HI-TECH Automotive: Automobiles

Showing posts with label Automobiles. Show all posts

Willys - Overland

Willys-Overland magazine advertisements from the early 1950's.

Willys was the brand name used by the United States automobile company, Willys-Overland Motors, best known for its design and production of military Jeeps and civilian versions during the twentieth century.

In 1908, John North Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company and in 1912 renamed it Willys-Overland Motor Company. From 1912 to 1918, Willys was the second largest producer of automobiles in the United States behind only the Ford Motor Company.

Jeep is now an automobile marque of Chrysler. It is the oldest off-road vehicle brand, with Land Rover coming in second.

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XM Turnpike Cruiser

One of Mercury’s most memorable dream cars is the XM Turnpike Cruiser. The XM foretold the styling of the '57-59 production Mercury models. Bold styling was highlighted by 12-inch V-shaped taillights flowing from matching white pearlescent, concave sculpted, canted rear fender tips/fins.

Twin transparent-tint Plexiglas roof panels tilted up when doors were opened to assist entry and exit. Other interesting design details included dual exhaust exiting from the rear fenders, chromed quad bullets in the front bumper, four bucket seats and concealed door handles. The center portion of the three-section backlight could be lowered for ventilation, a feature adapted by the production 1957 Turnpike Cruiser.

In order to acquaint the public with Mercury's upcoming radically new look, it was decided to build running concept car. A full-size, fully-operational model, the Mercury XM Turnpike Cruiser was constructed in 1955 by Ghia in Italy for $80,000.

This one-off dream car made its public debut at the Cleveland Auto Show in January 1956. The XM was powered by a 312 cu. in. Mercury V-8 with dual four barrel carbs connected to a stock Merc-O-Matic automatic transmission. The dashboard had a tachometer and a 150 mph speedometer.

After it traveled the auto show circuit, the persimmon beauty was carted to various Lincoln Mercury dealers throughout the U.S. in a special trailer with large transparent side glazing so that the car could easily be viewed while still in the trailer. The tractor and trailer were painted the same color as the XM and fitted with wide whitewall tires.

LINK: Please visit The Old Car Manual Project.

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INDY 500 - 100 Years

The Indianapolis 500, celebrates its 100 Anniversary this year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana - (1960s postcard)

The event, billed as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, is considered one of the three most significant motorsports events in the world.

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Metropolitan

The Nash Metropolitan conforms to two classes of vehicle, economy car and subcompact car. In today’s terminology the Metropolitan is a “subcompact”, but this category had not yet come into use when the car was made. At that time it was variously categorized, for example as a "small automobile" as well as an "economy car."

The Metropolitan was also sold as a Hudson when Nash and Hudson merged in 1954 to form the American Motors Corporation (AMC), and later as a standalone marque during the Rambler years, as well as in the United Kingdom and other markets.

1950 NXI - Nash Experimental International

1954 NASH Metropolitan Hardtop 542

1954 and 1955 Metropolitan Advertisement

1955 Metropolitan Brochure

LINK: Much more cool stuff at Chuck's Toyland

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Buick Concept Cars

General Motors designer Harley Earl is generally credited with inventing the concept, or show, car, and did much to popularize it through its traveling Motorama shows of the 1950s. (Press release photographs)

Prominently displayed among special exhibits at the Chicago Auto Show, February 24 - March 4, will be the 1938 Buick experimental Y-Job, often referred to as America's first true dream car. With creator Harley J. Earl, GM Styling Chief.

In 1950, General Motors introduced "Le Sabre" which was truly a laboratory on wheels. Designed by the late Harley J. Earl, the GM Vice President in Charge of Styling, this low slung Buick dream car had the first panoramic windshield and many other innovations now found on production cars.

Buick's XP-300 has one of the most powerful and compact engines ever designed for an automobile. The engine is a super-charged V-8 type and has a piston displacement of slighly more than 215 cubic inches.

LINK: Lots more cool stuff to be found at Chuck's Toyland.

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Key to a Richer Life

General Motors advertisements from the 1950s.

Dollar for Dollar - You can't beat a Pontiac.

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Cadillac Cars

1957 Cadillac Biarritz Convertible Coupe - Attractive bronze lacquer finish, Big "V8" engine with dual carbs makes this a delight to drive.

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible - Pleated black leather interior, Beautiful chrome trim, Low production convertible.

1960 Cadillac Convertible Coupe - Magnificent Fleetwood interior of top grained leather, radio with automatic antenna. Cruise in comfort at up to 18 m.p.g.

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American Motors

On January 14th, 1954 the American Motors Corporation was formed by the merger of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and the Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198 million. Had AMC survived, they would have been celebrating their 55th anniversary this month. But it was not ment to be!

While the "Big Three" introduced ever larger cars, AMC followed a "dinosaur-fighter" strategy by focusing on the compact car, a fuel efficient vehicle twenty years before there was a real need for them. And a refusal to participate in the Big Three's restyling race policy helped Rambler develop a reputation as solid economy cars.

So let's take a look back at some of the car designs that AMC inherited, in photos and advertisments provided by Charles D. Test at Chuck's Toyland. A website of wonderful and historic "STUFF".

1952 Nash Ambassador Super 5265.

1952 Nash Healey photograph in living color.

1952 Nash Pinin Farina Ambassador Custom.

1953 Rambler Custom Convertible.

1954 The Saturday Evening Post advertisement.

1955 Indianapolis Nash Rambler dealership.

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Vintage Wheels

Pierce Arrow "66" Raceabout - From the Henry Austin Clark Jr. Collection of Antique Automobiles, on display at the Carnival of Cars Auto Museum, Times Square, N.Y., and the Long Island Auto Museum, Southhampton, New York. (postcard circa 1970s)

1928 Bugatti Royale Coupe - From the collection of Briggs S. Cunningham. Color photo by the Long Island Auto Museum, Southampton, New York. The museum is open from 9 to 5 daily June thru September, and on week-ends in late May and October. (postcard circa 1970s)

1918 Roamer Sport Touring - From the collection of A.C. Baker, Battle Creek, Michigan. Published by the Long Island Auto Museum, Southampton, New York. The museum is open from 9 to 5 daily June thru September, and on week-ends in late May and October. (postcard circa 1970s)

1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster - From the collection of Miles Coverdale, Manhasset, Long Island, New York. Published by the Long Island Auto Museum, Southampton, New York. The museum is open from 9 to 5 daily June thru September, and on week-ends in late May and October. (postcard circa 1970s)

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Studebaker Lark

1959-61 Studebaker Lark automobile dealer postcards from Clark Buick Co., Inc., 79 State Street, Augusta, Maine.

Smart LARK 2-Door Sedan --- by Studebaker - Economy the other compacts envy! Also available with utility floor instead of rear seat. Any Lark gives you greatest overall economy in gas mileage, brake life, tire wear, maintence and high resale value.

Luxurious LARK 4-Door Sedan --- by Studebaker - Big ride, big room, big buy! Truly a full-sized car inside. The Lark seats 6 in roomy comfort. Wide doors, flat floors give The LArk the easiest entry and exit of any compact. You must try it to appreciate it.

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The 1956 Oldsmobiles

These are 5 rare 1956 Oldsmobile Car Dealer Trading Cards. If anyone is interested, they are listed for sale on ETSY. Great cards - Awesome cars!!!

~ Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Four-Door Sedan ~

~ Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight De Luxe Holiday Sedan ~

~ Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday Sedan ~

~ Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Coupe ~

~ Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight De Luxe Holiday Coupe ~

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Classic Wheels

These postcards were produced by Audio Visual Designs of Earlton, New York. A company that is very well known for producing a lot of really great railroad postcards, since the 1960s.

1936 Ford V-8 powered coupe is on display at the Altamont, New York Fairgrounds. In 1936, Ford boasted nineteen Standard and DeLuxe models.

1951 Chevrolet De Luxe Fleetline Two Door Sedan, one of the fast-back models, is seen in front of the general store in Earlton, New York. Designated model 2152, the car was part of the De Luxe JK series.

One of the most popular trucks for Chevrolet was the 1946 1/2 ton pickup. This fine example, equipped with a factory four speed transmission, is shown at the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Dock Office at Huron, Ohio.

1941 Oldsmobile "NEW, ultra modern style!" The Oldsmobile ad copy for 1941 jumped of the page. And this fastback Dynamic Cruiser model 78 four door sedan backed up the claim.