Help identify these two early model cars.

[Snagglefoot]

Here are two photos of the original water tower at Fort Steele in SW BC, north of the Idaho border. Fort Steele was built by the North West Mounted Police in 1898.

The two shots were taken years apart. Can anyone identify the year and model of the two cars? Thanks.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Mods, I did screen shots to show the tower details.

 

[TooManyWheels]

The first one seems to be a 1910 (approx) Oakland. The second one shows little detail, seems pretty generic. Might just be a Model T.

 

[K-Man]

The second one is definitely American, but not a Model T because of the headlights and radiator, but that's all I can say for sure. Could be an early Chevrolet.

 

[Snagglefoot]

According to Wiki the model T was manufactured from 1908 to 1927. That is a heck of a long run. Ford apparently brought the cost down from $780 in 1910 to $290 in 1924 through manufacturing efficiency. The inflation calculator says inflation from 1913 would be 33.35 x. The $780 would be $26,000 and the $290 from 1924 would be x 19.3 meaning the $290 would be $5600.

 

[JohnnyG]

I have a question.
Where was the water stored?

Sorry, couldn't help with the cars.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I have a question.
Where was the water stored?

Sorry, couldn't help with the cars.

There was a single large wooden bbl inside made from wooden staves and iron hoops. There was a small coal stove inside that would get lit when the temps got real cold.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I visited the site and the water tower had burned down in the 1980's and all that is left is some rudimentary concrete foundations for the wooden beams and a cast iron pipe going down the slope to the Wild Horse creek.

Fort Steele Heritage Town is north of Cranbrook, BC, and is a popular stop on the highway 93 north of Idaho route towards the Alaska highway. Nearby is campground suitable for pull-throughs and a little further away is a full service KOA with Champion golf course and casino. I highly recommend it.