest of what would today be W.38th and Michigan Road. Give me a hand here, Jim Grey.
My first thought was Central Avenue over Fall Creek, but now I am thinking 39th Street over Fall Creek (right by the fairgrounds)
That’s great – I love find the location of old photos. I looked up the 39th St. bridge, and it sure seems to have the same masonry pattern.
I was stopped at a traffic light next to the 39th street bridge yesterday and got off a quick shot through the passenger window. It was built in 1905 but has been restricted to use as a pedestrian walkway now for fear it can no longer handle the weight of modern traffic.
I cannot decide – the lower course of stone in the 1908 shot is likely covered by pavement now.
Then I noticed the College Avenue bridge (also going over Fall Creek). The main span is different, but there are long approaches on each end with the same stone pattern. Both bridges were built in 1905 and were the design of Henry W. Klausman. However, each was built by a different construction company.
Great photo showing 2 examples of vintage headlights; Cloth covered and Brass.
On a more serious note; I find the postcard to be very unusual. Considering the timeframe, I can’t imagine a major auto manufacturer [Overland was a substantial vehicle manufacturer back then] offering such a salacious postcard. Yet it’s emblazoned with the Overland logo.
Most manufacturers used professional photographers who would ensure the car looked perfect before taking the photo. As the car’s hood is coated with a layer of fine dust, I suspect this postcard was created by a local Overland dealer, with the dealer’s info on the reverse side. It’s possible the lady is a well-known local person, perhaps a bathing beauty & model, and she’s listed in the printed message too.
I’m in agreement that the car is probably a 1908 model 40, as the flat-top front fenders stopped at the end of 1910.
Yes, I’m having trouble believing this is genuine. Of course there were suggestive and outright ribald postcards back then, but from a mass-market car maker?
There’s a British vintage tyre supplier that uses this sort of theme in their magazine advertising – old car, pretty girl often in vintage clothing, caption – and some of theirs are very suggestive. Although I haven’t seen one with a car as old as this Overland, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of theirs. It fits their theme.
Surprisingly suggestive picture for the time!
Obviously, this wouldn’t be mainstream marketing. Targeted, to a specific clientele.
There are no leaves on the trees so I would suspect that it’s cold out. Yes the lady on the running board has confirmed my suspicions.
I’m having trouble believing this is genuine. Of course there were suggestive and outright ribald postcards back then, but from a mass-market car maker?
There’s a British vintage tyre supplier that uses this sort of theme in their magazine advertising – old car, pretty girl often in vintage clothing, caption – and some of theirs are very suggestive. Although I haven’t seen one with a car as old as this Overland, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of theirs. It fits their theme.
Amazing how pictures, once on the net, can become cut loose from their moorings.
Suggestive pics were more common than we think nowadays. We believe all sorts of myths about the past.
Here’s Clara Bow selling a Moon….
TVR stand, at the British Motor Show, Earls Court, London, in 1971.
Totally Naked Glamour Models rolling all over the cars.
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Funniest, unofficial one I saw recently was, a Jaguar with the USA pornstar Nina Mercedes spread out all over it.
Nina Mercedez.
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Also if you into this type of thing, their was an adult series, called “Hot Bods and Tail Pipes”, by Stoney Curtis.
I believe the series ran to 28 episodes.
soz