1905 Franklin Model A Rear Entrance Tonneau

A red 1905 Franklin Model A Rear Entrance Tonneau being unloaded from a trailer at Arcadia Regional Park during the 2019 Holiday Motor Excursion presented by the Horseless Carriage Club (HCCA) of Southern California.

When I think of the name "Franklin", the first thing that comes to mind is the guy on the hundred-dollar bill, followed by a green storybook turtle from my childhood. But yes, Franklin was a car company too; in fact, the Franklin Automobile Company was in business for around three decades and was often compared to brands like Cadillac and Packard.

There are so many fascinating things about this car, especially from a modern perspective. White (natural rubber) tires? A single headlamp? Side-mounted cargo compartments? And just look at that huge door in the back! If some jerk parallel-parks too close behind you, your poor passengers can't get on until after you pull out. And given how fast people drive nowadays, I'd feel a bit uneasy riding on a seat that doubles as a door - without seatbelts, mind you. If James Bond were around a hundred years ago, this would be a good alternative to the ejector seat. Let's hope whatever is latching that door shut is strong enough to withstand L.A.'s notorious potholes!

It's unfortunate the owner didn't start the car up. But hey, it's almost 120 years old (!), so I'm not surprised that it's not ready to run on its own power. To be fair, the "roads" in 1905 were probably bumpier than the worst of modern roads, so I'm sure that door was strong enough to ensure that the rear passengers would still be present upon reaching the destination. The very fact that this car still exists now is incredible, and seeing it in a public parking lot under natural 21st-century sunlight is certainly unforgettable.

Would you go for a ride in that back seat on a busy modern highway? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!