First cars in Finland... (UPDATE II: Lindner's 1912 Rolls)

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There is no reliable written documentation available which could tell who was the first private person to own a car in Finland. First automobile advertisements were published in 1899 and from that same year are reports of automobiles driving on the road and scaring horses. One of the first car owners in Finland, if not the first, was a wealthy landowner Hjalmar Linder who owned several manors both in Finland and abroad including Mustio manor. Persistent rumours say that Linder owned a car already in 1898. Fortunately there are several photo documentations available of his first car. Examining the picture indicates that the car is certainly not older than 1900. There is still not 100% certainty what was the make of his first car. It is generally believed to be a Mors or some other chain-driven French car. French chauffeur "Achille" and his wife were part of the deal and they would follow Linder in his trips to foreign countries. Linder always preferred expensive cars. In 1904 he bought a Mercedes-Simplex which had a 9,2 -liter 60hp engine. In 1909 he purchased a Leon Bollée and in 1910 a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. He had also several other cars in his garage e.g. Fiat and Hudson. Unfortunately Linder was a gambler and as a result of several problems in his private life he died without his fortunes in 1921. From all of his expensive cars the only part remaining is a clock from the Silver Ghost." (article by Raul Valkila from Finland)

UPDATE III by John Peirson:"I looked up Mr Linder in the book "The Edwardian Rolls-Royce" and found that Mr Linder owned two early Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, a 1912 (chassis 2214) and a 1914 (chassis 53RB). Alas there is no mention of a 1910 car."
UPDATE II by Rick Ford:"
...(there)is a photo of the Linder 1912 (not 1910) RR Silver Ghost in John Fasal's "The Edwardian Rolls-Royce" Page 580. (Still available) Quote "Chassis 2214, engine 8.T, Tourer by Rothschild, on test 5.12. 1912. Supplied via Autos R-R, France to S Nicholajeff, Lubeck, Finland.then to Baron Linder, Swarta, Finland. Illustrated RROC, 'Flying Lady' 71-3 page 1347."

UPDATE by Mark Dawber:"I can't find a pic the same but I think the car in Finland is a 1901 Mors - my guess is about 12hp. Berliet of the same era looked similar but I would go for Mors."

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