History We ALL Love a DARE! PIX of TRULY Extinct Makes?

Alright, Jim! I kind of figured you'd weigh in with info on the Elkhart-related companies. You da man!

 

Walter Miller does it again! Looking darn natty in knickers, Albert Erskine poses for a promotional shot of the new '27 Erskine with Prince William (Wilhelm of Sweden). For collectors of early auto memorabilia, Walter has this photo available on eBay; just search key words, if interested!

 

Smart Erskine radiator mascot,
THANKS to the Erskine registry!

The Official 1927-1930 Studebaker Erskine Registry
members.tripod.com/erskine_registry/erskine.html



Studebaker related hood ornaments | Cartype
www.cartype.com/pages/3622/studebaker_related_hood_or...

 

At least two...



http://www.flickr.com/groups/carguide/discuss/72157625260172605/

 

I came across this photo (copyright) of a 1918 Biddle that was taken in 1954.

Click link to view : http://www.hvri.org/picture.ehtml?pid=645549793
<TABLE class=photodetails><TBODY><TR><TH>"Name</TH><TD>1918 Biddle</TD></TR><TR><TH>User</TH><TD>Nick Georgano</TD></TR><TR><TH>Country</TH><TD>UKI</TD></TR><TR><TH>Age Group</TH><TD>18 and over</TD></TR><TR><TH>Amateur/Professional</TH><TD>NonPro</TD></TR><TR><TH>Category</TH><TD>Car</TD></TR><TR><TH>Whats Happening</TH><TD>Every Day Use</TD></TR><TR><TH>Created</TH><TD>21 Jan 2009</TD></TR><TR><TH>Copyright Protectd</TH><TD>Yes</TD></TR><TR><TH>Photo date</TH><TD>1954</TD></TR><TR><TH>Colour</TH><TD>Black and White</TD></TR><TR><TH>Format</TH><TD>Photograph"</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

This may be the same car that was featured in the 1954 British Pathe (Rally) video link, or it could just be a great co-incidence.

So, ......................................... is the mystery car a Biddle or Argonne?

 

Biddle:

I tried a "google" search and found a copy of the April 1957, "The Rotarian", Vol 90 No 4, which has a photograph of a 1918 Biddle Sports Roadster that was owned by Edward S Hansen of Madison, Wis. It appears the photograph may have originated at/from the British Travel Assoc.

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=ckAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=1918+biddle&source=bl&ots=8DaygKlOWP&sig=q2dY-zQE5xq0MJxdYqVwYxFnFkU&hl=en&ei=aoOiTZjUK8yGcbLk1eEB&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBTge#v=onepage&q=1918%20biddle&f=false

 

Here's another interesting car built by Dutch Darrin. A 1941 Packard Clipper convertible.

I can't confirm it but I believe that this is the only Clipper Convertible ever made. Supposedly, this car was specially built for Actor Errol Flynn.

 

Yes. It was the only one built.

According to Richard M Langdon in Vol 34 Automobile Quarterly No 1 Jan 1994 "Packard Clipper; The Lost Continuum of an American Institution" there was only one of this type convertible built for Flynn and the car is at large. The article represents the other tan vehicle as a reconstruction. If it is a reconstruction, it looks "dead on".

Vintageride

 

So who influenced who?





1949 Humber Super Snipe Convertible







1942 Lincoln Continental Convertible

 

HJ;

When I first looked at the pictures of the Humber Super Snipe, the fenders immediately said to me Lincoln Continental. This was before I looked at the Continental pictures you posted. When I look at the rear, I see late '40's Nash.

 

Darrin Cars:

Interesting read on Darrin cars. It appears, perhaps, that not all "Darrin" cars are Darrin cars.

Coachcraft, Rollson and Bohman & Schwartz get a mention.

http://www.coachbuilt.com/des/d/darrin/darrin.htm

and, a bit more to read, in particular the post by Tom sumner:

http://forums.aaca.org/f134/1941-packard-clipper-convertible-darrin-261424.html

 

Jim, when I first saw the pix, I immediately thought '40 LaSalle, one of my absolute
favorite cars.

Once I got over that mistake, I started thinking what a shame that Packard never had
the ghost of a chance to build a production version. The timing of the war threw
Packard's market timing off, and they never got a leg up in the auto world again.

Quite apparently, Dutch did built this for Errol Flynn, and there is supposed to be a
photo of his chauffeur standing next to it, according to a SHORT BUT GREAT exchange
by knowledgeable folks over at the ever-great AACA forums (I suspect it's the link
Grahame noted). One poster (Mr. Sumner, I think) there actually owned the Packard,
purchased for $1,500 in 1949 off a car lot! And he, or possibly another poster, said two
tribute versions were done years later. Great thread, though short!

The REAL shame, though, is that the Clipper -- with a properly timed intro (instead,
interrupted by the war) COULD have been THE "transitional" style to carry Packard to
a fresh style footing. In retrospect, it would seem that by the time four years of war
had passed, the Clipper that was fresh in 1941 was practically old-hat by 1946.

Though Packard made a mistake now and then, WWII was NOT their fault. The reasons
for Packard's ultimate demise were many, and after the mid-'30s, its opportunity(ies) for
survival were few. It would have taken more than just great leadership to chart a win-
ning path. A crystal ball would have been the order of the day!


Photo THANKS to flickr.

 

I don't quite know what to make of this photo. I ran onto it while
searching "Damita Flynn Packard." Sort of Looks like Lili Damita,
but I can't get my arms around the other elements. Any help?

Photo THANKS to flickr.

 

Larry and his Dad bought this 1940 LaSalle Series 52 Convertible together back in 1965 when Larry was in high school. He says it is one of only 425 1940 LaSalle Series 52 built and believes there are only about 25 of this model that survive.

After enjoying the car back then, It was stored for many years in the back of the family hardware store well life took a different direction.

Members of his old high school car club "The Beater Boys" which was started back then and still exists to this day encouraged Larry to restore this rare LaSalle with there help.

It was shown for the first time this past weekend at the 55th Annual Gopher State Timing Association Car Show.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577855&highlight=gsta

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=579060&highlight=gsta

 

There were just 75 examples of the five-passenger LaSalle Convertible Sedan, Series 52, produced in 1940.

In modern times, it is believed that only ten examples remain. This example was originally sold in August of 1940 to a baroness who was a resident of Vermont.

The car remained in her possession until 1960, before it passed through two more owners and finally joined a Michigan-based private collection in 1975.

The car has been restored since new, and painted in a light green color and fitted with a new tan convertible top and a tobacco-colored interior. It was given features such as a driver's side spotlight, a banjo-type steering wheel and wide whitewall tires.

In 2009, this car was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $40,000-$60,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $35,200, including buyer's premium.

In 2006, at the same auction, the car was offered for sale and had the same estimated value. The car was sold for the sum of $33,000, including buyer's premium.

Thanks to Concept Carz for this info.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/chassisNum.aspx?carID=11406&iDNumID=240

 

I think "this type" is the key. There were several Clipper convertibles built before the war, but only one by Darrin.

Here's one from the fantastic collection of photos (my sincere thanks to them for the photos) at www.conceptcarz.com .

As an afterthought, even though it's labeled as a Clipper...it sorta resembles a 180 model. Now I'm not positive.

 

Land Rover

Land Rover, quite a common vehicle, but, the original one has not survived (a replica has been built).

1947 prototype - surplus WW2 Willys Overland Jeep rebodied and repowered by Rover. Prototype had central steering.

Prototype:







"1947

Maurice Wilks, Rover's chief engineer and brother of company Chairman Spencer Wilks, used an army surplus Jeep on his estate in Anglesey, North Wales.
It was this vehicle which inspired the notion of producing an adaptable workhorse for farmers. Soon the first prototype Land Rovers were built (based on the WWII Willys Overland Jeep) including the centre-steer prototype.
The Rover car company thought it had found a short-term solution to post-war shortages: The Land Rover's body was of 'Birmabright' aluminium alloy at a time when steel was in short supply."

http://www.globallandrovers.com/main/site.php?use=history



http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_spotters_guide_europe_1947.htm



http://www.4wdonline.com/LandRover/Series/S1/1947.html

http://www.saturne.abeille.com/landpassion/land.php3?lang=us

 

According to;

http://www.car-nection.com/yann/dbas_txt/Las1940.htm

1940 LaSalle Production Figures are as follows;

The sedan for 5 passengers

Series 50

6558 built but they show pictures of two different styles of sedans, (See pictures below)

140 built with sunroof

Series 52 "C" Body Only

10181 Built

132 Built for Export

<big>The Coupe for 2 passengers</big>

Series 50

1,525 Built

Series 52

3000 Built

<big>The Convertible Coupe</big>

Series 50

598 Built

Series 52

425 Built, so that figure was for the Convertible Coupe only, not the whole production of Series 52 for 1940.

<big>The 2-Door Sedan for 5 Passengers</big>

Series 50

366 Built

Series 52

None Built


<big>The Convertible Sedan</big>

Series 50

125 Built

Series 52

75 Built

 

A Never Wuz ..... 1965 Buick Riviera Convertible. Looks like the guy did nice job but I wonder what it looks like with the top up.

Found another on e here; could be the same car with different wheels;

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3161543/1965-buick-riviera

 

1965 Buick Riviera GS Convertible - For Sale -Greenvale, Victoria, Australia -





http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?seot=1&R=8456614&silo=-1&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_Price_Decimal%7C1%7C%7CpCar_Make_String%7C0%7C%7CpCar_Model_String%7C0&Cr=&trecs=7&__N=1216%201247%201252%201282%204294961910%20903

 

the wheels look cheap, but the car looks really nice.

 

Wow! Looks VERY nice a as a 'vert! Like you, Jim, I'd wanna see it with top UP, too. If the top has a "full" look (not that skin-and-bones look), then it's a VERY together 'chine! The wires look good, too. Did Buick OFFER the wire wheel option for the Riv?

I worked my part-time job in college with a guy who had a '63 Riviera, and it was all he could talk about -- his Riv, back home waiting in the garage. 340-hp 425-CID and 465 fp of torque. Whoa. I wonder if he still has it, or if it's now one of those the-one-that-got-away stories???

(I also knew a 'Nam vet in school who had a '64 Wildcat with a 401 nailhead. It REALLY was a hotrod and lived up to its name!)

 

Here it is with the top up;

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=580413&highlight=riv

And Here is with just the top bows;

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/316154...-buick-riviera

Very Nice job. I like the spoke wheels much better.

 

Forgot to point out RHD conversion

 

Spangler Dual (Manf. by HAHN Motors, Inc. of Hamburg Pa.:

Mainly Ford parts. Powered by twin 100HP flathead V8's.

Extinct?




"Spangler-Dual Fire engine

This is a Spangler-Dual.Invented by D.H. Spangler
and manufactured by HAHN of Hamburg Pa.U.S.A.Only two were made and both were scrapped due to problems!They had 1000 gallon tanks,two 500GPM pumps, and two FORD engines.I know one was sold to
Friendship F.D. in Morgantown P.A. and scrapped shortly there after due to all kinds of mechanical problems!"

http://www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number16608.asp









http://www.albert-baas.nl/spangler.htm



http://www.youngstownfire.com/forums/index.php?topic=2685.0

 

Eisenhauer Manufacturing Co., Van Wert, Ohio. - Extinct (as far as these types of vehicle)?

Twin 6 cylinder engines placed one above the other and syncronized manual transmission. Steering through the front two and the 5th (rearmost) axle.





Thanks to: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/dual-engine/

A later model was also built. This had two larger capacity 6 cylinder engines placed side-by-side and using Hydramatic automatic transmissions.




http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/dual-engine/

similar info:

http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/11873/Eisenhauer-s-Five-Axle-Straight-Trucks

 

Some light reading on another/other twin engined truck:

http://www.chromjuwelen.com/de/netw...litary-campaign--double-the-flathead-fun.html

and

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/dual-engine/

and

http://georgedennis.blogspot.com/2009/11/rare-ford-coe-twin-engine.html

Flathead Ford V8's again.

These vehicles are not extinct, but would rate as very rare.

 

Still more....

From the Bernard Johnson Collection -



"These Twin Fords were a driver's nightmare to drive! It had 2 throttles 2 clutches 2 main box levers 2 two speed levers, You could rock your foot on the throttles and pull one engine as you shifted the other, He bought them as dump trks. and took them off and put on 5th wheel. Dan Rankin, pictured above, he still has a rig of his own, out of Post Falls, Idaho, He was the one guy that could drive that Twin real good!!"





With thanks to Bernard Johnson Collection.

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/bernard_johnson.htm

Do any of these twin engined trucks survive?

 

To the best of my knowledge, Byron Carter was the first toe build a two-engine production car. For reference, folks might search CARTER TWIN ENGINE on this thread history.

 

Most Overland cars are not ultra-rare, just RARE.
But, after John North Willys rescued the former
independent company, Overland, they offered a
LOT of chasses and bodies! One source says in
1916, they had FOUR series (#s 75, 83, 84 and 86)
on FOUR wheelbases (104, 106, 114 and 125, re-
spectively). Wow. And they offered at least three
different engines, too!

That said, below is a very rare Overland hearse --
in fact, THE ONLY ONE built. Sorry I don't have a
bigger photo.



1916 Overland hearse photo, Manitoba Antique Auto
Museum, Elkhorn, Manitoba, which claims to have the
largest collection of Overland autos. This one-off hearse
was built on a 125-inch, which would seem to make it a
Series 86 and, so, would have probably had a
Continental 303 L-head six and a three-speed
transmission. However, the museum states that it is a
Series "83-B," and the 83 had a 106-inch wheelbase. I
suppose the hearse might be considered coachbuilt and
not a regular-production model, though.

Oh, the MYSTERIES of old cars! Can we ever have all
the answers? DOUBTFUL!