Isn't that a great start of the year! A Mitchell racing machine idling while posing for the photographer after a good day at a dirt track (note the mud/snow chains). May we say that the car is showing off in fine pre-concours condition? When you click the photo can also better see the ergonomics cread for the driver. The seat tilted backwards and the steering column lowered, both also good for better aerodynamics and maybe even to catch a little less dirt!
According to Eldon Guay who recently acquired the photo the driver is Barney Oldfield, as that was told him by the seller who is a (distant) nephew of Mr. Oldfield. Still we have our doubts, as most photos of Barney Oldfield available show a man with er... a bit more bacon on his cheeks. But we maybe wrong and this is just a young & slim Oldfield like depicted here with Henry Ford. Now if that's true the next question is of course, is anything known of Barney racing a Mitchell? We will contact Joe Freeman of Racemaker Press as he is true expert on the subject, but you may be more quick. If all that's solved your editor will stay with this questionmark, what's Frank Sinatra doing in the mechanics' seat?
We wish you a good one! A very good one. A super 2017! With tons of driving fun. Go for it and find a good dirt track to dress up your Mitchell, Stutz or Mercer.
(collection Eldon Guay)