THE CLASSIC CARS THREAD (AKA Classic Car Magazine)

[Mikado]

I thought I'd put up a thread about classic cars, cars that were significant in one way or another, firsts, and cars that set trends in either function, or styling. I thought I'd start with the first gasoline-powered vehicle to be considered what we call a "car", made for sale to the public...the 3-wheeled 1886 Benz buggy

[Mikado]

.....I feel i should begin with at least a quick history of the early automobiles
Thus, the first powered vehicle, the CUGNOT STEAM TRACTOR
In 1768 ( thats right 239 years ago) French military engineer Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot built a self propelled vehicle for moving large artillery pieces. However, when he finally had a chance to show his work to his superiors in 1771 , the tractor (which was difficult to steer, thanks to the large boiler positioned IN FRONT of the steering gear) went off the road and crashed into a wall, thus ending France's chance to have the World's first mechanised Army! (And Cugnot also has the distinction of being in the first auto accident, in history!):lol:

[Fleet]

Those are probably a little too classic (old) for me. :D

[Mikado]

Those are probably a little too classic (old) for me. :D
What? Whats wrong with 2 horsepower? :lol: Anyway, I have to start somewhere! ;)

[Fleet]

What? Whats wrong with 2 horsepower? :lol: Anyway, I have to start somewhere! ;)

Okay, but try move up to 4 hp!

[Mikado]

Okay, but try move up to 4 hp!:rofl: ill try

[MonarC]

I love the cars from the 60's especally Chevy. :eek: Beautiful!

[Mikado]

At the turn of the last century, many people predicted that electric cars were the wave of the future...the more things change, etc.... The Baker was marketed as a Woman's car (Despite the male celeb owner of this particular car) and was driven from the REAR seat with a tiller! thats right, this car was the original backseat driver! The reason was, the passengers sat in small chair-like seats in the front corners, allowing them to chat face-to-face, with the driver, who watched the road ahead, by looking between them!:eek: (Ralph Nader wouldnt have approved!!!)

[MonarC]

:lol: Jay looks funny in that car.

[Mikado]

I love the cars from the 60's especally Chevy. :eek: Beautiful!
I will get to them....basically, I plan to mix cars and years up, and hopefully have something for everyone...i just wanted to start with a few really early cars , that is to say, give a little automotive history first! :)

[MonarC]

That's cool. I will stay tuned. :D

[Mikado]

THX :)

[Mikado]

The Stanley Bros of Newton Mass. built their steamcar in a small shop, they were the original "word of mouth" car. Not only did they not do much advertising, you had to get on a train to buy one cause they didn't deliver!!!....you had to go to the factory to buy one!!! This beautiful example had just finished a complete restoration in time for the show where I took these pics, the paint was barely dry!! You'll notice the condenser where the engine would be on a conventional car, on the steamer, the engine is underneath, where the oil pan would usually be found!

[MonarC]

Nice. Can we add our favorite pics to your thread? :)

[Mikado]

Nice. Can we add our favorite pics to your thread? :)
Sure, no problem! :)

[Mikado]

1901 Oldsmobile~ The Olds family was already in the farm engine building business for some time when young Ransom took his Father's company in a new direction with the World's first "mass produced" (Albeit not on a moving assembly line) automobile, the "Curved Dash" Oldsmobile. Ransom Eli Olds was later forced out of his company when the investors of the new GM company decided they wanted to make a larger "luxury" Olds, against his wishes. So, olds left GM to found REO cars (From his initials), a company best known today for their line of "REO Speedwagon" trucks. The REO car company died as so many did, during the Great Depression.

[MonarC]

1968 Was a great year for Chevy.:)


http://www.americaneaglewheel.com/images/gallery/ACFB4E0.jpg1968 Chevy Camaro


http://www.ezwayauto.com/images/black_truck1_large.jpg
1968 Chevy 350

http://www.joefuda.com/JoeFuda/1968ChevyElCamino.jpg
1968 Chevy El Camino

http://www.stevesclassicnovaparts.com/Dec06003.JPG
1968 Chevy Malibu

http://images.military.com/road/pics/rw_show_070309_1m-1.jpg

1964 Chevy Impala

[Mikado]

And that was Monarc's "CUSTOM CORNER" ;) (Personally, I'm into non customised)

[MonarC]

Well thanks for letting me share your space. :D

[Mikado]

no problem :) Like the name i gave your segment? If you put in anymore, you can call it that each time
Monarc's "CUSTOM CORNER" :D

[Mikado]

Next year FORD Motor Co. will be celebrating a huge event, the 100th anniversary of the car that turned Ford from just one of many car companies struggling to survive to one of the World's largest automakers, THE MODEL-T
In 1908, Ford came up with a car for the common man, at a time when most cars were toys for the rich, the car was simple, yet durable, cheap, yet used the newest techniques and materials......in 1915, the Model-T was first built on the moving automotive assembly line; meaning the cars could be built by the millions, and , by the end of the run in 1926, more than 15 million had been built, a record that lasted until eclipsed by the original VW Beetle in 1972
pic by Mikado

[dawsongirl]

Wouldn't want to get stuck in the rain in those cars! lol Or you'd have to hold an umbrella and drive. That's as bad as modern day cell phone drivers.

[dawsongirl]

1901 Oldsmobile~ The Olds family was already in the farm engine building business for some time when young Ransom took his Father's company in a new direction with the World's first "mass produced" (Albeit not on a moving assembly line) automobile, the "Curved Dash" Oldsmobile. Ransom Eli Olds was later forced out of his company when the investors of the new GM company decided they wanted to make a larger "luxury" Olds, against his wishes. So, olds left GM to found REO cars (From his initials), a company best known today for their line of "REO Speedwagon" trucks. The REO car company died as so many did, during the Great Depression.
Is that where the band got its name?

[Mikado]

Wouldn't want to get stuck in the rain in those cars! lol Or you'd have to hold an umbrella and drive. That's as bad as modern day cell phone drivers.
In those days, when most cars were "open" (or convertibles as we'd call them now) these cars came with "side curtains" that either snapped on or zipped in to offer weather protection through little plastic windows (Many modern speedboats offer similar curtains even today) While giving adequate weather protection, they were a dubious safety feature, as they cut visibility significantly!

[Mikado]

Is that where the band got its name?
It sure is.....it's also where they got their logo....right off the trucks!!
(Because they were relatively fast for the time, REO Speedwagons were very popular as fire engines!)

[Fleet]

And that was Monarc's "CUSTOM CORNER" ;) (Personally, I'm into non customised)
Me, too. I like them original.

[Mikado]

pic #1- Installing the engine #2 Installing the electrics and tightening the wheels #3 Final body instalation, which was done outside the building, at the time!:eek:
#4 one days production

[Mikado]

Henry Ford and his Son Edsel (driving) with the 15,000,000th T off the line

[Mikado]

2 things I really love in one pic....a great old car and Art-Deco styling!

[Ireneparalegal]

Fleet, you need to post your car pics.

[Mikado]

Fleet, you need to post your car pics.
Hey Irene! What do you think of it so far? (As youre the one person who knows how long I've been planning this thread :) )

[Ireneparalegal]

I love it. I love seeing the old cars. You really know your cars.

[Mikado]

I love it. I love seeing the old cars. You really know your cars.
Thx Irene :)
Im just wondering if i should change the name to SO Classic car magazine....just so everyone understands the thread itself is the magazine and not a thread ABOUT a car magazine! :lol:

[Mikado]

Another view of the 1886 Benz trike; note the one cylinder engine and horizontal flywheel. (Modern cars have vertical flywheels)

[MonarC]

no problem :) Like the name i gave your segment? If you put in anymore, you can call it that each time
Monarc's "CUSTOM CORNER" :D


WOW! Thanks. :yourock:

[Mikado]

WOW! Thanks. :yourock:
Just do me one favour, make sure the pic files arent too big, im on dial up :crazy:

[Ireneparalegal]

Thx Irene :)
Im just wondering if i should change the name to SO Classic car magazine....just so everyone understands the thread itself is the magazine and not a thread ABOUT a car magazine! :lol:
I think that would work better.

[MonarC]

1949 Mercury

http://www.gorzow.mm.pl/~bebelebe/1949%20Mercury%20Custom%20Street%20Rod.jpg

1940 Chevy Truck

http://www.vintageair.com/29below/29Below2006_lg_files/image011.jpg

1960 Cadillac El Dorado

http://www.jakcars.com/CARPICTURES/1960_CADILLAC/FRONTANGLE_1_500PXL.jpg

[Mikado]

That was Monarc's CUSTOM CORNER (pt 2)



I used to have a VW Rabbit that colour....I named it Blue Berry :lol:

[MonarC]

http://ca.geocities.com/relichunters_1/VW2.jpg


That's cute! :D

[Mikado]

Ok, what does everyone think?
Should i leave the name as it is, or, call it
THE CLASSIC CARS THREAD?< In line with the VW thread, Pontiac thread, etc

[MonarC]

Yeah that sounds good. But it's your thread so you should do what ever you want. :)

[Mikado]

:) Ok, maybe its not a classic but......it was cute! :lol:

[MonarC]

I bet you got great gas mileage. :cool:

[Ireneparalegal]

Yeah that sounds good. But it's your thread so you should do what ever you want. :)
Same. I agree.

[Ireneparalegal]

:) Ok, maybe its not a classic but......it was cute! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Mikado]

I bet you got great gas mileage.

Well, i had vent windows and a sunroof, so, not so good in summer! :lol:
What do you think of the new name? (I kept the old one on the side, to avoid confusion....I hope!)

[Ireneparalegal]

I like it!!!!

[Mikado]

Ok i think it works :D

[Mikado]

Harley Earl, the styling chief at GM during the Classic Era created the "Dream Cars" which were styling exercises that were meant to look into the future of Auto design. Mostly, these cars never made it past the car show circuits, but, many of the styling cues usually did; maybe 5-10 years down the line.
(The original Corvette is one dream car that DID make it to the public)

[MonarC]

:thumbsup:

[dawsongirl]

In those days, when most cars were "open" (or convertibles as we'd call them now) these cars came with "side curtains" that either snapped on or zipped in to offer weather protection through little plastic windows (Many modern speedboats offer similar curtains even today) While giving adequate weather protection, they were a dubious safety feature, as they cut visibility significantly!
Ohhh...didn't know that. Interesting. Glad they've come a long way since then.

[dawsongirl]

Another view of the 1886 Benz trike; note the one cylinder engine and horizontal flywheel. (Modern cars have vertical flywheels)
That doesn't look remotely comfortable. :lol: Better than walking miles though.

[dawsongirl]

http://ca.geocities.com/relichunters_1/VW2.jpg


That's cute! :D
I had a barbie car that looked like that! Except it was white.

[Mikado]

Ohhh...didn't know that. Interesting. Glad they've come a long way since then.
Yes, and today we have safety glass, at one time, cars had PLATE glass windows!!

[dawsongirl]

Harley Earl, the styling chief at GM during the Classic Era created the "Dream Cars" which were styling exercises that were meant to look into the future of Auto design. Mostly, these cars never made it past the car show circuits, but, many of the styling cues usually did; maybe 5-10 years down the line.
(The original Corvette is one dream car that DID make it to the public)
Wow....that's slightly scary.

[Mikado]

Dawson, did you catch my reply to your Q about REO Speedwagons?

[Ireneparalegal]

Harley Earl, the styling chief at GM during the Classic Era created the "Dream Cars" which were styling exercises that were meant to look into the future of Auto design. Mostly, these cars never made it past the car show circuits, but, many of the styling cues usually did; maybe 5-10 years down the line.
(The original Corvette is one dream car that DID make it to the public)
OMG, that thing is UGLY!!!!!!!!! :eek:

[Mikado]

That doesn't look remotely comfortable. :lol: Better than walking miles though.
Perhaps, but, a good athlete could probably outrun it! :lol:

[dawsongirl]

All hail the Vette!

1953. I don't really like this one...the front end looks like a bug and I hate the tail lights...but it led to better things. :)

[dawsongirl]

Dawson, did you catch my reply to your Q about REO Speedwagons?
Yes I did. I didn't even know there was a car company named REO. But it's nice to know the band name actually meant something.

[dawsongirl]

Yes, and today we have safety glass, at one time, cars had PLATE glass windows!!
:eek:

[dawsongirl]

1956 Vette. Slight Improvement. Can't see the back, but I didn't like it either. Glad they at least got rid of the pointy tail lights.

I like the coves.

[Mikado]

OMG, that thing is UGLY!!!!!!!!! :eek:
Well, it was pretty advanced for 1951...the fins and wrap around windsheild were used in later years (Not to mention the name)......the front is pretty awful though 2 More views of the LeSabre

[dawsongirl]

1958. I think the double headlights were better than the single.

[dawsongirl]

Well, it was pretty advanced for 1951...the fins and wrap around windsheild were used in later years (Not to mention the name)......the front is pretty awful though 2 More views of the LeSabre
I'm thinking Batmobile. lol Or some superhero who needs a fast getaway.

[dawsongirl]

Here's the back of a 59 Vette. UGLY.

[Ireneparalegal]

Well, it was pretty advanced for 1951...the fins and wrap around windsheild were used in later years (Not to mention the name)......the front is pretty awful though 2 More views of the LeSabre
Funny how back then, the way people assumed the future would be is SO NOT WHAT IT ENDED UP BEING. :eek: :lol:

[dawsongirl]

This here is one of my favs. They drove this model on Route 66. Back end looks soooooo much better than all previous years! 1961.

[Mikado]

I'm thinking Batmobile. lol Or some superhero who needs a fast getaway.
Actually, the Batmobile DID start out as a dream car, the 1955 Ford Futura
(The design was later applied (toned down) to the 1956-7 Lincolns)

[Ireneparalegal]

OMG you all really know your cars!!!!!!


That idea for the Batmobile, OMG that thing is terribly ugly!!!!!!! :eek:

[dawsongirl]

Actually, the Batmobile DID start out as a dream car, the 1955 Ford Futura
(The design was later applied (toned down) to the 1956-7 Lincolns)
Hey! Get out of my bubble! This is my space!


Like those housewives sitting in it would have driven that thing to the store. :lol:

[Ireneparalegal]

Like those housewives sitting in it would have driven that thing to the store. :lol:
:rofl: Exactly!

[Mikado]

OMG you all really know your cars!!!!!!
That idea for the Batmobile, OMG that thing is terribly ugly!!!!!!! :eek:
Actually, the Futura WAS the Batmobile, what happened was, in 1965, William Dozier (Batman producer) asked car customiser George Barris to come up with a Batmobile in 3 months; in order to save time, Barris bought the old Futura and converted it into the Batmobile by reworking the nose into a "batface", extending the fins and giving them bat scallops and adding a jet exaust to the rear and red piping all around, to hide the all the seams; then painted the whole thing black. there were also some fibreglass copies made for longshots and I believe all the Batmobiles still exist; George Barris still owns the original.

[Mikado]

We go from the Model-T to the other end of the spectrum, to the Duesenberg; the car so superior it became an expression! (It's a Duesie!)
Founded by two brothers, August and Frederic Duesenberg, this car company had only one goal.....to build the best car in the World! And, they did pretty much that, at a time when a Ford could be bought for about $350 the Duesie chassis alone cost $8500 (You would buy a chassis complete with bumpers lights fenders and grille and add a custom body to complete the car) and the completed cars could go for as high as $20000 (in 1925 dollars). The Duesie was basically a luxury car outside, and a street ready racecar under the skin...flip a switch to open the baffle and the car roars like the Duesenberg Indy racers it was based on!

The red car is the supercharged SSJ sports car that was once owned by Clark Gable

[Mikado]

The Gary Cooper SSJ

[Mikado]

All hail the Vette!

1953. I don't really like this one...the front end looks like a bug and I hate the tail lights...but it led to better things. :)
Really? I love the 53 'Vette....its identical to the original show car, but then, I love European sports car design! What most people dont realise is, the Nomad ALSO started out as a 1954 'Vette WAGON (part of a line of 4 Corvette dream cars, see second pic) before it became a Belair-based production model in 1955

[Mikado]

Full line of Vettes for 1954 ....only the open sports car made it to production.....also a modern concept based on the 1954 Nomad

[MonarC]

Nice cars keep it up. :jig:

[Mikado]

And of course, the production 1955 Nomad (No longer Corvette-based)

[Mikado]

It was the first American car to have an all-steel body frame and roof, the first to have a unit body (which most cars do today, but it was unheard of, at the time), the first car with "between the wheels" seating for a softer ride (which wouldnt be the norm until after WW2) and the first car with true aerodynamics.......unfortunately, the car was thwarted by "controversial" styling (Probably more acceptable today than it was in 1934) and a nasty ad campaign by GM who asked whether all steel was REALLY safer.....of course, GM would come out with all steel cars of their own, just 2 years later!:rolleyes:
These pics were taken by me at a Chrysler dealership in 1987; of a car that had been sitting in a garage for 20 years. If I'd had the money they wanted for it, id have gladly snapped it up, as it was complete and apparently running, needing nothing but a good WASH to make it perfect!!!

[Mikado]

34 Airflow....2 more views

[coffield3]

Amazing cars :)

[Mikado]

By 1937, the styling had become more conventional, with a grille that looked more like those on other cars and the rear lost its kicked up tail, to be replaced by a "trunkback", however, it was too late. Sadly, after 4 seasons of failing sales, mainly due to undeserved bad publicity and styling that was just too different, the Airflow program was cancelled; and the world's most advanced car was no more.
pictures by Mikado

[Mikado]

Amazing cars :)
thx Clare....I want to do more than just show hot rods :)

[MonarC]

And of course, the production 1955 Nomad (No longer Corvette-based)


I like this one.

[Mikado]

I like this one.
i like the Airflows better (especially the 1934 model).....I'm into quirky cars :) hehe

[Mikado]

Back in the classic era, automobiles had unique hood decorations that evolved from the earlier exposed radiator caps, here's a few:
Mid 30s Plymouth "Mayflower"
2 views of 1926 Pontiac "Chief"
1948 Pontiac "Chief"
1934 Chrysler Airflow (the entire car can be seen above #81, 82)
1950 Oldsmobile 88 "World Globe"

pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

In the early 50s, Olds came up with the idea of putting their big new V8 engine in a smaller, lighter car, and the first "Muscle car" was born, The Olds "Rocket 88"! (This is the 1950 model)
pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

1929 was the year the stock market crashed, but, that wasnt until late in the year. Little did anyone know it was coming when this car was brand new and all seemed so properous for everyone! Wasnt 1929 a great year for Packard?
pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

:)

[Mikado]

If someone were to ask you, "How did automotive pioneer David Dunbar Buick make his fortune?" most people would likely answer "With the Buick car?" , and, they'd be totally WRONG....D.D. Buick (1854-1929) made his fortune when he invented a process to bond white ceramic to iron, and invented the modern bathtub and sink, unfortunately, he was as poor at running a car company as he was good at making plumbing fixtures; by 1902 he was making cars, and by 1906, having become bankrupt twice, his company was taken over by GM; he died penniless, at 74 while working as a shop teacher.

DD Buick and the 1908 Buick and Buick-McLaughlin (Buicks built in Canada under licence by the McLaughlin carriage company of Oshawa)

[Mikado]

The 1939, 1940 and 1941 Buicks....notice how the grill started to spread out over those years pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

This is more what people think of when they think Buick...portholes on the fenders, and a toothy grill!:) pic by Mikado

[Mikado]

It was called "Welcome to the World of tomorrow", the art-deco NY World's Fair, among the exibits were a robot, the first electric dishwashers and a Pontiac made of plexiglass! This car still existed 20 years ago, the plastic body had yellowed and cracked, but, it was still sound, and the white rubber tires still were inflated ( I had a classics cars magazine with a photo feature on it at the time ), I expect it still exists, but, i can't say for sure.

[Mikado]

In the late 40s VW built (or rebuilt?) the most modern and most automated factory in the World from the rubble of the KDF works (VWs Nazi-era name)

[Mikado]

THE CHRYSLER IMPERIAL
pic by Mikado

[Mikado]

The dream of all car collectors, they say, is to find a complete old car just sitting in a barn, i found this in a garage.....pretty close!!! (The car is a 195X (?) Olds Rocket 88)

[Mikado]

In 1938, Cadillac came out with a new smaller model that was everything the larger Caddys werent, it was smaller, lower, shorter, sportier and faster.....plus, it introduced a styling fad that would last into the 1970s, the "Hartop convertible" (Convertible look without the canvas top)....The car was so popular, that people were willing to pay a large premium over the retail price to make sure they got one, as the demand was far ahead of production!

[Mikado]

Something special for the 100th post (pics by Mikado)

Firebird 1 .....The original Firebirds were a series of 1950s GM jet-turbine show cars......while F1 was a bit car a bit jet fighter, F2 was ALL jet!!!

[Mikado]

Firebird 2..more jet than car!

[Mikado]

:crazy: :lol:

[Mikado]

At the turn of the last century, the Packard Brothers bought their first car, a Winton, and found it to be quite defective.......they wrote the factory to complain and got a snarky reply from Mr Winton himself :"If you think you can do better, then go ahead and build your own car!" And the rest is, as they say, history!

[Mikado]

This is the 1903 Packard, a car superior to Winton's? Well, maybe not yet, but, it wouldnt be long! In 1903, Packard didnt yet have the familiar "Ox yoke" grill (like the yellow car at the top of the page) that would identify the brand for the next 50 years

[Mikado]

In the 20s and early 30s, Packard was known as one of the "3 Ps" of luxury along with Pierless and Pierce-Arrow cars....cars that made the Cadillac look like a pauper's car, by comparison, long and sleek and featuring the classic "Ox-Yoke" grill ...Beautiful cars, for beautiful people, or, as the ads said
: "Ask the man who owns one!"

[Mikado]

During the 20s and into the 30s, Packard experimented with beautiful shapes and styles; but, the great depression would soon bring the good times crashing down and set the scene for the most radical Packards ever.

[Mikado]

In late 1929 , a horrendous stock market crash begat the worst economic depression in history; luxury car makers like Packard quickly fell one after the other, and it would take a small miracle for the company to survive, and the first attempt at a more "affordable" car was an unforgettable yet doomed beauty, the 1932 (only) Packard 900, nicknamed "shovelnose". The 900 has often been called the most beautiful car in Packard history, it was however a total failure because, it was made with the same care of the hand-made Packards, and thus very expensive to produce, yet was priced much lower than the Senior cars...Packard lost money on every one they sold, so they would have to be replaced!

[Mikado]

After the failure of the Light 8, Packard decided the only chance for survival was a Packard in "Buick territory", affordable luxury. Thus was born the first true "assembly line" car in the company's history, the upper-mid priced Packard 120 (available in 8 and later 6 cylinder versions), this car would indeed save the company from the depression, but also doom the car after WW2 when people would demand true luxury cars once more. pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

Going into the early 40s, Packard decided to replace the 120 with their first true "Art-Deco" design, the futuristic Clipper; at the time they probably didnt realise that this car was a mistake, in the long term; as after the war, all Packards would be Clipper-based while rival Cadillac would go back to making luxo-boats and take over the luxury car market from that time on.
shown: early and late model Clippers

[Mikado]

Sales of the original Clipper were winding down at the end of the 40s and Packard needed a new design, unfortunately, while Cadillac was bringing out the beautiful long, lower new Caddys with the Worlds first automotive tailfins, Packard brought out the short, high roofed 1951 "High Pockets" model and pretty much doomed the company.
Shown 51 ad and 1954 sedan (pics by Mikado)

[Mikado]

In 1955, Packard brought out a last-ditch effort to bring the brand back to its former glory. Although still based on the high pockets body, the cars were stretched and lowered into the prettiest cars the company had produced in years; they were however a "stopgap" car awaiting the new long and low 57s that were in the planning stages; but, which were sadly never built.

pics 1955 and 1956 Packard Carribean convertible (the top of the line car in those two years) also shown, a drawing of the proposed (but never built) long. low 1957 Packard "Cadillac fighter"

[Mikado]

Strangely, in 1957, there WAS a car with the Packard name, it was however, a Studebaker in disguise: a Studebaker redesigned with 55 Packard design cues , such as the grill, side-trim and tailights (When 55-56 Packard designer Richard A. Teague saw the results, he commented that seeing his beautiful Packard tailights on that "Tired old Studebaker body" was "Enough to make a maggot vomit!" :lol: )

[Mikado]

Here's a pic of the 57 Packard and Studebaker side-by-side, you can see how the "Packardbaker" as it was called by critics was created from the "Studie"

Pic left to right- 1957 Packard /1957 Studebaker

[Mikado]

In 1958, Packard made its final appearance as an automobile, still based on the Studie, there wasnt money to properly engineer the new quad headlights every new car debuted that year, so, a quick-fix headlight pod was tacked on, along with weird double tailight fins, the result was a horrendous way to end a legacy of more than 55 years of classic cars.
pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

Here's a few Packards that never were, but might have been, had the company managed to hang on just a few more years.

pics: 1955 "Request" show car/ 1956 Packard "Pedictor" (the car that inspired the Black Bess prototype)/ "Black Bess" , the prototype for the car that would have been the 1957 "Cadillac beater", had it ever been built...the day it was cut up by the staff, Packard's future was sealed.

[Mikado]

Well, I hope you found that Packard history interesting; I'd really appreciate any feedback on this thread- Mikado :)

Next up: More wonderful classics (And anyone whod like to post here , go ahead, the more the merrier!)

[Mikado]

Thx Tara...did you read the article? ;)

[Mikado]

The 1949 Ford was a last minute decision, but, turned out to be the most important car in the company's history. Ford was virtually bankrupt after WW2 thanks to horrible management tecniques instituted by company founder Henry Ford, it was his Grandson, Henry II (Well, at the suggestion of his mentor Ernest Breech) who ordered that the 49 Ford should be all-new, and it was!

[MonarC]

Those are some nice curves. Thx. :wave:

[Mikado]

1958 Thunderbird "Squarebird" Reviled at the time for replacing the classic 2-seater T-bird, it has to be admitted that it was a good looking car, in its own right (Note the Laker Tadousac sailing the Welland canal in the background)

1959 Skyliner, retractable hardtop convertible ( All-steel roofed convertible): While interesting to look at, the roof opening mechanism was a disaster to fix, and needed fixing often; also, it stole valuable trunk space; A VW Beetle had more storage space than this long, low automobile!
pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

During the Great Depression, EL Cord was doing all he could to save the Auburn-Cord-Deusenberg automobile company; he was however a dreamer, and, instead of offering dirt-cheap luxury transportation like other luxury makers of the time; he decided to stay the course with some of the most amazing, beautiful, expensive and futuristic autos of the day........enter the 1936-37 Cords!

shown 1937 Cord 810 Phaeton (812s were Supercharged and have flex tube exaust pipes coming out ofthe hood sides.)

[Mikado]

The 810-812 were often called "coffin noses", thanks to their clamshell hoods; they were the first series cars with retracting headlights. They also featured a kind of early automatic transmission where you could select the next gear simply by pushing a button, hitting the clutch and releasing.

shown Supercharged Cord 812 exterior and interior

[Mikado]

The coupe-sedan

[Mikado]

In 1937, the Great Depression finished the A-C-D auto company and with it the Cord itself, it wasnt however the end of the beautiful Cord body as Graham-Huppmobile (Itself in dire straights) bought the dies and tools to make the body panels and came out with the 1940 Hollywood, a Cord without the expensive features ( the Hollywood was the same car body, without the hidden headlamps, coffin nose grille, front wheel drive or semi-automatic), this would however be even more short lived than the Cord , as G-H would soon go out of business also.

[Mikado]

The Cord drives off into the fog of history (pic altered by Mikado :lol:)

[MonarC]

Wow! Beautiful cars. :)

[Mikado]

Thx MonarC :D I hope the information was also helpful

[Mikado]

taken by me, at the annual Port Colborne classic car show

[Mikado]

Sadly, this car was about to be sold to a man who planned to hot rod it, and was at its last car show in its original form :( (I HATE HOTRODDERS WHO DESTROY CLASSICS!!!! :mad:)

[Mikado]

1938 Dodge grill

[Mikado]

The title of my last post was a take-off on the song "The most beautiful girl in the world" :D hehe

[Mikado]

1940 Chevrolet......my Grampa loved these cars!
pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

1958 Fleetwood

[Mikado]

This is a new segment I call "Crash" , i'll post period pics of classic cars that have had a little "mishap" sometimes with a humourous caption...although not this first one, which has little to laugh about.
This is the interior of what seems to be a late 30s Pontiac, notice how the straight steering column was a terrible danger to the driver

[coffield3]

:eek: Some great pictures there!

[Mikado]

:eek: Some great pictures there!
THX I guess I took about 2/3 of them over the years, others i find online of in magazines.

[Mikado]

In 1955, GM went against it's usual policy and brought out a TOTALLY new car, both in styling AND engineering....usually a new body would have tried and true mechanics or, youd have the new mechanics under a familiar body style, but, in 1955, Chevrolet went for broke and brought out it's first V8 and all-new styling......in 1956 the body would be mildly facelifted ( the '56 was rather ugly by comparison) and then given a major facelift in 1957 to become the most popular Chevy with collectors of all time; together, these 3 years would be nicknamed "THE HOT ONES" by Chevy fans.....well, unless they were a 6-cylinder sedan like the car pictured here! :lol:

1955 Chevrolet 6 Sedan

[Mikado]

In 1938, George Herman (AKA Babe) Ruth had a little "incident" in his 1936 Oldsmobile with another car, and a wall, in NJ......he looked apon this as only a minor problem and went new car shopping the next day! :crazy:

[Mikado]

a couple vintage pickups photos by Mikado

[Mikado]

I love the colour! pic by Mikado

[Mikado]

DeSOTO WAS COOLER THAN A PENGUIN IN A REFRIDGERATOR

[Mikado]

In the late 1940s, Willys got the exclusive rights to the Jeep name; and soon brought out a civilian version of the little Army truck.....However, by the 1950s, they decided to expand the model line; here's 2 results of that decision

The red car is the Jeepster "sports car" Jeep and the " beach car" Surrey..... neither car lasted long on the market, the 3rd new Jeep, the station wagon lasted over 20 years

[Mikado]

BUT FAILED IN THE MARKETPLACE (Due to bad engineering)
THE CORVAIR
In 1959, Chevrolet brought out the Corvair, it had a rear-engine flat 6 inspired by the VW Beetle, the car was small, peppy and dangerous to drive, thx to a roll-bar that was eliminated to save money on the base price...Ralph Nader had a field day attacking this car; by 1967, the "bugs" were worked out and it was a safe, beautiful sporty car, but, it was too late to get over a bad reputation and was replaced by the new Camaro pony car.

THE DELORIAN
John C Delorian (A former executive at Pontiac....reputed to have created the GTO) had a dream of a fast, futuristic gull-winged sports car, however, a lack of money, poor engineering and a work force that cut corners' led to a too-high price, constant quality problems and banruptcy. Given time and money, perhaps the car could have been improved but, the low demand would never have made it profitable.
Pics by Mikado

[Fleet]

BUT FAILED IN THE MARKETPLACE (Due to bad engineering)
THE CORVAIR
In 1959, Chevrolet brought out the Corvair, it had a rear-engine flat 6 inspired by the VW Beetle, the car was small, peppy and dangerous to drive, thx to a roll-bar that was eliminated to save money on the base price...Ralph Nader had a field day attacking this car; by 1967, the "bugs" were worked out and it was a safe, beautiful sporty car, but, it was too late to get over a bad reputation and was replaced by the new Camaro pony car.

THE DELORIAN
John C Delorian (A former executive at Pontiac....reputed to have created the GTO) had a dream of a fast, futuristic gull-winged sports car, however, a lack of money, poor engineering and a work force that cut corners' led to a too-high price, constant quality problems and banruptcy. Given time and money, perhaps the car could have been improved but, the low demand would never have made it profitable.
Pics by Mikado
I never cared for either car. The Corvairs were small (a bad thing for me), the base engine was very slow (a 20+ sec 1/4 mile), and had a worse-than-average repair record. The styling was bland (for me)... compare with a '68 Dodge Charger. Even the turbocharged Corvairs were slower in a 1/4 mile than a 2-bbl V-8 Dodge Dart or Chevy Nova. I would definitely take a Camaro over Corvair! Especially an SS 396 Camaro.

As for the DeLorean, it had a ridiculously underpowered engine (less than 200 hp), which is strange considering its "sports car" styling. My '69 Cadillac would easily smoke that car in a drag race!

[Mikado]

Well, if you want to feature a few muscle cars Fleet, be my guest, the only reason i havent posted any is that i'm more of an expert on prewar cars (And prefer their styling to anything after 1957)

[Mikado]

This Jaguar XKE was taken with the first 35mm film I ever bought after getting my first real camera (A 35mm Canon TLB that was later stolen)
This was probably the last time I bought B&W film! :lol:

[Mikado]

:)

[Mikado]

Ironically, i was at a carshow when I heard a loud crash at the mini-mall next door......ok, the car isnt really a classic but, it shows you should never be TOO careful when parking! :lol:

[Mikado]

The Sunbeam Tiger was a Sunbeam Alpine with a Ford V8 Engine crammed under the "bonnet" (Thats hood to you)
the Alpine looked nearly identical but, had 4 cylinder power
Strangely, despite the Ford Powertrain, the car was sold in North America by Chrysler

[Fleet]

This Jaguar XKE was taken with the first 35mm film I ever bought after getting my first real camera (A 35mm Canon TLB that was later stolen)
This was probably the last time I bought B&W film! :lol:
This is the first car I took a photo of with my own camera. From June, 1983. I've taken some before this, but not with my camera...
A 1971 Dodge Charger R/T with the big 440-Magnum engine.

[Mikado]

Looks like it was in pretty good shape for something that would have been considered a used car at the time (But, worth a ton at Barett-Jackson now)

[Fleet]

Looks like it was in pretty good shape for something that would have been considered a used car at the time (But, worth a ton at Barett-Jackson now)
Yeah, it would be worth a lot now. I sometimes wonder what happened to it.

[Mikado]

probably driven into the ground by some kid :lol:

[Fleet]

probably driven into the ground by some kid :lol:
Maybe.
The owner, though, was about 30 years old.

[Mikado]

yeah but, he probably handed it down to his son :lol:

[Mikado]

What you see here is 1/2 a model-T Ford that apparently was sliced in half by the larger T sedan shown to the left. thats one way to save on high gas prices :rolleyes: (Note remains of steering wheel on the steering column)

[Mikado]

You rarely see detached fenders now, must have made fender benders much easier to repair... i love the art deco plymouth "Mayflower" hood ornament, and the way its mimicked by the radio antenna! In fact, the whole car seems to be swept back like the hood ornament

[Mikado]

Trains-1 Cars-0

[Mikado]

"I'll Give You 8 Cases Of "empties" For That Old Plymouth!" ;)
pic by Mikado

[Mikado]

A couple more old Mopars (In somewhat better shape)
pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

First off a 1941 at a Toronto Auto Auction, followed by 2 views of a 1959 panoramic rear window coupe

[Mikado]

Ok, I admit it, I havent any idea what this absolutely beautiful Art-Deco car is... For whatever reason, i didnt bother to take any close-ups of the badge id on the car, and can't find it online either.......(I can't remember where I took the pics, either, for that matter)......Anyway, if anyone recognises what this car is, let me know! :lol:

[Mikado]

They were only made from 1957-59, but, the Ford "true" hardtop convertible is now a revered classic, Ford buffs generally consider 1958 to be an ugly duckling, but, i love them. (Maybe because my Uncle had one when I was a small child, and he used to take me for rides along the canal in it! :) ) pic by Mikado

[Mikado]

Rules of the road #125 Don't park on a police motorcycle :crazy:

[Mikado]

If you know anything about Picasso, you should "get" the joke! ;)

[Mikado]

Built by Cadillac, the LaSalle would be eliminated in 1941 for a "real" Cadillac (Which was really a LaSalle in all but name) because people were willing to pay more for the Cadillac name. I believe this to be a '31 model Pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

a 1936 OLDSMOBILE SEDAN &
a 1936 BUICK SERIES 40 3 WINDOW COUPE
Pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

On July 3, 1909 the first Hudson model "20" rolled off the assembly line in Detroit, Michigan. The car bore the name of its new manufacturer's primary financial backer, J. L. Hudson -- founder of the department store empire that still exists to this day......Hudsons were high quality cars, and expensive to produce, this was a curse, as they couldnt compete with the larger volume companies like Ford & GM. By 1957, after forming American Motors, by merging with Nash, the Hudson would ride off into history.

Shown 1939 Hudson pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

During the war years, Hudson managed with defense contracts as did other automakers, and came back postwar with cars like this one, with unique styling.....something Hudson was known for.
Pic by Mikado

[Mikado]

In the end, Hudson was killed by 2 things , the best car/most advanced car in it's history (It was just too difficult to update) and the lack of money for a V8 engine to compete with Ford & GMs new low priced V8s. The car was called the Hudson Hornet, sleek, fast (for a 6) and, it had a step-down unibody.......in many ways, it was a car 30 years ahead of its time. For a short time, it would dominate the stock car races, then fade out as quickly as it came.
Shown, 1951 model- pics by Mikado

[Mikado]

The REO car company was created by Ransom E Olds, after he was ousted from GM (Oldsmobile); the Wolverine was an attempt to make a smaller "hot rod" REO.....today the defunct company is best remembered for its REO SPEEDWAGON trucks

[Mikado]

In the USA, a 1940 model would be considered a pre-war car, but, here in Canada, the war started in the fall of 1939, as we were then still part of the British Empire. Here's a cute little Ford with some great ART-DECO touches such as the red-painted notches on the bumpers and guards and the "chevron" tailights (Apparently the car was at least a lieutenant) :lol:

[*ClassicPinUp*]

In the end, Hudson was killed by 2 things , the best car/most advanced car in it's history (It was just too difficult to update) and the lack of money for a V8 engine to compete with Ford & GMs new low priced V8s. The car was called the Hudson Hornet, sleek, fast (for a 6) and, it had a step-down unibody.......in many ways, it was a car 30 years ahead of its time. For a short time, it would dominate the stock car races, then fade out as quickly as it came.
Shown, 1951 model- pics by Mikado
Nice looking car! We have a place around here called "Old Town" and they have a classic car show every weekend and I've seen a few of those only they were in red and black.

[Mikado]

Nice looking car! We have a place around here called "Old Town" and they have a classic car show every weekend and I've seen a few of those only they were in red and black.
Well, next time you go, take a camera and you can post some pics here (If you can, try to get a little info on the cars.) :)

[*ClassicPinUp*]

Well, next time you go, take a camera and you can post some pics here (If you can, try to get a little info on the cars.) :)
We're going again soon so I will do that. :) They have some beautiful classic cars.

[Mikado]

Great, i cant wait :)

[Mikado]

AN OLDSMOBILE SUCKING A LEMON.... This was probably the most famous of the many unflattering descriptions given to Ford's Buick fighter of the late 50s. In the mid 50s, Ford realised there was a "need" to plug the gap between Ford's 3 car lines and GMs 5. In response, Ford decided to bring out a "new" car company with a 2 tier lineup. (One car would be Ford-based the other based on the Mercury, to save money on costs......they would be known as "E" cars, until a permanent name could be picked) Here we see Edsel Ford's 3 sons; none of which was very happy about having their father's name on the car, they were afraid it might taint his good name. A few years later, when that turned out to be SO true, Henry Ford the second would fire his mentor Ernie Breech , whod given the car it's name; some say that was the reason he lost his job!

[Mikado]

Rather than create 2 new divisions, Ford decided to create one, that would feature the same car, on two price levels.....a Ford-based Edsel to compete with Olds and a Mercury-based Buick fighter. In the planning stages, the car was called the E project, but, at that time, "E" didnt stand for anything....maybe Ford wishes it had stayed that way! The people at Ford spent a lot of time and money trying to come up with the name, and many such as Cougar, Ranger and Pacer were considered; all of which would find their way on cars one day. Things got so bad that they hired poetess Marianne Moore who came up with (amongst others) "Intelligent Bullet", "Mongoose Civique", "Varsity Stroke", "Pastelogram" , "Andante con Moto", and worst of all, "Utopian Turtletop"! :rofl: Strangely, none of these were chosen! :rofl:
In the end, company President Ernie Breech declared that the car would be named after the founders son, Edsel B Ford.....Much to the horror of his surviving family! shown, the 1958 Edsel

[Mikado]

The Edsel had 3 things going against it BESIDES it's ugly looks and name:

1- The mid-priced car market it was created for, in the early 50s', had shrunk considerably by 1958
2- The news of the new Ford car was leaked much too early (The campaign began more than 2 years before it was revealed in late '57), by the time it appeared, most people had lost interest
3- The Edsel had no real line assembly of its own, each one was built as an UNPAID EXTRA job on the Ford or Mercury line...every hour, for instance, the Ford line would build 60 Fords and one extra Edsel, for the same pay! (This meant that most Edsels were built quickly and often with parts missing that would be put into the trunk for DEALERS TO HANDLE!!!)
The 1958 Edsel....ugly from ANY angle!

[Mikado]

The wheelcaps on the 1958 Edsel were deliberately designed to resemble roulette wheels.....to give the car a look of sophistication and wealth that they were hoping would attract affluent buyers.......of course all they really succeeded in doing was to make a tacky car look tackier :rolleyes:

[TJL]

I had a 1978 Chevrolet Camaro after I got out of High School.

Man I loved that car. Mine was the same color as the car in this photo.

[Mikado]

I had a 1978 Chevrolet Camaro after I got out of High School.

Man I loved that car. Mine was the same color as the car in this photo.
I drove one once, it was a 6 though, NO power

[Mikado]

I had a 1978 Chevrolet Camaro after I got out of High School.

Man I loved that car. Mine was the same color as the car in this photo.
Have you ever considered buying a used one and restoring it? (You seem to be the kind of person whos good with tools)

[Mikado]

Strangely, after a very unsuccessful 1958 model, Ford brought out a new Edsel for '59......it used the same body shell as the '58, but, the worst parts of the car were somewhat subdued......unfortunately, what made the car distinctive was gone, but, what made it ugly, was still there! :lol:

[TJL]

Have you ever considered buying a used one and restoring it? (You seem to be the kind of person whos good with tools)

I have always wanted to have that car again, and I have thought of restoring one, but over the years I have lost interest in cars.

I haven't owned one in over ten years since I moved to New York City.

[Mikado]

Oh thats right, you live in NY where most people dont have cars

[Mikado]

After 2 years of failure, Ford brought out a 1960 model, but, it was really justa rebadged Ford....ironically, it was the first Edsel that was actually well-styled, but, it was too little, too late! Robert MacNamara (Who would soon move on to become sec. of state for pres Kennedy and Johnson) , then vice-pres of FoMoCo, (and who was said to hate big cars anyway), would pull the plug on the Edsel and divert the production facilities to his personal project, the compact Ford Falcon.......the Edsel would never return, but, would haunt Ford from that time on!

[Mikado]

I thought it would bea good postscript to give a little info on the man that the car was named for: EDSEL BRYANT FORD


Edsel was born in 1894, 2 years before his father Henry built his first car to Henry and Clara (nee Bryant) Ford (He would prove to be the only child Henry Ford and his wife would have). He grew up in the car business and dreamed of being a designer; however, in 1919, he was given the presidency of Ford and got ready to run what was then the worlds largest car company. Sadly, his father would never really let Edsel take the reigns of the company hed built and would kneecap almost every decision Edsel made, from his seat as CEO. Fortunately for Edsel, he had one consolation, his father had little interest in design, so, along with his friend Bob Gregory, the Ford styling dept did wonders, despite antiquated engineering underneath. Eventually, Henry's machinations took their toll and Edsel who was a sensitive, artistic man, developed severe ulcers, most likely due to his treatment by his father, which became cancerated and eventually led to an early death in 1943.
Edsel left a loving wife in Elenor Clay and 4 children (Henry II, Benson, Bill and a daughter Josephine) who would blame their Grandfather for his death.

Pics:
Edsel Ford &
Two of the greatest designs by Bob Gregory and Edsel, the 1936 Lincoln Zephyr (shown with Edsel and Henry Ford) and the Zephyr-based Continental

[Mikado]

....TILT STEERING WHEELS ARE NOTHING NEW?
Here, on an old Dodge, I found a steering wheel that could unlock and tilt up......of course, this was only used when the car was stopped to make getting in and out of the car easier as the large wheels of the day litterally kept the driver pinned to the seat :lol:

[Mikado]

SQUARE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1930s?

In 1939, Plymouth had square headlights, some 25 years before they became commonplace (for a while, during the mid 70s to early 80s). In 1940, Plymouth would return to round headlights

[Mikado]

the first prototype for the VW Beetle looked remarkably similar to the prototypes of the Chrysler Airflow?

Beetle prototype #1

Airflow prototype #1

Airflow prototype #2

[Mikado]

For at least ten years, this car would show up everywhere around town, each summer, the car is a 1938 Hudson Touring car with a pretty weird paint job.....I don't know if it was sold to an out of town buyer or if the owner left town, but, i never see it anymore.

[Mikado]

#1- Art-Deco styling

[Mikado]

#2 Hood onaments (both of these were offered by Packard in the 1930s)

[Mikado]

#3 SIDECURTAINS
At the time when what we now call convertibles were called "open" cars, rain and snow was kept out by "sidecurtains" which zippered or snapped in....while pretty much extinct by 1937 on American cars, they were seen on Brit sportscars well into the 60s

[Mikado]

#4 The CRANKHOLE
Until 1939, most cars had a hole through the radiator casing, bumper or front valance panel that gave the driver the ability to crank over the engine manually, as you would have a Model-T Ford, electric starters made the hole obsolete, but, i have to admit, sometimes, during a cold winter spell, i wish I had one since car batteries and winter weather don't mix

[Fleet]

I would like to own this car...:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghsg-HCOjbY

In a pinch, I would settle for a 440 or 383.

[Mikado]

I remember the Super Bees, with their little Bee decals and wide whitewalls :cow: yup yup!

[Mikado]

Rounded Art-Deco portholes and Pod head lamps

[Mikado]

SIDEMOUNTED SPARES, With the exception of some modern "retro classics", cars today simply dont have spare tires mounted into each front fender, just ahead of the running boards......instead, all we have today are those silly little spacersavers! :barf:

[Mikado]

Cowl lights and external horns

Cowl lights disappeared in the late 30s to make cars more aerodynamic, they were replaced by flush-set "parking lights" which evolved into the modern turn signals

Today, cars have the horns tucked behing the grille......somehow, it's not nearly as classy as an external horn

[Mikado]

And of course, the almighty "Rumble seat" ..Legend has it that the term comes from what people DID in those seats, but, its really cause you could feel the rumble from the axle dirrectly below :lol: Today, i doubt safety regulations would ever allow the rumble seat to make a comeback, but, who really wants to sit in the trunk anyway? ;)

[Mikado]

EXTERNAL SUNSHADES!
Today, when you want to get the sun out of your eyes, while driving, you just bring down the convenient sunshade that folds up into the headliner of your car, but, there was a time that you'd have had to stop the car, open the door and do it from the outside! While the old shades were probably more fashionable, for convenience, the modern version has it all over the old style!

[Mikado]

It was 100 years ago today, Mr Ford taught the World to play....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On March 19th 2008, a historically significant anniversary passed without any real fanfare; namely the 100th anniversary of the public introduction of the Model-T Ford; the car that, more than any, put the World on wheels. Contrary to popular perception, Henry Ford did not invent the automobile, nor was the Model-T the first mass-produced auto, it was however, the first car to be mass produced on a moving assembly line, however, that wasnt until 1913!
When Ford began producing cars in 1903, he was building "toys for the rich", as were other auto makers of the time; however, in the back of his mind, he was planning something new, a car for the masses......even if he had to fight every other director in his company to do so!(And he did, of course) What made the T unique, for it's day, was that it offered so much more, for so much less money! At a time when fenders, doors, windsheilds and even headlights were optional on most cars, they were standard on the Ford, not to mention 4 cylinders, which beat Fords "low-priced" competion, most of which made due with 1 or 2 cylinder engines! (And, while most other cars of the day were made of wood, iron and thin sheet steel, the Ford was made of the finest alloy materials!)
Thus, by 1913, a full half of the cars in the World were Model-T Fords;
which led to a new problem, they couldnt make enough of them to match orders. the answer was to be the production line; supposedly modelled on the conveyor belt system of the Chicago slaughter houses.....only, in reverse!!
(Instead of taking animals apart as they moved along a line, Ford planned to put Ts together!) The line led to riches all around , both for the Ford motor co and to Ford workers; and led to the mass-produced World that we live in today!
Model T production ended in 1927 after just over 17 million T cars were built, a record for a single model, until finally eclipsed by the VW Beetle, in 1972....except, the T did it in 20 years, wheras, it took 34 years for the Beetle to do the same.
Note: At the time, Henry Ford took all the credit for the assembly line but, we now know that credit for it's design and engineering should go to his production supervisor, Charles E. Sorensen, who actually built it. (Though likely, the idea WAS Ford's)

[Mikado]

Air-cooling can be beautiful! 1932 Franklin........this ain't no Beetle!

What kind of car did Al Capone prefer? Cadillac? Packard? Lincoln? Nope, the answer is the the Franklin......The story goes that one time Capone was touring in his Caddy when a bullet shot by a rival gang member hit the car in the radiator, Capone realised this could make him vulnerable, and soon, he replaced the Caddy with a Franklin. Thanks to it's air-cooled engine, there was no danger of the same thing happening to the Franklin car, as there was no radiator. (the chromey grille at the front was mostly for show)
The Franklin car co. built cars from 1902 to 1934 when the depression, and an ill-timed V12 (at a time when even 4 cylinder cars werent selling) ended production forever. Strangely, the Franklin air-cooled engine would later be adapted for helicopter use; and in a strange twist of fate, would later be the basis for the engine of another doomed car, the famous TUCKER!

1932 V12 Franklin

[MonarC]

Heres a couple of awesome classics for ya. :D

http://images.truckinweb.com/events/2007/0712tr_07_z+scrapin_the_coast_2007+classic_chevy.jpg

http://www.chevytrucks.org/marvinsgarage/ccicover2001.jpg

[Doodyville10019]

If I could have any classic car ever made, it would be Preston Tucker's ride.
Made the "Big Three" quiver in their boots for a while, didn't it?

[MonarC]

Yeah that's a nice one. :D

[MonarC]

http://www.mariahturkiye.net/galeri/albums/2008/istayinlove_videoshoot/02.jpg

[Mikado]

If I could have any classic car ever made, it would be Preston Tucker's ride.
Made the "Big Three" quiver in their boots for a while, didn't it?
The Tucker 48, sometimes known as the Torpedo was designed by Alex Tremulis to Preston Tuckers specs. However, Tremulis had to convince Tucker that some of his ideas werent practical, in particular, the idea of detached fenders that turned with the wheels (You can still see the impression of detached fenders in the final desgn of the car!). Another fanciful idea was a centre "Cyclops" headlamp that turned with the wheels for extra night vision around corners.....as you can see, that WAS used on the final car. In the end, only 50 cars were built mostly by hand, after the plant was closed. Lawsuits for fraud (which proved to be unfounded), high startup costs and the loss of confidence of the public killed this promising car before it even got off the ground! Power was from a 6 cylinder air cooled engine in the rear adapted from a helicopter engine , which, was originally designed for the Franklin Automobile! (see post #205)

[Mikado]

RE: Post 209
That's a nice vet Mariah is driving, but, i don't really care for the non-stock hubcaps

[Fleet]

RE: Post 209
That's a nice vet Mariah is driving, but, i don't really care for the non-stock hubcaps
I agree. I usually like stock hubcaps on a classic cars. The hubcaps on my two Cadillacs are stock. (Of which I will post some pics of both cars soon since it's been a while.)

[Mikado]

Im getting a new puter built (Xmas gift from parents), so, sometime soon, Ill be posting more great cars on this thread! :)

[MonarC]

Heres an awesome classic. 1948 Chevy.

http://xrods.com/1948_Chevy_truck.jpg

[Mikado]

Heres an awesome classic. 1948 Chevy.

[img]
I think that's a pumpkin Monarc ;)

[MonarC]

:D Ok how about his bad boy?

http://image.motortrend.com/f/classic/delahaye-usa-to-build-modern-replicas-of-1930s-classics/9660465+cr1+re0+ar1/delahaye-usa-replica-rear.jpg

[Mikado]

Beautiful MonarC!!!! :) :clap: I'm not really an expert on French cars but, it looks like an Art-Deco Delage or Delahea of the mid to late 30s (id need to see the grill to be certain)

[Mikado]

Judging by the rounded front end I'd guess it was likely a Delahea

[MonarC]

Here's a cute one.

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/01/arizona_auctions/image/mercury_coupe.jpg

:D

[Fleet]

I don't know if it's a classic but it is rare. Here are some interior shots of my '76 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine. #246 of 834 limos built for 1976.
Different angles of the rear compartment.
The 2nd photo shows the air conditioning outlets on the roof, the 6th photo shows the jump seats and in the last photo is of the rear control panel in which the owner/passenger can control the rear climate control system and the radio.

[MonarC]

NICE! :cool:


I like the old Cadillac El Dorado's!

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1967-Cadillac-Eldorado.jpg

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1967-Cadillac-Eldorado-4.jpg

:eek:

[Mikado]

Here's a cute one.


1940 (?) Mercury; nice mooncaps :D

[Mikado]

While I'm not really into 1970s Caddys, I have to say the pics of a limo are interesting....where's the exterior pics, Fleet?

[Fleet]

NICE! :cool:

I like the old Cadillac El Dorado's!

:eek:
Wow... a nice '67 Eldo.
Sure looks good in black with those wide whitewall tires! :)

[Fleet]

While I'm not really into 1970s Caddys, I have to say the pics of a limo are interesting....where's the exterior pics, Fleet?
Good point. I should have posted a few exterior pics along with a photo or two of the front compartment.
Here are some. For the record, the car measures 151.5" in wheelbase and 252.2" in overall length which is just over 21 feet. I have owned this since July, 1999.

[Fleet]

Here is a scan of a rare 1976 Series Seventy-Five-only (limo) brochure.

I also own a regular '76 Cadillac Brochure and like the text for the limo:
"The choice of 1976, when it comes to interior size and comfort, spaciousness and privacy, is the Cadillac Limousine and Nine-Passenger Sedan. The Cadillac Limousine is still the only American-made car designed and built as a Limousine."

And:

"The interiors of the 1976 Limousine and Nine-Passenger Sedan are a thoughtful reflection of the private world that Cadillac's designers set out to create. A place of luxury and comfort. But also of business. But what separates the Sedan and Limousine from other great luxury cars? Size, certainly. Full-width folding seats allow for three additional passengers. Convenience. The control panel permits passengers to raise or lower the windows, turn on the reading lamps, switch on the news or, in the Limousine, raise or lower the driver/passenger partition window. Very special cars for people interested in luxury... in an executive size."

[MonarC]

Nice Lac! Gotta love a classic Impala.:D

http://i.pbase.com/o4/07/489807/1/67186691.e6mJOiUt.classicchevyimpalarearfin8x.jpg

[littlebelle]

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/8788/milanobradovich69cutlaslu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


'69 Cutlass, looks like it's lifted. Nice car.

[MonarC]

Come on Ramona let's race! :lol:

http://www.neveragainracing.co.uk/images/1968_camaro_main.jpg

[littlebelle]

^IT'S ON! :lol:

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8876/chevy2dw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MonarC]

Love that one!

Check out this lil ice cream truck. :lol:


http://image.automobilemag.com/f/antique-classic-cars/2008-woodward-dream-cruise/10459883+cr1+re0+ar1/divco-milk-truck.jpg

[littlebelle]

^How cute is that lil thing?


I :heart: Chevy's!

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/8829/campus1nxh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

('67 chevy impala lowrider w/ hydraulics)

[MonarC]

Chevy's are hot! :D


http://www.classicchevyclubreno.com/images/cars.jpg
http://www.autocult.com.au/img/gallery/full/325LRNWY.jpg


I also love the ZZ top car.
I tried to find the video for "Sharp Dressed Man" ZZtop vid that has that awesome car in it but believe it or not they don't have it! :eek:

So here is the song if you wanna jam out. :guitar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SifzomSW7kc

[littlebelle]

^ Agreed. My mom used to work for a GM dealership so I've grown up around beautiful new and used Chevy's- lol.

but the song link you posted is actually a link to a picture :p.

[MonarC]

Oops... fixed it. Thanks. Wow that must have been cool. What was the first car you learned to drive in?

[littlebelle]

Oops... fixed it. Thanks. Wow that must have been cool. What was the first car you learned to drive in?


My mom's old Jeep Cherokee :lol:. It was a chrystler AND gm dealership. What kind of car do you have?

[MonarC]

http://awesomecarauctions.com/uploaded_images/malibu-709466.jpg

I learned to drive in my dad's old Chevy Malibu kinda like this one it had power steering and bucket seats it was so smooth and comfortable. I loved that car. :D

Now I drive a Honda Prelude.

[littlebelle]

http://awesomecarauctions.com/uploaded_images/malibu-709466.jpg

I learned to drive in my dad's old Chevy Malibu kinda like this one it had power steering and bucket seats it was so smooth and comfortable. I loved that car. :D

Now I drive a Honda Prelude.


Nice ride. I like chevy's, cadillacs, all GM cars and some cryslers. Sometimes if I'm lucky I get to drive my mom's BMW m3 :D. BMW's are nice too, if you're going to start talking about foreign cars :lol:.

[MonarC]

I think Mikado wants to keep this thread 'Classic'. But yeah I have seen some really nice BMW's. It's always fun to drive your mom's car cause she usually has the best car. My mom had a 1988 Cadillac El Dorado when I was growing up. I loved that car. It had some major power too, it would take off and put you back in your seat. :D

[littlebelle]

I think Mikado wants to keep this thread 'Classic'. But yeah I have seen some really nice BMW's. It's always fun to drive your mom's car cause she usually has the best car. My mom had a 1988 Cadillac El Dorado when I was growing up. I loved that car. It had some major power too, it would take off and put you back in your seat. :D


Yeah, BMW's are for another thread ;). I've always like El Camino's...

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6950/1969chevroletelcaminobltu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MonarC]

El Camino's are awesome!

http://www.tremek.com/gallery/data/503/medium/0702ch_01_z_1970_chevrolet_el_camino_ss_.jpg

[Mikado]

Nice :)

[MonarC]

Check out this badboy! I love the color too.

http://housebroad.com/50_mercury.jpg

[Mikado]

theres a chopped and channelled Mercury almost identical to that one here in Niagara....the car didnt come from Ontario, did it????

[Mikado]

Yeah, BMW's are for another thread ;). I've always like El Camino's...

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6950/1969chevroletelcaminobltu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Nice car Littlebelle :)

[MonarC]

I have no idea where that car is from but it's beautiful. :D I found it on Google.

Gotta love those old Mercury's. :eek:

http://www.sbkustoms.com/showroom/49merc-front.jpg

[Mikado]

I personally prefer them stock, but, there's room on this thread for any classic ;) :)

[MonarC]

Stock it is! :D

http://www.tjsamericanhotrods.com/images/1950Mercury4Door/FrontLeftCorner.jpg

[MrCleveland]

http://www.buicks.net/show_and_shine/lorenz/riviera_84.jpg

Real soon...I may be driving that car...or any car. I just passed 1/2 of my Driving Test, I have to go back next week to do the road test.

[MonarC]

Is that a Rivera? Good luck on that test.