Daihatsu Midget II

 The Midget II falls under the umbrella of Kei vehicles in Japan. The Midget II was perfect for navigating alleyways and making deliveries. Read about limitations on being classified as a Kei vehicle at Wikipedia.

Steam powered motorcycle

 

James Aldridge on his new 1912 Indian

 

Mercedes 300SL

Whenever I see a Mercedes gullwing it takes me right back to about 1959. My uncle had a trucking company in Columbiana County, Ohio.  He had a huge parking lot and his drivers would park their cars there before going to work. My cousin and I would sometimes play in their cars. I specifically remember a silver gullwing and it was a favorite of mine. It had red leather like the one in this picture. When we went on our imaginary drives we had to leave the doors up because otherwise we couldn't deal with the heat build up. I probably would have forgotten about playing in the car if it hadn't been a gullwing, but it holds a special place in my memory because of those unusual doors. Even at eleven years old I recognized that this car was unusual and special.

By the time I was old enough to realize just how special it was no one was able to provide any information on the driver or the car. Production on the gullwing coupe was from 1954 until 1957 so it couldn't have been more than five years old. How did a guy who was employed as a truck driver acquire a Mercedes gullwing?

1963 Studebaker Westinghouse prototype

Westinghouse came to Studebaker with an idea in 1963. They wanted a simple truck with an eight foot bed that they could utilize for their in town deliveries. It was designed with flat panels to simplify the tooling and was a cab over design. It used the 289 cubic inch engine that was used in their other products and a three speed automatic transmission. Studebaker was on the verge of bankruptcy when they took on the Westinghouse project and any hopes that the prototype would save Studebaker vanished when the South Bend, Indiana plant closed in December 1963.

1970 Fiat Ferves Ranger

 

The Ranger was made from 1965 until 1970. The 499cc engine as well as the steering was from a Fiat 500 while the suspension and brakes were from the Fiat 600. It was available in 2 or 4 wheel drive and top speed was 45mph. A total of 600 cars were produced.

Over the river