Tag Archives: Auto History

Auto Factoid 9/8/2013 – 9/14/2013

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Auto Factoids are back!!!!   Lets just get started.

Happy Birthday (Sept. 8, 1903) Preston  Tucker – nice cars!!!

 

On Sept 9th 1935 Studebaker put the first car on a Pennsylvania RR rail car headed to NYC  but the final destination was London.  (Actually there were 163 cars in that shipment.)

These are what were shipped

These are what were shipped

studeexport

Studebakers on the ship headed for London

 

On September 13, 1945 Pontiac began producing cars again after WWII.   Well sort of. From 1946 to 1948, all Pontiac models were essentially 1942 models with minor changes – like interior and bright-work.  The next “all new” Pontiac was the 1949 model.

Looks a like the the '42 model you say? Yup.

Looks a like the the ’42 model you say? Yup.

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

TuffyEasternIA

The 1948 Tucker Torpedo was a unique model which sported 3 headlights! #tbt http://t.co/Zly6WuxBtG
j12s634

1948 Tucker Torpedo, ahead of its time….. http://t.co/U0wH1KLAJq
Documentary Tells the Real Tale of the Tucker Torpedo/48 [w …

Of all the great cars that could have been, the Tucker is right there at the very top of the list. Only around 50 cars were ever made, despite the fact that the company had the largest single-space factory in the world (at the time) …

 

 

 

 

Chrysler Town & Country K-car sells for $13,750 at Auburn | Hemmings Daily

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Chrysler Town & Country K-car sells for $13,750 at Auburn | Hemmings Daily.

A Woodie K-ar

A Woodie K-ar

 

While it’s hard to discount the Chrysler K-cars’ historical significance (they did, more or less, save the company under Lee Iacocca’s leadership), most owners viewed them as disposable transportation, to be driven to the point of failure and then discarded. Recently, however, survivor K-cars have been turning up at auctions with surprising selling prices, such as the 1983 Chrysler Town & Country Mark Cross convertible that drew a winning bid of $13,750 (including the 10 percent buyer’s premium) at last weekend’s Auctions America sale in Auburn, Indiana.

Collectible K-Cars?   Of course!!!!  But did the K-Car really save Chrysler?

Thanks for reading

Tim

The Ten Worst Convertibles Ever Made – Jalopnik

No Chrysler K Car Convertible (even if it was owned by Jon Voight)? Seriously, you’re going to include aftermarket jobs that nobody has ever heard of and not the infamous K Car? 6/08/12 11:49am. NovaloadUZundfolge. 1. L.
Troutdale Canfield: What A Parade!

And what a car Neil had prepared for us- a 1970’s Chrysler K car convertible. Apparently, the parade assembly folks had spotted this classic in front of the Handy Bros. Garage earlier that morning and asked Neil if the thing still …

The Life and Death and Life of the U.S. Auto Industry

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I had one of my readers send me this graphic.  Thought I’d share.

 

The Life and Death and Life of the U.S. Auto Industry.

The Life and Death (and Life) of the U.S. Auto Industry

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

us auto industry statisticsus auto industry statistics

Our Rice Blogs

The ability to extract auto industry statistics enlightenment, is with us auto industry statistics.We understand everything as concerns auto industry statistics. The effortless process to acquire director of photography clue is with …

It’s Not All about Cars – Words

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Every now and then it’s not about cars, racing or banging on car fenders.  But it’s always about Words.

Although this is a bit about cars, because this popped into my head when I was reading the book “A Most Unique Machine” by George S. May. Any excellent read if you like the history part of this passion of ours – cars.

In the book they grab excerpts of real period accounts and news articles about the dawn of the auto industry in the United States – which was mid morning to the rest of the world – as we were behind many European countries.

These excerpts came from a time when words stood lone.  Words like ‘marvelous’, ‘wonderful’ and ‘unique’.  The use of these words meant some thing back then.  They were reserved words, used to emphasize important events or objects. The word ‘unique’ really meant something special.  Here’s an example from the Detroit Journal:  ‘when in motion, the connecting rods fly  like lightning, and the machine is capable of running seven or eight miles an hours…a most unique machine.’

This excerpts is a description of Charles King’s evening joy ride in his gas powered horseless carriage in March of 1896.   Of his version of the car he said…”I am convinced they (horseless carriages) will in time supersede the horse.”

Back then words such as ‘fly like lightning’ or even words like ‘capable’ and ‘unique’ were as good as it got. If someone called you ‘capable’ that was high praise as was ‘unique’ and if you supersede someone or something it meant you were the best.  In today “drama – filled, I need attention writing these are lame words.

Can you image describing the winning top-fueled drag car – fast as lightning?    Certainly not (hell no) it would be friggin’ fast.

Words meaning have been muted by adjectives and adverbs.

Ok on to my next audacious, awesome filled, friggin’ outstanding article.

Thanks for reading,

Tim

king horseless carriage

Ruff Bolt and the King’s Horseless Carriage « Kids with Bricks

Here we have Ruff Bolt and the King’s Horseless Carriage. Ruff Bolt is a funny automatic controlled plane which can fly 10,000 km per second! The Kings Horseless Carriage is small, cozy, and pretty fast. Both Ruff Bolt and …
This Day In History For March 6, Michelangelo, Bayer, Oreo and …

King’s “horseless carriage” moved down Woodward Avenue to the surprise of pedestrians. The next day a local newspaper called it “a most unique machine.” King became the first Detroiter—and possibly the first …

Gary, Indiana, 1958 | Hemmings Daily

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Gary, Indiana, 1958 | Hemmings Daily.

 

I just had to share this photo from Hemmings.

I use to work at a Montgomery Ward back in the mid-70s in the automotive section. I hawked batteries, mufflers, shocks and stick-on compasses.

I use to work at a Montgomery Ward back in the mid-70s in the automotive section. I hawked batteries, mufflers, shocks and stick-on compasses.

So is it Montgomery Ward or Montgomery Wards? That little quirk of midwestern English gets so many English fundamentalists worked up, but as we can see from this photo of the parking lot of the newly opened Montgomery Ward(s) in Gary, Indiana, sometime in 1958, as found on Pleasant Family Shopping‘s excellent post on the mid-century history of the chain store, even the company seemed a little schizophrenic about its naming convention. What do you see here?

 

Thanks for reading

Timmontgomery ward automotive

Some night pictures – MercuryMarauder.net Forums

Worked there many years ago for a little extra money. If you look closely at this one you will notice the passenger side is a little off color wise, good ol DDM headlights. In front of a closed down Montgomery Ward Automotive.
Mall is reassessed at $16 million | The Augusta Chronicle

Montgomery Ward automotive shop would be perfect for maintenance on county vehicles and the cafeteria would be perfect for the jail kitchen. Parking would never be a problem and it is centrally located in Richmond county.

Car Feature: Jacobo Herrera’s Lincoln Is “The Missing Link” – RodAuthority.com

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Whether you like chopped, dropped or lowered car or not (they really aren’t my thing) you have to marvel at the workmanship that goes into one.  This Lincoln is unbelievable.

 

Car Feature: Jacobo Herrera’s Lincoln Is “The Missing Link” – RodAuthority.com.

 

When it comes to popular customs and lead sleds, one car stands above the rest as far as the most iconic in the industry, at least for most. After all, the 1949 Merc is no stranger to the hobby and finds itself accompanied by many of its same kind at virtually any show you attend. But just because the late 40s Mercury is one of the more notable lead sled designs amped up by today’s popularity doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have some stiff competition out there for the most gorgeous low-slung design.

AWESOME!

AWESOME!

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

custom carscustom cars

Sittin Pretti draws custom cars for charitable cause | SLIDESHOW

ARLINGTON — Hundreds of auto enthusiasts turned out again to generate thousands of dollars for the Arlington Boys & Girls Club at the annual Sittin Pretti Summer Slam car show at the Arlington Airport on Saturday, Aug. 17. “It’s been a pleasure to …

 

Curb Weight – Save the Drive-In’s

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Any one out there remember Drive-Ins?  I sure do. We went to more drive-in movies when I was a kid than we did theater movies.  I remember the back of our Chevy wagon and one of my favorite sounds was the sound of cars driving slowly over gravel.  It was great to stretch out in back with the seats folded down and watch the movie.  (I can even remember the list of the movies I saw back then.)

Drive-Ins

But as we all know – Drive-Ins are fading into the past, sadly.  However, there is an effort to save them.  I read the magazine AutoWeek ….I love this publication, and they had a piece that mentioned Project Drive-Ins.  Apparently, Honda is working on funding to replace the old film projectors with digital projection.

Check out the video and pass it on!!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

drive ins

Drive-ins still surviving

It’s a fun fact that might be hard to believe, but our region has the highest concentration of drive-in theaters of anywhere else in the country. Pennsylvania has the most theaters, followed closely by Ohio and New York. “Around here the drive-in was a …
Save The Drive-Ins By Voting

“I think it would be sad for our community because there is not a lot around in this small town,” said Jodi Tilo, Wants drive-ins open. “It would be very sad because I think it’s a great experience to come and watch movies. It brings back a lot of …
Honda wants to save America’s endangered drive-ins – CNBC.com

The Japanese car company has launched Project Drive-In, an effort to rescue at least some of the remaining theaters in the United States.

 

 

Curb Weight – Packard Wins – 09-02-13

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Curb Weight is frequent blathering of car stuff – current and maybe some old stuff.  I hope you enjoy it.

If you are a car show buff and painful attention of fender/door gaps is what you are into then you’ll be glad to hear that  a Packard 1106 Twelve won the Pebble Beach Concours car show.

The 1934 Packard started life as a Taxi in Puerto Rico.  That is a long road to winning a Concours event.

The winner.

The winner.

Other winners were:

1934 Hispano-Suiza J12 Vanvooren – what?

This –>

Best in Show

Best in Show

1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Va den Plas

Great looking car. Huge headlights

Great looking car. Huge headlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least a 1932 Lincoln KB

These are beautiful cars. This isn't the car that won, just an exsample

These are beautiful cars. This isn’t the car that won, just an example

 

Thanks for reading.

Tim

RuxtonAuto

Ruxton has been announced as a Featured Marque for the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Stay tuned for more info!
2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – Autoblog

The culmination of the 2013 Monterey car week took place yesterday at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Pebble Beach Concours: 1934 Packard Wins Best of Show …

Winner of Best of Show honors at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance was a 1934 Packard with Dietrich bodywork.

Vintage Hood Ornaments

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I love hood ornaments.  The big heavy chrome or chrome on pot-metal ones, that let you know that the car behind it was something special.

Now days if your car is lucky to have one,  your hood ornament will be a cheap chrome coated plastic with a flexible base.   But I’m betting, if you walk around to the front of your car and look at it straight on, you will fine a 2D plastic logo belonging fixed as part of your grille.

But the older ones helped identify the car and gave you an indication of what the engineers had as an inspiration for the building rest of the car.

I have a few.  Started  as a photo project my son started.  Check them out, I have them for no other reason than I liked them.

Check them out.

IMAG0159 IMAG0160 IMAG0161 IMAG0162 IMAG0163 IMAG0164 IMAG0165

I don’t have a favorite, well maybe the Chevy ornaments.

Got a couple laying around on or off a car?  Drop me a note.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

classic hood ornament

Addictions – The Classic Hood Ornament — D’Scoop

Addictions – The Classic Hood Ornament. March 8, 2013. I will admit to having many many addictions. Sadly, for most of them, there are absolutely no cures for my sort of addictions. Take toilets, for example. It’s a passion of mine to find the …

Read This: Three Chevrolets stolen from Monterey auctions

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Three Chevrolets stolen from Monterey auctions | Hemmings Daily.

Maybe we can find this cars before they’re chopped up.

Beware of where your parts come from.

These are the cars:

 

1957-Chevrolet-Bel-Air

1957-Chevrolet-Bel-Air

1961-Chevrolet-Impala

1961-Chevrolet-Impala

61-Impala-SS-700x456

61-Impala-SS