San Diego Automotive Museum

Taking the 1909 International Harvester Model A Auto Wagon for a spin

The San Diego Automotive Museum is now thirty years old.  We took another look while Benjamin was visiting us from Tacoma, taking a break from his LeMay Car Museum internship.  While our car museum is smaller than LeMay's, we do have a few treasures down South, including this 1909 International Harvester wagon.  The wagon came to San Diego via a circuitous route from Massachussetts.  It was driven to the museum a few years back, after being donated.  Most cars are not owned by the museum, but are on loan.  Because this car is owned by the museum they let us sit in it. 

Benjamin, who has driven a Model T at LeMay, reviewed the gears on this baby with one of the museum volunteers.  It was too complicated for me to convey, but here are some other interesting tidbits.  It's price new was  $850. This vehicle was designed for farm work and could be converted into a pickup truck.  You just took out the back seat.  The gas tank is up front, right next to the lanterns and lamps.  One had to be careful when lighting the lamps and lanterns, which used kerosene, right next to that gas tank. And its top speed was 20 mph.