Automobile

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“Such an elegant way to travel. What do you think of this automobile, Mr. Marston?”

–Edgar Ross.

“Slow.”

–John Marston.

The Automobile is an extremely rare and progressive form of transportation featured in Red Dead Redemption.

While the primary mode of in-game travel is on horseback or by a horse-drawn carriage, as the player progresses through the game, the creeping onset of modernization will make itself known, especially in Blackwater. Automobiles are a still a rarity in 1911 and cannot be independently driven by the player, but they still play important roles in several main story missions.

Automobiles in Red Dead Redemption

Automobiles were not produced in any significant numbers, having only been commercially available less than a decade prior; automobiles would have been considered rare contraptions. All in-game automobiles are lightweight except for the red Model-T.

A Ford Model-T is seen being unloaded at the Blackwater docks during the introduction cinematic. The same vehicle is seen parked beside an automobile repair shop on a street in Blackwater.

Edgar Ross and Archer Fordham use an early burgundy Ford Model-T as their primary mode of transportation. Players are obligated to ride as a passenger in the vehicle in several gameplay missions.

Players will also encounter an early Darracq 'Perfecta' automobile that has been modified with steel armor plates and a Maxim Gun. This vehicle appears only once in the Edgar Ross mission "And You Will Know The Truth", with Marston manning the Maxim gun mounted in the bed.

Dutch van der Linde owned or stole a burgundy Ford Model-T which he used to kidnap a banker and eventually crashed in the Edgar Ross mission "Great Men are Not Always Wise".

History

The vehicle depicted in trailers is most likely an example of an early Darracq Perfecta. Alexandre Darracq had made a fortune from the French cycle trade in the 1890s and owned a 'Perfecta' works that made components for motor tricycles and was one of the largest in Paris. After a number of false starts, it was not until 1900 that he marketed his first successful motorcar. It had a vertical front-mounted single-cylinder engine, with over 700 being sold in the first year.

1908 was a landmark year for automobiles. The Ford Model-T began production and a race around the world was held in New York with a finish line at Paris. Only three of the six contestants completed the challenging race. The automobile was described as "the most fragile and capricious thing on earth." In 1913, Ford introduced the world's first moving assembly line to speed up production, make things easier and significantly increased production of the Model-T.

Automaker Studebaker, once one of the largest horse-drawn carriage builders in the United States, built its last horse-drawn vehicle in 1920.

Mission Appearances

• "Exodus in America
• "The Gates of El Presidio"
• "Bear One Another's Burdens"
• "Great Men Are Not Always Wise"
• "And You Will Know The Truth"
• "And The Truth Will Set You Free"

Trivia

• The automobile that is seen in Blackwater is a 1910 Ford Model T.
• If obtaining gold, Jack will shout "Jack's getting an automobile!" even though he is unable to buy one.
• In the mission Bear One Another's Burdens, Fordham is able to start the motorcar from the driver's seat, while in reality, all the early automobiles in the late-nineteenth century and early-twentieth century had an ignition which was activated by a crank located at front of the vehicle, that had to be turned by hand until the engine started. This is most likely a developer oversight.
• The Ford Model-T acts as a world object as it will take cosmetic damage, but has no special damage effects

Gallery

3D model of an armored Darracq 'Perfecta'

One of the earliest production automobiles of the 20th century, an armored Darracq 'Perfecta'

An automobile can be found in Blackwater, but it cannot be driven by the player. It should be noted that the car is parked next to an auto repair shop.