Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Swedish double decker

I'm just guessing but perhaps a person had a Volvo 240 as well as a Saab 96 and what they really needed was a reliable camper.

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.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

1973 AWS Shopper

Described as a "practical city car" the Shopper used Goggomobil running gear. Built with a metal frame and plasticized sheet metal. 1700 were produced.



Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Riding reel mower

When I saw this image I assumed it was homemade. However, an additional image of the manufacture's plate made it obvious that it was not a one off. 





Monday, July 22, 2024

Reliant Regal


The Reliant Regal was manufactured from 1952 until 1973 by the Reliant Motor Company. Due to having three wheels and being light weight (355kg or 780lb) it was considered to be a "tricycle" and therefore able to be driven on a motorcycle license



Sunday, July 21, 2024

Front tipper

The Lesa Lur 6 RV was based off a 1980's Unimog 1100T cab and power train.


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



Based on Sweden's small sedan (DAF 44) the DAF Kalmar (also called the Tjorven) was a delivery van powered by a boxer engine of 844cc and an automatic transmission.

In 1963 Swedish Mail needed a new vehicle for mail delivery and a version of the Kalmar was developed and delivered between 1969 and 1972. The air cooled engine provided inadequate heat for the postmen and a small gasoline heater was added. The engines were not up to the task of delivering the mail and that hurt the Kalmar's reputation and created significant warranty claims.







Saturday, July 13, 2024

Tatra 77



The Tatra 77 was one of the first mass produced aerodynamic designed automobiles. It was offered by the Czechoslovakian company from 1934 through 1938.

The 77 was powered by a 2.97 liter 60hp air cooled overhead valve engine mounted in the rear. The later models were equipped with a 3.4 liter 75hp engine. It made extensive use of magnesium alloy for the engine, transmission, suspension and body. Top speed was reported to be 93mph.

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

Getting around in rural Thailand


Came across this image while going through some photos of a trip to Thailand in 2014.

Monday, July 8, 2024

Denzel 1300




The Denzel 1300 was an Austrian car produced from 1948 until 1959. Total production was about 300 cars. Initially the bodies were steel but later they went to aluminum.  The used enhanced VW components including a flat-four boxer type engine. Some of the later cars actually used Porsche engines
 

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Dually

The 1936 Auto Union Type C ended Mercedes dominance in Grand Prix racing. It was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. The newly formed Auto Union was comprised of DKW, Audi, Horch and Wanderer. It took several years of tweaking but the third alliteration was a huge success racing in the 1936-1938 seasons.

The Type C was a mid engine car powered by a supercharged engine. The 6 liter V16 produced 550bhp. Additional photos here.

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.


Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Happy Birthday, Dad

This is Dad posing with his 1933 Dodge coupe in about 1939. He would have been 104 today
 

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.