In 1952, Popular Mechanics Magazine released a series of postcards that were made available at gas stations across the country. Each pictured a novelty of one sort or another based around the rapidly growing automotive culture in the US. A few years ... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
I didn't look in this thread just because of the thread title! The story says "...using a standard Mercury frame shortened 18-inches and a stock 1949 Mercury engine..." but when I tried to search what kind of Mercury frame they used I didn't find more about it. Anybody here able to point me to more information about this roadster? When I searched "Plannette roadster" I got pics of a different but very interesting car that is a "1939 Coachcraft Mercury Roadster", link: http://www.kimballstock.com/pr/554451939/KimballStock_AUT-19-BK0005-01.jpg ps: as a young boy I had recurring dreams of getting lost in the 50 ft. woman's soft folds. I'll try to revisit those dreams tonight.
Love the stance of this "Jalopy" and the" Tomato" as well. Seems back in the day,more than one person was attempting to replicate what Europe had to offer. Being a "Sporty-Car-Guy" ,this is what Buddy Palumbo would have built, at Finzio's Sinclair, in Posaic N.J. JT http://www.lastopenroad.com/finzios/storexmas2010.html
I have a 1946 Mercury plus a 1947 Mercury running gear. I don't remember the measurements but am thinking a Ford frame is 18" shorter so why wouldn't they used a Ford frame? Kinda wonder. I've seen this article before.
Linda, Are you on the HAMB??? You were really hot back in 1952. So was your car......Great story Ryan
Looking is one thing, touching would be a whole new ballgame. Man, you'd have your work cut out for you there. Phew.
One can imagine a mechanically inclined young couple deciding to build their own "sports car" in the early 50's after pricing the offerings from Europe and seeing what others had done in photos in Popular Mechanics or Mechanics Illustrated. The quality of workmanship looks pretty high too. Being that it was in a Mechanics Illustrated photo it may have earned them a Golden Hammer award at the time. It looks like Mr Plannette pretty well had it made with a classy looking car and a long legged classy looking wife.
Love the car and the cutie. At first I thought it was actress Geena Davis ... or her mom! A six inch ride height (or lowest dangling part, anyway) is also as low as I'd go on an all purpose street car. Gary
She's prolly 80 and in a nursing home in SOCAL. Both her and the car certainly had the look back then. Would be awesome to find out more about the car.
She would be 80 if she was 19 when the pic was taken. It would be nice to hear " the rest of the story " on whatever happened to the car and Linda. Now that would be a Barnfind!!!
I recall quite a few years back walking down a hallway at the tech school where I was taking an alignment course there was a fine looking long legged lady coming toward us and a buddy gives me the elbow and says. "Man, check out the ride height on that". Wish I had a picture.
Lucky dawg Mr Plannette, two bitchin rides, and one of them helps you work on the other? I bet he still has a big smile on his face. That car would be so sweet to replicate. I'm sort of lucky too, my sweet, long legged bride loves my cars. There's a spare mounted out back, was it a stock type trunk? I'm thinking a boat tail would look cool too, but the spare wouldn't work.
More from Google, too cool, 1951 Motor mag, I love the way that car looks, a Model T roadster body, what does it look like from the rear? Love those cycle fenders.. Motor - Volume 95 - Page 49 http://books.google.com/books?id=RY...a=X&ei=kfDkUO7XGIaQ9gSyzIHgAg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA 1951 - Snippet view - More editions Here is Linda Plannette and the low slung four-passenger 1 10-mph speedster which she and her husband took three years to build Dirt track type of hot rod shown in Detroit. It was made up from a Model T roadster body, a V-8 engine and No more info, looks like you may have to buy the mag to read it. http://www.onlineadjunct.com/Cars_Sport Custom/Derby Ahlstone/Coachcraft Write-Up 6-15-12.pdf
Love these stories and pictures from the era. In the post WW-2 yrs. I'm sure there were quite a few women with great skills acquired during the conflict. Would be nice if someone did the research and wrote a book about those ladies, like Linda, who went on to automotive related jobs or hobbies.
Apparently she was married to Paul Plannette,an early Hollywood playboy who ran with Gable and the likes.He was also the original owner of the Coachcraft #1.Paul had great taste in women.