June 9, 2014

1904

1904 Richard Brasier Roadster "The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete in the urban compound."
~Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980), Canadian philosopher of communication theory

This 1904 Richard-Brasier Roadster was the first car to roll on Philippine roads. It was built by French and Belgian manufacturers Georges Richard and Charles-Henri Brasier, and has a 9-horsepower, 2-cylinder engine. It was first brought to the country in 1904 by the trading firm Estrella del Norte. It then passed through many hands until 2006, when Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation acquired it as part of its commitment to preserve artifacts that are part of our culture and heritage. It is currently on loan to The Mind Museum at Taguig.
~Text edited from The Mind Museum's sign

4 comments:

William Kendall said...

That's a real beauty, and even older than the one I showed a couple of weeks ago.

Lowell said...

I remember Mr. McLuhan - The Medium is the Message or something like that. This auto is a new one for me...but quite beautiful!

Photo Cache said...

if you have to ride in one of these, you have to be in full period costume as well.

EG CameraGirl said...

So colourful! I wonder if the wheels were always green.