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

Wow, Jim and AJ, seeing these fine cars breaks my heart, in a real way. Though sales fell to barely 500 by '36, the again Buffalo-owned Pierce was building their best cars, ever, with tech breakthroughs, new engines, higher compression, top speeds comparable to Auburn or Cord, and safety without compare ... all the effort wasn't enough, as high production costs and concomitant price tags still doomed the ultra-luxury make at its finest hour.

Though Hupp and Pierce were not in the same class, the story of their end seems pretty much a mirror-image situation to me.

 

Seems a bit of a rhetorical question, I suppose. But I've always felt that Pierce's ill-fated union with once-strong Studebaker MAY(?) have helped negatively influence the few remaining independent during the '30s from making TIMELY joint ventures or outright mergers(?).

Obviously, Nash, Hudson/Terraplane and Packard didn't need anyone's charity (or didn't THINK so). Quality makes like Jordan, Peerless and Gardner were too far under water by '31. A-C-D was fixated on the mid-to-high-priced market - and also doomed.

But I wonder if makes like Willys, REO, Graham, American Bantam, Hupp, perhaps others, could have (1) started by selling eachothers' vehicles in combined dealerships/service networks, then (2) moved toward shared production facilities, at least SOME shared components, AND losing extra factories along the way -- thus broadening product lines while reducing unit production costs and stepping up delivery times.

Sounds like, maybe, my pipe dream. Could these guys have just sucked up their pride a tad, joined by about '34 or '35 AND SURVIVED?

 

"Planet" motorcycle, built by Jack Oliver of Victoria - in the very rare to extinct category.





















"This hand-made motor cycle was built by John Oliver who ran a motor car and motor cycle repair business in Melbourne. Oliver was born at Talbot in central Victoria in 1872 and served an apprenticeship to a wheelwright before becoming involved in the cycle business initially in New Zealand and then in Melbourne. In the early 1900s he established the Planet Cycle Works in High Street Kew. where he built bicycles using frames he brazed together himself. By 1909 the business had transformed into a motor car repair shop situated on the corner of High and Peel Streets, Kew. Oliver had previously built a number of motor cycles under the 'Planet' and 'Planet Aero' brand-names. John Oliver often referred to this one-off machine as 'The Big Bike'. It was built between 1913 and 1916.

Oliver's plans for this motor cycle were drawn up on brown paper after "arriving home one evening a little the worse for an afternoon at the local hostelery" according to his son Monty. John Oliver made the wooden pattern for the engine mouldings and castings were obtained from Chas Ruwolt's foundry in Victoria Street, Richmond and then machined on Oliver's own workshop lathe, including turning the cooling fins. The motor cycle has a large 1497 c.c. capacity V-twin cylinder engine and a single-speed transmission with a lever operated clutch. Originally it was capable of a top speed of 85 m.p.h (140 km/h). The original carburettor was a Zenith later replaced by a Schebler. The original wheels were replaced around 1938 with a pair of conventional second-hand motorcycle wheels. John Oliver died in 1949 and the Planet was left dismantled in storage. John Oliver's sons, Allen and John (Monty) Oliver decided to reassemble the machine around 1980. One replacement magneto was purchased and a non-original S.U carburettor was fitted at this time. After Allen's death, Monty Oliver donated the Planet to the Museum in 1987."


http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/386476/motor-cycle-planet-twin-cylinder-1497-cc-1916

 

If this is too far OT, let me know and I will delete the post.

This is not a "Make", but an accessory. A fairly decent accessory, but, an accessory never-the-less. It is the 1957 Volvo Caravan Trailer (53 built) and sold as an accessory for the Volvo PV444.

None appear to have survived.



http://www.cartype.com/pages/4742/volvo_caravan_trailer__1957

Model: Caravan Trailer.

Body: Collabsible, doubble plywood wallsroof and lower part in aluminium or PVC-coated fabric, bottom sheet iron.

Dimensions: Full height: 180 cm Ready to run - height: 103 cm Width: 180 cm Overall length, incl. tow hook: 310 cm Overall lenght, body: 225 cm, weight 320 kg.

On an even more flexible note, it was possible to convert from caravan to ordinary trailer. The price label showed 2700 SEK in 1957.

.................................................

This is a link to a 2-page .pdf. It is very, very slow to load (be patient) and I can't copy from it. It contains good information and more photos and drawings.
http://www.opio.nu/VOLVO_camping_1957.pdf


....................................................


Again, I can't copy from the Blog, but it basically only the specifications -
http://volvopassion.skyrock.com/7.html

 

hi plym_46. It is a little bit looks old but I think it is running good.

 

I know we mentioned Bobbi-Kar, but what about the Keller that came from the dies of the defunct Bibbi-Kar.
Any of these left??????

 

not extinct though, maybe this one's a prototype.

 

Any of these left????

 

Hemmings Find of the Day – 1928 Graham-Paige Sound Train By Daniel Strohl



As anybody who visited the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance last year will recognize, this 1928 Graham-Paige limousine is no typical product of a visionary’s one-off fantasies. Instead, it’s one of the 15 or 16 trackless trains (also called “sound trains&#8221 that Hoosier Harry McGee built for various companies to promote their wares.

Based on the Graham-Paige Model 837 long wheelbase limousine, the Sound Train hood is modified to resemble the boiler of a railroad locomotive and fitted with all manner of locomotive-themed lights, bells, whistles and accessories. The passengers’ compartment is trimmed like a luxurious parlor car and modified with an observation platform at the back, complete with overhanging roof, elaborate railing and upholstered bench seat. Each front fender has a small seat where a child or glamorous lady could ride, and an effective sound system can play appropriate music or public announcements. This example is largely original and unrestored and has many of its railroad-themed accessories, lights and features. It runs and drives, but is aged, tired and in need of restoration.

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Posts #4424, #4425 Keller





http://www.chuckstoyland.com/potpourri/coololdcars/keller/7 Keller Car p4 and 5 combined.jpg



The history -
http://www.huntsvillerewound.com/HSVkellercar.htm
















"pictures from on of a 1949 Keller Car in 2010 in North Alabama:
(one of 3 surviving today) "Know When to Fold" episode"

http://www.huntsvillerewound.com/HSVkellercar.htm

..............................




Plenty more on Keller - http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2008/09/07/sia-flashback-americas-most-needed-car/

....................




Photo captioned as Keller production line -

http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/auto/auto.html

 

Keller
















Still more - http://www.chuckstoyland.com/potpourri/coololdcars/

 

Post #4426



Tiny Car Does Big Job
ONE answer to a shopper&#8217;s prayers is this miniature, two-person convertible, called the Towne Shopper, soon to be produced by the newly formed International Motor Car Co. Designed for economy, it is priced at $595 f.o.b. San Diego and promises 45 to 50 miles to the gallon at speeds up to 50 m.p.h.
Made largely of aluminum, the flashy little coupe weighs only 600 pounds, is less than 10 feet long, providing easy maneuverability. The compact two-cylinder Onan engine, squeezed under the stub hood in the rear, leaves the larger space in the front for storing groceries or baggage. White wall tires, a radio with aerial, and a folding top add the luxury touch.

Popular Science - March 1948.

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/04/page/4/

 

Town Shopper



http://www.orphanbabycars.com/Volume_3_1943_to_1969.html



http://www.kitfoster.com/carport/2008/04/weird-and-wonderful/

 

The Keller was no Tucker, in looks or performance. But it was a sound and affordable car when that's just what American families NEEDED. Keller had done a good job of lining up all the needed resources, including a factory and employing lots of WWII vets with mechanical skills. Unfortunately, he died of a heart attack in NYC, just as the ball was getting rolling! What a shame.

 

BTW, you guys cited two GREAT resources: Kit Foster and ChucksToyland!

 

I'll concede the point on performance but as for styling there are not too many cars less attractive then the tin goose.

 

Fair enough! LOL

Something else, PROBABLY EXTINCT!



1909 Frontenac

 

Posting this one, as I don't find a surviving example anywhree, but the tech is interesting. Folks were trying LOTS of stuff in the early days, before gasoline and liquid-cooled won out, at least generally speaking.


1906 Zent

 

We've shown the Pickard before. Very few in existence. I like this ad from Royal Feltner's site, as it shows the oval radiator on this model quite well. I suspect Pickards get misidentified occasionaly, elsewhere on the 'net.


1909 Pickard

 

Though we discussed Cutting a good deal, PIX & ILLUS-
TRATIONS have been woefully lacking on this Jackson, MI,
make! So, here are two period ads with good drawings
of Cutting models, THANKS to Royal Feltner's fab site!


1911 Cutting


1915 Cutting

 

Uummmmmmm, do you think this is a rebody?



.........

 

Post #4435 Frontenac & #4436 Zent

Zent



1907 Zent Runabout


http://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/1907.htm



Frontenac



1907 Frontenac

http://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/1907.htm

 

Some RARE (to extinct) stuff there, guys! A bit more on the ultra-scarce Cutting:

Rock-solid info about the Cutting make seems particularly elusive. It does seem reliable to say they were made by the Clarke-Carter Automobile Co., Jackson, MI, from 1909 to 1911 and by the Cutting Motor Car Co., also Jackson through at least 1912. But, at least one source shows Cuttings made as late as 1915. If anyone has solid info on when the Cutting make actually burned out, please feel free to volunteer that info.

Other than Bob Burman's stripped-down Cutting racer, we've turned up no photos of a Cutting, though we do have artists' renderings showing multiple Cutting body styles. Weight ranged from around 2,000 to 3,000 -- comfortably sized cars but not as big as some of the behemoths around in those pre-WWI days. Cutting cars survival is tenuous at best; the HAMB's 37Kid remembers seeing a Cutting on Long Island years ago, however. So there's apparently ONE surviving that we know of.

Cutting models were mid-priced at about $1,200 to $1,500 and seemingly enjoyed a good reputation for reliability and power in their day. Besides Burman's consistent successes, Cuttings also ran in the first two Indy 500s. Engines by Wisconsin, Model and Milwaukee
ranged from about 25-hp to 35-hp, all with five-inch or better stroke. Following are the configurations I could find.

221-CID four-cylinder w. 5" stroke, 23-hp, 115" WB

251-CID L-head four-cylinder w. 5" stroke, 26-hp, 116 & 120" WB

284-CID four-cylinder w. 5" stroke, 29-hp, 117" WB

390-CID T-head four-cylinder w. 5.5" stroke, 36-hp, 116 & 122 WB



As shown in Post #4438, the source pegged the ad at 1915,
but this just doesn't jibe with some facts. E.g., the ad says
Clarke-Carter, but from 1912 onward, two sources say the
Cuttings were built by the Cutting Co. It would appear to me
that the ad would be three to four years earlier than the source
stated. If anyone has an opinion, I'd love to hear it!

 

Buffalo built Babcock Electric

Gentlemen's Roadster

Model 7 Brougham
Thanks to NY Public Library digital Gallery



Model 11 Town Car

 

Building is still there, but doesn't look like that anymore

 

This is the best photo I have seen of a U.S.-made Singer.
I ran onto this on what appears to be a Spanish site. I don't
speak Spanish, but if I interpret this generally correctly, I
believe it said the Singer was built in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., by
the Singer Motor Co. and featured a trademark Vee-radiator
shell. Base engine, a Herschell-Spillman six with available
Weideley V-12 (Wow!).

Unlike the long-lived (and unrelated) British Singer, the Yank
Singer was only made from 1915 through 1920. (More research
needed, but I believe the Singer evolved from the lines of Partin-
Palmer and/or Palmer-Singer.) Help, folks! Lots NOT known
here, AND I don't read Spanish!

​

 

Singers sat on wheelbases between 135 and 139 inches and sold for
around a hefty $5,000 to nearly $8,000! Details on the Singer plants:

Herschell-Spillman T-head six of 415-CID w. 38 (rated) horsepower

Weideley valve-in-head V-12 of 390-CID w. 102-brake horsepower

 

Cutting -




http://www.flickr.com/photos/46317563@N04/favorites/with/5135172025/#photo_5135172025



1912 Cutting Indianapolis Racer
Eldon Eby, Kalamazoo, Michigan




http://www.birthplaceofspeed2005.com/Pictures.htm

 

Pickard - 52 built 1908-1912. One survivor (?)

http://forums.aaca.org/f169/1910-pickard-touring-254063.html



http://www.earlyamericanautomobiles.com/1910.htm