The Motor Girls on a Tour

In Short

This juvenile mystery follows a group of spirited friends who balance their enthusiasm for early twentieth-century automobiles with a serious search for a lost inheritance. When a frail child named Wren Salvey confides that her grandfather’s will is hidden inside an antique table, the girls must navigate mechanical breakdowns, suspicious strangers, and legal battles to protect her future. A quintessential example of early girls' serial fiction, the book captures a moment when the automobile was a symbol of newfound independence and adventure for a generation of young women.

The Story

Cora Kimball and her friends, the Robinson twins, represent the modern spirit of their small town of Chelton. Driving their "Whirlwind" and "Flyaway" cars, these young women are part of a social circle that values both the mechanical thrill of motoring and the bonds of their informal club. Their quiet lives are interrupted when they meet Cecilia—known as "Clip"—and discover a connection to little Wren Salvey, an invalid child living in poverty with her mother. Wren possesses a "promise book" and a firm belief that her late grandfather’s will, which would secure their livelihood, is hidden inside a specific mahogany table that has been lost to an auction.

The stakes rise when it becomes clear that a group of predatory men, including the lawyer Rob Roland and his associate Mr. Reed, are also hunting for the table. These men are involved in a larger web of corporate malfeasance, having already intercepted important patent papers in a mail robbery that resulted in the kidnapping and injury of a young man named Paul Hastings. The girls find themselves in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse as they cross the countryside toward Breakwater. They face frequent mechanical failures and direct intimidation, yet they utilize their cars to outmaneuver their opponents.

Cora and her allies act with surprising independence, despite the era's social restrictions. While the men attempt to use the legal system to declare Wren’s mother unfit and seize custody of the child, the girls gather evidence by observing the movements of these lawyers at a local tea-house. Through a series of well-timed arrivals and clever investigative work, the girls intercept the progress of the villains. The climax occurs as the girls succeed in locating the antique table, effectively securing the evidence needed to prove the Salvey family’s right to their inheritance. By the final chapter, the threat from Roland and Reed is neutralized without the need for a public scandal. The story closes with the friends gathered at home, celebrating their success while revealing that Clip has been pursuing professional training as a nurse, marking her as a woman of substance. The girls’ club remains intact, strengthened by their shared triumph over the forces that sought to exploit the vulnerable.

How It Unfolds

The adventure begins Cora Kimball and her friends enjoy the freedom of driving their own cars around the countryside. Their routine is broken when they encounter a series of mysterious sounds in the woods, leading to a playful confrontation with their male friends.

A secret mission The girls meet little Wren Salvey, whose delicate health and tragic story capture their sympathy. She entrusts them with a "promise book" and the secret of her lost inheritance, setting the group on a quest to locate a specific antique table.

The shadow of conflict A sinister group of men begins to follow the girls, as these men are desperate to find the same table to destroy the evidence of the will. The girls experience a "hold-up" on the road and realize that their motoring trip has become a serious investigation.

The race to Breakwater Determined to reach the town of Breakwater, the group faces mechanical failures and threats from the lawyer Mr. Reed. They rely on their collective wit to avoid being separated or intimidated by the men pursuing them.

The final confrontation The girls bring the legal battle to a head, using their firsthand observations of the villains to turn the tide. They successfully locate the table, securing the inheritance for Wren and her mother while exposing the corrupt lawyers.

The People

Cora Kimball serves as the capable leader of the group, a natural driver who possesses a cool head in a crisis. Her primary desire is to protect her friends and ensure justice for the Salvey family, often acting as the strategist who navigates both the road and the legal obstacles they encounter.

Cecilia "Clip" Thayer acts as the daring heart of the group. Though she often plays the role of the mischievous, impulsive girl, she is revealed to be a secret student of nursing. Her resourcefulness is crucial to the care of the invalid Wren and to the group’s success in navigating the dangers posed by the villains.

Wren Salvey is the catalyst for the entire journey. As a small, whispering child in a wheelchair, she stands in opposition to the greed of her distant relatives. Her unwavering faith in the "promise book" and her grandfather’s legacy provides the moral center that drives the older girls to act.

Rob Roland and Mr. Reed serve as the antagonists, representing the avarice and legal manipulation that threaten the girls' independence. They attempt to use the law to force their will upon others, but they are ultimately defeated by the girls’ refusal to be intimidated and their ability to document the men's suspicious behavior.

In Its Own Voice

"To her the car went noiselessly--the perfection of its motion was akin to the very music of silence."

Cora Kimball appreciates the elegance and capability of her maroon automobile as she drives through the countryside.

"I have to tell you a long story about it. Then I will ask each of you to make me a promise--it is a very strange promise."

Wren Salvey introduces the mysterious promise book that serves as the central clue for the girls' investigation.

"Fate will have to answer."

Wren expresses her firm, childlike belief that justice will eventually prevail if the girls keep their promise to help her.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book explores the intersection of traditional femininity and the modern autonomy provided by new technology. The automobile serves as a vehicle for growth, allowing these young women to move beyond their domestic spheres and engage directly with the world of property, law, and justice. The central question is one of agency: can young women navigate a corrupt, male-dominated legal system to protect the vulnerable? The narrative argues that collective action, intelligence, and the refusal to submit to intimidation allow women to define their own roles. It is a story about the transition from childhood play—symbolized by "playing" at running a tea-house—to the adult responsibility of safeguarding the future of others.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage juvenile mysteries will find a charming, briskly paced narrative that highlights the early days of motoring. The prose is clean and energetic, reflecting the optimism of its era. For modern readers, the book offers a fascinating look at early 20th-century social attitudes, particularly regarding the limited options available to young women and the way they pushed against those boundaries. While the plot relies on conventions common to the serial fiction of its time—such as sudden coincidences and the "mysterious" behavior of villains—it remains engaging because of the genuine camaraderie among the girls. The characters are not merely passive; they are active investigators who take pride in their technical skills and their loyalty to one another.

However, readers should be prepared for the period-specific language and the simplified, occasionally theatrical portrayal of the villains. The dialect and the "scare-immune" bravado of the characters are distinctly of their time, which adds to the book's period appeal but may feel dated to some. If you are looking for a lighthearted adventure that celebrates the spirit of early female independence and the joy of a long, sun-drenched road trip, this book provides a satisfying and uniquely historical experience.