Antique cars come to Edgartown

Steven and Pamela Heald of Sodus, N.Y. drive away in a 1912 EMF (Everett, Metzger, Flanders) automobile. Photos by Brian Jolley

Posted September 29, 2005

Members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America in 23 pre-1915 automobiles, horseless carriages in the vernacular of the day, held an antique car show on the grounds of the Martha's Vineyard Historical Society in Edgartown Saturday morning.

One of the automobiles on display, a 1911 Model 40 Corbin, was built by the Corbin Lock Company.

The car has ties to the Vineyard because Mr. Corbin was the original owner of the now refurbished Victorian era Corbin-Norton house on the corner of Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs.

According to John Lothrop of Windham, N.H., the vehicle's owner, the car spent time submerged in a swamp and encased in ice. He found the parts and reassembled the car and has had it up and running for the past 30 years.

After a brief pit stop, during which young and old admirers examined the vintage automobiles, the owners, most dressed in period clothing, hit the road for a round-the-Island tour, much to the delight of passersby.

John Lothrop of Windham, N.H. in the driver's seat of his 1911 Model 40 Corbin, the only one in existence.

Chris and Sue Greaves of Madison, Conn. head out in their 1910 Stanley Steamer to catch up with the group as they head for Vineyard Haven