Wheels for Lowellians – (PIP #105)

By Louise Peloquin

Carpools, public transportation, and bicycle paths somewhat relieve today’s urban congestion. In 1926, the term “carbon footprint” had not yet been coined. Car ownership was desirable and gradually, more accessible. The increasing number of private vehicles forced cities to modify infrastructure in order to adapt to the transformations brought about by heavier traffic. Public safety was also a priority. Examples of these issues were posted on May 6, June 3 and June 17, 2025. (1)

     At a time when skyrocketing gas prices make commuting more and more costly and cruising more and more unreasonable, this throwback gives us a peek at Lowell’s wheels a hundred years ago.

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L’Etoile – October 28, 1924

1925 LICENSE PLATES

     Automobile and motorcycle license plate distribution for 1925 will begin on November 10. Requests to obtain plates will not be received before this date.

     Application forms for 1925 are the same as last year’s. They are available at registration office branches, police stations, garages, automobile dealers, banks and automobile clubs.

     The lower numbers have already been retained and will reach 10,000. The five-digit plates between 10,000 and 100,000 have been reserved for applications sent by post to Boston. They will be distributed according to the order of reception. Send yours beginning on November 10.

     Six-digit plates will be available for the general public at registration office branches.

     Mr. Goodwin warns that no one should wait to place their license plate request because, last year, 300,000 motor vehicles were registered for January 1, 1924. This year, 400,000 people will probably want to take their automobiles out on New Year’s Day. Vehicle owners who read this notification are invited to be among the 400,000 who will not wait until the last week of December to ask for their license plate.

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L’Etoile – January 2, 1926

Automobile Registration in This City

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More than 6,500 autos registered at the local office at this date. – A considerable increase in the number of automobiles in the State of Massachusetts is predicted this year.

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      Ralph J. Karch, Lowell Automobile Registration Office chief, announced this morning that more than 6,500 automobiles have been registered for 1926. Almost half were registered Thursday. The crowd was so dense that applicants had to wait longer than an hour to obtain their plates.

     This figure does not represent the totality of the vehicles registered because many Lowellians got their plates in Boston. Residents of neighboring villages are also registered at the local automobile office.

     Mr. Karch says that the number of automobiles in Massachusetts will rise considerably this year. Consequently, revenue coming from this source will be higher than it usually is. The State uses this money to enlarge bridges and to repair main roads.

     A local company which owns many trucks paid more than $1,000 to register its autos.

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L’Etoile – January 4, 1926

APPREHENDED FOR AUTOMOBILE THEFT

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Two young men arrested for the theft of an automobile belonging to Eudoviste Barrette of Aiken Street. – The auto was stolen Thursday night on Middle Street.

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     An automobile belonging to Eudoviste Barrette of 493 Aiken Street, Dracut, was stolen Thursday night on Middle Street while Mr. Barrette attended the Club des Citoyens-Américains (American Citizens’ Club) New Year’s party. It was found Saturday, intact, on Common Street.

     After a police investigation, Angus J. McInnis and David R. Foster were apprehended by Police Officers Patrick B. Clark and Louis Turner and were accused of the theft of Mr. Barrette’s automobile. They were summoned to appear in District Court this morning.

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L’Etoile – January 7, 1926

OUR SHOPKEEPERS AT WORK

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They are actively preparing the expo to be held from January 25 to 30 at Memorial Auditorium Hall.

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     Lowell’s next annual automobile expo will open on January 25 at Auditorium hall and end on January 30.

     Local business owners are presently getting ready for this grand event expected to be an unprecedented success. Sales figures during the Lowell automobile expo are always considerable and, undoubtedly, the same will occur this year.

     The entrance fee has been set at 25 cents.

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L’Etoile – January 9, 1926

THE PURCHASING AGENT WANTS TO SAVE ON GASOLINE

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He would like to purchase all of the gasoline for the city service departments for 1926

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     Yesterday, in a communiqué addressed to all department chiefs, purchasing agent J. Donnelly made known that he intended to save money in 1926 by buying all of the gasoline for city service automobiles. He wanted to know how much gasoline each department needed in order to obtain the best price by making a one-time purchase.

     In his communiqué, the purchasing agent said that he had studied this possibility because many other cities were buying their gasoline this way.

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L’Etoile – January 14, 1926

1926 AUTOMOBILES WILL LAST LONG

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Experts predict that they will last longer than previous models.

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     New York, 14 – One of the best improvements in 1926 automobiles is its extended lifespan. Experts arrived at this conclusion after examining the models presented at the annual exhibition at Grand Central Palace.

     They stated that the 1926 models will last much longer than previous ones but that this will only be obvious after a year.

     Experts believe that only after 10,000 to 20,000 miles on the road will new models require valve repairs, ball bearing adjustments and engine ring replacements.

     Among other improvements is simplified chassis lubrification. In certain cases, the spring bolts are replaced by rubber links.

     Lavish polish gives colors an impeccable finish. Durability, attractive appearance and easy application make these finishes popular.

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L’Etoile – January 7, 1926

DAN O’DEA                                                           STEPHANE ROCHETTE   

Here are the New Prices!

                                            Old Price                              New Price

Tourist Auto . . . .           $875                                      $795

Roadster. . . .                   $855                                      $795                               

Type-B Sedan. . . .          $ 1045.                                 $895

Coupe. . . . . . .                   $960                                     $845

Truck with panel box.  $960                                     $885

Truck with metal box.  $885.                                    $810

Chassis. . . . . .                   $730                                     $655

     These new prices apply to autos and trucks superior to what Dodge Brothers had produced previously. These prices are made possible by the implementation of the $10,000,000 expansion program which practically doubles production capacity and consequently, significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

LOWELL MOTOR MART, INC.

AUTOMOBILE DEALERS

Moody – Tilden – Colburn Streets (2)

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1. PIP #68 – “Housing, Parking and Roadwork” https://richardhowe.com/2025/05/06/housing-parking-and-roadwork-in-1924-lowell/

PIP #72 – “The Bridge Street Bridge”

https://richardhowe.com/2025/06/03/the-bridge-street-bridge/

PIP #73 – “Street Wide”                                                                                                          https://richardhowe.com/2025/06/17/street-wide/

2) Translations by Louise Peloquin.