1950's full service

 

1954 Chic-ito

Leopold Garcia built this car in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Total cost came to $800 due to using mostly used and scrap materials. It was powered by a ford engine. It had an 80" wheelbase and weighed in at 2200 pounds.

 

1920's German snowmobile

1967 OSI Silver Fox Prototype

 

OSI was a highly respected but low volume coach builders in Italy during the 1960's. The Silver Fox was built in 1967 to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It debuted that year at the Turin Motor Show. It was powered by a 1 liter four cylinder Renault Alpine engine housed in the left pod to counter balance the weight of the driver in the right pod. It reached a top speed of 155mph. The fastest car in the world in 1967 was the Lamborgini Muira. It was powered by a 3.9 liter V12 and topped out at 173mph.

The Silver Fox didn't make it to the race track after completing a number of test runs. OSI went out of business early in 1968. There was only one car produced.

1953 Siata 208CS Balbo Berlinetta

The Siata was based on a Fiat platform and powered by a 2.0 liter V8. Carrozzeria Balbo was the coach builder using a Berlinetta body. Only a few of these cars were built.

1956 Leningrad Cabriolet

It is unusual to find a sports type vehicle with Russian origins. This vehicle has an interesting story not only from its inception but including its restoration. It is not unlike the extensive restoration to bring back the Jawa 750 I posted in March.

You can see additional photos and read about the Leningrad Cabriolet at Undiscovered Classis .

Almost the perfect solution

 

1976 Peugeot Peugette

Apparently Pininfarina was looking for work and used an existing Peugeot 104 platform to build the Peugette in hopes of appealing to the younger crowd. Apparently the concept was well executed but the timing was not right. Peugeot had just taken over the failing Citroen and had no interest in taking on a low volume convertible.

Biwak concept

 The Biwak was a concept from the design firm EDAG. It was based on the new Volkswagen Beetle and introduced at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show.

Happy July 4th

 

Happy Birthday, Dad

Dad would have been 105 today. He is posing with his 1941 Dodge pickup.

First McDonalds

On May 15, 1940, Maurice and Richard McDonald opened their first McDonalds in San Bernardino, California.

Double dually

 

Big Jeep

Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Had already had a huge replica of a Dodge Power Wagon in his garage before deciding to add a Jeep. At 21 feet tall it is four times as large as the original. It is all metal and the driver sits behind the grill. While the cost of the project wasn't revealed the earthmover tires can cost as much as $40,000 each. Read more about the Jeep as well as the Power Wagon at ThrottleExtreme.

1991 Colani Stingray

 Designed by Luigi Colani. Due to its shape it was suggested that it produced two tons of downforce without the typical wings and air dams normally used. The Stingray is part of the permanent collection of the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Rock n' Roll

 

Hunter brothers

In June 1930 John and Kenneth Hunter set a world record for a non-stop airplane flight. Their brothers Albert and Walter flew Big Ben, the support plane that was responsible for refueling. While the record flight was limited to circling the Chicago area they were airborne for 23 days (553h 41m 30s). The distance flown was equal to approximately one and a half times around the earth.

They flew a Stinson-Detroiter and the flight might have gone on longer but technical issues forced them to land on July 4, 1930. There was an external catwalk on the fuselage that allowed Kenneth access to the engine and external components of the plane. He did repairs, oiled engine parts and replaced pieces while tethered to the catwalk.

Messerschmitt KR200 Sport

The Messerschmitt cars came about after World War II. Restrictions imposed after the war prevented Germany from engaging in various industrial activities. The former Messerschmitt airplane factory turned to making the three wheeled Messerschmitt car in 1955.  30,286 cars had been made when production ceased in 1964. The rarest was the Sport model which did not have a roof or doors and came with a cut down plexiglass windshield.  

The example above was Messerschmitt's effort to showcase the durability of the KR200. This car was prepared to make a run at the 24 hour record for three wheeled cars under 250cc displacement (15 cubic inches). The engine was highly modified and was fitted with a special single seat aerodynamic body. The record was set in August 1955. The 24 hour run broke 22 international speed records in its class including the 24 hour speed record which it set at 64 mph (103 km/h).

Read more about the Messerschmitt at Wikipedia.

1958 Reitz Pinnaduo

I was unable to find much information on this automobile beyond it residing in Germany and most likely based on a Karmen Ghia. That is a lot of windshield!

 

1960 Didia 150

The one off Didia 150 was built over a seven year period (1953-1960). The body was hand formed aluminum by Ron Clark. It was assembled by four workers at Clark Kaiser Customs. The total cost was $93,647. It was sold to the singer Bobby Darin for $150,000. Adjusted for 65 years of inflation that would be $1,620,000 in 2025 dollars. More information on Wikipedia.

Mini Mixer

 

AC Aceca-Bristol

The Aceca was a fastback version of AC's Ace roadster that was introduced in 1954. Both cars had aluminum bodies and independent suspension. The Ace was underpowered due to its rather anemic prewar engine while the Aceca was fitted with a 120hp Bristol power plant. About 300 Aceca were completed before it and the Ace were replaced when the company shifted it attention to the AC Cobra.

1958 Edsel fitted with an Aero Cabana

SMZ S-3A

The S-3A was a Russian vehicle designed for disabled persons. It was distributed free or nearly so for those who qualified.

It was produced between 1958 and 1971. It was powered by a single cylinder 2 stroke engine with a 346cc displacement that produced 10hp. Top speed was 34mph.

Fair warning

 

Fullgood Rocket

 

Shown at this year's Shanghai Motor Show the Rocket is a nostalgic vehicle reminiscent of the 1959.Cadillac. This is just one of Songsan Motors offerings based on American vehicles. More examples can be seen at MotorBiscuit.

1970's Phoenix camper

 Apparently you could purchase plans to create your own Phoenix for $85.

Double parked

 

1963 Studebaker Lark Custom V8

While it may not be everybody's dream car this made me smile. The new owner posted that they had purchased this Studebaker for $600 at an estate auction. It used to be easy to find old cars and trucks for reasonable prices making it easy to get into the old car hobby. It is nice to know that occasionally that still happens.

Triple decker

 

Quick exit

 

1941 Dodge COE school bus

 The COE design greatly reduces the driver's field of vision. Hard to believe that someone didn't put the brakes on this design for a school bus.

Truckin'

 

1996 Toyota Century hearse

 This vehicle sold on Cars&Bids for $45,000 in July 2023.

Free flowing exhaust

The ultimate cab over

 

1937 Studebaker Express

Raymond Lowey designed the Express and Studebaker offered it until 1940. It wasn't widely accepted at that time, but is a sought after vehicle for collectors today.

1969 Puma

Produced in Brazil The Puma was a very popular car. It was based on a shortened Karmann Ghia platform and powered by a 1500cc VW engine.

 

Lowdown