Vintage shots from days gone by!

1921 Birmingham

 

1913 Mercer racer

 

George P. Stanaland, with his 1926 or 1927 Oakland.

 

Fifth Avenue in New York...

 

Thomas Gibson's Good Gulf Service Station in East Texas, circa 1930

 

Wheaton, MN Auto Club, circa 1928

 

This a Gordon Watney Special, he was a very well know dealer - racer in England. He built and raced mostly large chain drive specials some of which were aero engined and built on double chain drive Mercedes chassis. Many of these creations were raced on the famous Brooklands track before 'its' demise during WWII.

 

An early colorized photo found in upstate NY. Only the front of the car is colored dark green w/burgundy spokes. Very handsome 40 HP sized Demi Tonneau.

 

Very early Model T

 

A dour couple and their 1934 Chevrolet

 

F.W. Leland practicing before one of the Briarcliff road races in NY. The Stearns looks to be a 30/60 HP model......one of the best cars of the day.

 

Early collector - NYC mechanic Charlie Stich working on Alex Ulmans Mercer before WWII.

 

CHEESE IT!!!

 

The Studebaker racing history began in an alley on Indiana Ave. in South Bend several miles from the factory in 1930. An inspired group of young employees fabricated a
Two-man racecar powered with the 337 CID Studebaker President 8 engine mostly from parts off the shelf at Studebaker. Their car was named the “ROMTHE”. It was the first letter of the last name of each of the builders “Richards”; “Onishi”; “MacDonald”; “Tate” and “Hundley”. They added an “E” to make it sound melodic.

Notice the name Studebaker does not appear anywhere on the car. This is thought to be because the factory did not want its name associated with this project in the event it failed in any way that would reflect badly on its reputation for quality automobiles.

In the end the car as #35 with MacDonald as driver qualified at 98.95 mph and finished in 18th position in the 1930 Indy 500 race. Not bad for a bunch of kids several of who lived at the YMCA. The performance of the Romthe led to a factory-sponsored entry in 1931 called the “Hunt Special” named after George Hunt a Studebaker Engineering Mgr. who supervised its construction.

 

1931 was the real beginning of Studebaker’s star rising in racing, besides the Richard’s independent entry another promising independent “The Russell 8” made its second appearance (Qualified at 104.55mph and finished 8th in 1930) driven by owner Russ Snowberger and qualified at 112.79mph and became theFIRST “Stock Block” powered car to win the pole position for the Indy 500 race, and he finished 5th.
This record lasted 54 years until 1985 when the “Brayton Buick” became the 2nd “Stock Block” powered car to win pole position.

Two other independent entries the Bardy-Nardi #42 and Schofield-Curlet cars failed to reach qualifying speed for the 1931 field.
Last but not least the factory sponsored “Hunt Special #37” car driven by Tony Gulotta qualified at111.72mph and finished 18th. Later the Hunt car set a record time in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado.

 

Can't identify the coupe, but...check out the Daniel Best steam tractor! What a beast!!!

 

1932 Studebaker endurance cars

 

Hartford Connecticut's Jumbo.

 

Mopar crankshafts and assembly.

 

A flyin' Auburn Speedster!

 

Jack McGee in his Old's Limited.

 

Taken in 1908 at the then year-old Stevens-Crawford home in Oregon City.