Item 23654 - Automobile racing, Old Orchard Beach, 1912

Item 23654 - Automobile racing, Old Orchard Beach, 1912
Contributed by Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media
Item 23654
Automobile racing, Old Orchard Beach, 1912
Zoom
4599px x 3352px - 15.3"w x 11.2"h @ 300dpi  |  Need a larger size?
*Credit line must read: Collections of Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media
Image Info

Man seated in car with a number 2 on the engine. The Old Orchard Beach pier is in the background. The car was manufactured by the Everitt-Metzger-Flanders (E-M-F) Company. The car in this image is a circa 1911 Locomobile Runabout, built in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The car is fully equipped with road accessories and is registered with 1912 Massachusetts plates, indicating that it is a private car and its owner is taking advantage of the closed course to make an informal speed run on the beach.

Competitive auto racing on Old Orchard Beach probably began as early as 1903 although the first recorded formal race was in 1911. The last was in 1913.

The start and finish line was the pier. Googins' Rocks was the southernmost turning point.

Show Details