Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Swedish double decker
Monday, July 29, 2024
V12 Thunder
Referred to as the GMC Twin Six. Very low production numbers between 1960 and 1965. The Twin Six was a 702 cubic inch V12 that looked like two V6 engines conjoined. The use of four heads from V6 engines made it look like two engines but it was actually one block. It had one long crankshaft and one camshaft.
Fifty years later it exemplifies the term "rare".
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Troll 700
The Troll was produced in Norway from 1956 to 1958. It had a fiberglass body on a Gutbrod Supeior chassis. It was powered by a 700cc 2 cylinder, 2 stroke engine through a three speed transmission. It mad 26hp and reached a speed of 81mph (131kmph) and achieved 47mpg.
The Bosch fuel injection system proved to be complex and plans were made to switch to the Saab 3 cylinder 2 stroke, but that was never implemented. Only five Troll 700's were made.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Friday, July 26, 2024
Thursday, July 25, 2024
1973 AWS Shopper
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Riding reel mower
Monday, July 22, 2024
Reliant Regal
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Friday, July 19, 2024
Frogeye Sprite
The Austin Healey Sprite Mk 1 was known as the Bugeye or Frogeye because of the distinctive placement of the headlights and its similarity to the aforementioned creatures. The Mk 1 was in production until 1961 when the MkII was introduced along with the MG Midget. Production ended in 1971.
Both cars were quite successful and you can read more about the history here.
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Monday, July 15, 2024
1957 Spohn
This car was built by Spohn on a 1939 Ford Chassis and powered by a 1953 Cadillac engine. Spohn was a German coach builder who bought American cars after WWII to gain the platform for the bodies he produced. More on Spohn in the article from My Car Quest.
Sunday, July 14, 2024
DAF Kalmar firetruck
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Tatra 77
Friday, July 12, 2024
Thursday, July 11, 2024
1957 Aurora Safety Car
Father Alfred Juliano was a Catholic priest. Members of his parish donated money to finance his idea of building the world's safest car. He started with a 1953 Buick chassis and built a plywood superstructure which he covered in fiberglass and fitted with plastic windows.
Safety considerations included a roll cage with side impact bars, seat belts, padded dash and a collapsible steering column, The spare tire was mounted in the front to absorb impacts. The seats were designed so as to swivel 180 degrees to face backwards if a collision was imminent.
The car had been sitting idle for four years during fabrication and broke down numerous times on the trip to NYC for the reveal. The project went bankrupt and the car sat for decades behind a garage that was owed money for their work on the car. It was eventually purchased by an auto enthusiast and restored. The car is occasionally displayed at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire, England.
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
1951 Studebaker Manta Ray Concept
Glen Hire and Vernon Antoine worked for North American Aviation Company in design and engineering. They were inspired to build a concept car based on a 1951 Studebaker Commander. Working out of backyard garage they made the body entirely of fiberglass that was molded in 14 sections. The tail lights were from a Lincoln and the bumpers were made from parts from Hudson. Their plan was to produce additional units but only one was made.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Monday, July 8, 2024
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Dually
Saturday, July 6, 2024
1970 M718a1 Veterinary Abulance
The M718a1 was designed to transport three wounded canine soldiers in rough terrain. A kit was made up to convert any m151a2 MUTT into a M718a1. They were used primarily in Vietnam.
There were approximately 4000 dogs used in the armed forces during the Vietnam War. They were used for sentry and patrol, guard, tracking and as detector dogs. They are credited with preventing 10,000 casualties. They were so effective at scouting that the Viet Cong placed a bounty on them.
Friday, July 5, 2024
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
1975 Cadillac Caribou
This is not a flower car. It was built by the Caribou Motor Company in California. Car and Driver reported on one in 2018. You can read the article here.
Monday, July 1, 2024
1960 Ford Ranch Wagon
I did not know that Ford made a two door Ranch Wagon in 1960, but then wagons of that era were really never on my radar. It looks like this family is heading out for a weekend in their pop-up camper.