Autobody - The bodyshop 1916 Business Card

Colorized photo from 1916 Original Title: Semmes Motor Co Location: Washington, DC You wouldn't know it by looking, but this is an autobody shop. It looks more like a machine shop. When cars first came on the scene, they didn't have the proper places to repair and refuel them. Originally you would take you car to a blacksmith, and they would add the petrol, and hammer out the dents. Later on, they became more like a machine shop, where they had to make new parts, or repair them. Fenders were hammered out, often using lead as a filler, filed down and lacquered. Often the entire body was removed from it frame (you could do that then). This particular shop does it all, engine, tires, and dents.