Back in those days the roads were still mainly built with horse-drawn carriages in mind. Very early automobiles had to make adjustments for all the high centers in bad roads so a high-wheeled buggy-type auto (like Holsman's auto in the picture) seemed sensible to make.
The Holsman Automobile Company (Chicago, Illinois) prided itself in winning many hill-climbing events during those days. It is possible Holsman's autos were the first study precursor to latter 4-wheel drive vehicles.
A brand new Holsman 1908 model cost $550.00 and had a high-grade motor carriage and 'every part of every machine' was guaranteed to hold up. Women riding in such motor carriages wore a duster and often a broad-brimmed hat with a full veil as well to protect her hair.
We've come to think of dusters as a pure cowboy shoot-em-up at noon outfit but actually they became popular with the early automobiles to protect their clothing from oil spray and such.
