Period Photo Thread

[Roger Walling 631]

The Rocket Man is actually the new atom bomb delivery system developed by Iran

[T-Head 22]

Home James.

[T-Head 22]

And no monkey business.

[T-Head 22]

Two women inside of a plexiglass 1940 Pontiac show car. This car still exists today.

[T-Head 22]

And for our final Freaky Friday Lunch Special, the Standard Steel Tank Car. This was built during WW1 on an unknown chassis.

[twin6 914]

Re: post 435 and Mercedes photos. This may be a Mercedes of 1908-1910 vintage. Can anyone verify, or offer up another make for this great car? Sorry I was slow in replying. My computer had a touch of H1N1 for a few days. And is post 2 a Mercedes?

Edited January 29, 2010 by twin6 (see edit history)

[twin6 914]

And now, for something completely different. One of Buffalo, New York's lesser known cars, the Parenti was no match for Pierce Arrow. Relatively few were made, and maybe this batch "off to Pittsburgh" represents a large portion of their output.

[T-Head 22]

A very unique bus and truck that was probably the tire shops dream. I do not know much about trucks and buses but this pair really caught my eye. All that I know is that the photo was taken in San Francisco and they must be from the mid twenties thru the mid thirties. I hope that there is someone out there that can enlighten us.

[T-Head 22]

While we are on big things, take a look at these two. They are labeled 1930 Federals.

[stude8 0]

What happened to the Studebaker powered race cars after 1933?<O:p</O:p

.<O:p</O:p

The Studebaker factory team was dispersed in several directions, the #34 car was sold to Firestone Tire for use in their Chicago Worlds Fair exhibit for 1933 and 34. In later 1934 a wealthy sportsman from Elgin, IL bought it and had it modified into a 2-door roadster of sorts. On its first drive it became stuck on a railroad crossing due to low clearance and retired to his garage until after WWII. It was traded toward purchase of a new Hudson in 1949, was raced in SCCA events in IL until 1954. It was purchased by Brooks Stevens in 1955 from a Sheboygan, WI used car lot. Stevens had it rebodied to its 1933 racing style.<O:p</O:p

After Stevens passed away, it was acquired from his estate in 1996 by present owner August Grasis. *The original race body removed in 1935 appeared in a Chicago southside alley in 1960’s, was bought by Harrah’s and is now located in a CA collection.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

Internal memo’s indicate 1933 car #9 was exported to South Africa in 1935 where it was raced as late as 1959 when it had become no longer competitive. Subsequent owners used parts of the engine to rebuild the one in a 1928 Studebaker limousine turned into a hearse.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

When the 1933 car #6 was created from the 1932 #22 car, the 1932 body was preserved and later reunited with its chassis in 1937 as the #53 Sobonite Spl that finished 10<SUP>th</SUP> at Indy. After that event, it was acquired by Virgil Exner, then in 1941 period appeared as a sport car in SCCA events until Studebaker bought it back in 1952 for use in their 100<SUP>th</SUP> Anniversary events. Later in 1962 it was freshened up to 1932 specs and made exhibition laps driven by Cliff Bergere (who drove it to 3<SUP>rd</SUP> place in 1932) at Indianapolis when Studebaker was the pace car provider.<O:p</O:p

Ownership conveyed to Studebaker STP division and presently it is on loan to Indy 500 Museum at the Speedway.<O:p</O:p

*While still in its 1933 aero body, #6 was dressed up as an advertising car and made appearances around the country in 1934.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

The history of car #46 is unclear, however in 1990 well used remnants of car alleged to be those of #46 were shipped to Indianapolis 500 Museum shops from Germany to be restored to its 1932 appearance. The restored car was a very accurate replica and now appears in European vintage racing events driven by Herr Alfred Weber its owner.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

The images show

A_ KunsPhoto1933StudebakerTeam;<O:p</O:p

B_1933 #34 in its new 1935 sportcar attire; <O:p</O:p

C_ 1933 #34 original body in a Chicago alley; <O:p</O:p

D_ 1933 #9 car at Kimberley Hundred race 1935, Doug van Riet driver;<O:p</O:p

E_ 1933 #9 car as Tex Kingon driver/mechanic “fettles” engine in Africa;<O:p</O:p

F_ Very special photo of #53 Sobonite Spl from 1937, it was carried through pits at Indy by mechanic John Peck and bears 41 autographs of famous drivers and other personalities present that day; <O:p</O:p

G_ 1933#6 dressed up for promo tours after Indy in front of Studebaker Admin Bldg South Bend;<O:p</O:p

H_ 1933#6 at a dealership in New York;<O:p</O:p

I_ 1933#6 at Midway, PA where someone’s lady friend got to take a spin in it;<O:p</O:p

J_ 1933#6 at Midway, PA with Police escort, note siren on front of new 1934 Studebaker sedan at left;<O:p</O:p

K_ The Exner 1941 sportcar conversion of car #22; <O:p</O:p

L_ 1933 #46 equipped for tire testing at Indianapolis trials;

See post #530 for last two images

Edited January 30, 2010 by stude8 (see edit history)

[stude8 0]

These two images relate to previous post, I exceeded quantity of images limit.

Stude8

K_ The Exner 1941 sportcar conversion of car #22; <O:p</O:p

L_ 1933 #46 equipped for tire testing at Indianapolis trials;

[T-Head 22]

This is a nice photo of the start of an endurance tour of some form in Minneapolis. Unfortunately the men are in front of most of the cars but we do have a good look at #3 a Lozier Briarcliff touring.

[Guest mlongfield]

How about a Mercer on the track side?

[fotofan 10]

These two images relate to previous post, I exceeded quantity of images limit.

Stude8

K_ The Exner 1941 sportcar conversion of car #22; <o></o>

L_ 1933 #46 equipped for tire testing at Indianapolis trials;

Hi, Stude 8. Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the pix of these historic Studebaker Indy cars in your numerous posts on the thread. I've been a big fan of these cars since I first met Bob Valpey about 25 years ago, and these period images have been just great!

[stude8 0]

*This is the last installment of Studebaker Racing history, I hope our esteemed moderator is lenient about some later than 1941 images that complete the story.

“Hope Springs Eternal” for some of the independent Studebaker powered cars at Indy.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

Except for the #37 Hunt Spl car owned by Ab Jenkins famous cross country and endurance driver, several non-factory sponsored cars continued to appear at Indy up to 1941 and even after WWII.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

The #37 Hunt car became the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> factory car after #22 & #34 to be converted to a sport car for street use. It was driven around Salt Lake City, UT by Marvin Jenkins then sold to Ray Donald in CA then in 1973 was purchased by Stan Smith Sr & Jr who returned it to its 1931 appearance. Presently owned by Bob Valpey of NH.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

The 1932 body of car #18 was recovered from the estate of Charles Kozen a Chicago race promoter in the 1960’s by Charles Schwab a car enthusiast and eventually sold to Mike Cleary of CA who had a replica 1932 #18 constructed for the 1984 American Great Race Rally. This car still appears at West Coast vintage racing events.

<O:p</O:pOne of the most prolific Studebaker independents was the Russell 8 #4 of Russ Snowberger that won pole starting spot in 1931, finished 5<SUP>th</SUP> then with a new Hupmobile 8 engine became the “Hup Comet” in 1932 again finished 5<SUP>th</SUP>. It returned in 1934 as #58 the Scott Spl with a Studebaker 360 CID engine but wrecked at lap12. In 1937 it reappeared as #67 the Ray Eight with a Studebaker Commander 8 when its luck ran out. The Mannix Spl struck it in the pits, two track workers were killed in subsequent fire that destroyed both cars.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

A second Snowberger chassis car with a President 8 engine finished 8<SUP>th</SUP> in 1933 & 34. In 1935 it qualified as #39 the Blue Prelude and finished its career in 22<SUP>nd</SUP> place. Present status unknown.<O:p</O:p

<O:p</O:p

As their performance was slowly surpassed over the years the Studebaker powered cars dropped out of the running, one of these was the Art Rose Spl in 1933 that finished 6<SUP>th</SUP>, in future races it was called Schroeder Spl; Boyle Products Spl and finally Thorne Spl in 1937 when it failed to qualify and retired. In mid 1940’s it resided in a South Bend, IN collection, present whereabouts unknown.

<O:p</O:pAnother prolific car was the Nowiak-Magnee Commander 8 front drive that entered seven times at Indy from 1936 until 1946 known as American Twist Drill Spl, Precise Tool Spl, Greenfield Spl and last Enlist in USA where it was 1<SUP>st</SUP> alternate but did not run. It was restored in 1980’s and exists in an east coast collection today.

<O:p</O:pThe next to last Studebaker was #32 Kuehl-Osborne Spl designed by Virgil Exner and powered with a Studebaker inline 8, entered for 1947 but failed to qualify. The Exner body style was very advanced for its time, unfortunately the body was replaced in 1950 with a stretched production Studebaker body by Dave Kuehl a Studebaker engineer and still exists today in Indiana.

<O:p</O:pThe last Studebaker powered race car was the 1952 #97 Agajanian Spl powered by the famous Willie Utzman DOHC Studebaker 232 CID V8. It was DNQ at Indy and the marvelous engine survives at Smith Speedway Motors Museum in Lincoln, NE.

Stude8

<O:p</O:p

The images show

A_ 1931 #37 Hunt Spl in its late 1930’s sport car appearance;<O:p</O:p

B_1932 #18 Studebaker Spl body as recovered in a Chicago alley; <O:p</O:p

C_ 1937 #67 Ray Eight after Indy 500 pit collision and fire; <O:p</O:p

D_ 1937 #52 Thorne Spl after retirement;<O:p</O:p

E_ 1937 #52 Thorne Spl after retirement;<O:p</O:p

F_ 1946 #32 Kuehl-Osborne Spl Exner Body;<O:p</O:p

G_ 1952 #97 Willie Utzman DOHC Studebaker V8

Edited January 31, 2010 by stude8 (see edit history)

[South_paw 2]

1939 LaSalle on the General Motors test track in 1938

[T-Head 22]

I think that we should all give stude8 a standing ovation for the wonderful job he did on the Studebaker racing story at Indy!!!!!!!

I also think that we should appoint him to be a Head Chairman of all things Studebaker on this thread. And of coarse this means he have to keep us entertained with more features.

Keep up the great work stude8 and fill us in on more of the great Studebaker story!!!!!

[T-Head 22]

Great photo of the workers at a garage in Israel. I am guessing that their speciality was Dodge.

[T-Head 22]

A 1917 Locomobile that I believe is a Model 38 judging by the length of the hood. It is a custom body by the Seaman Body Co.

[T-Head 22]

Who can tell us more about this very custom Cunningham with the wild paint and the cape top? I have heard that it was used in a movie and I am hoping that one of you out there can enlighten us.

[T-Head 22]

Oh how they used to make fun of Tin Lizzy in Her days.

[T-Head 22]

I don't think we should mess with her.

[fotofan 10]

I agree, T, but what the heck could possibly be going on here?!?!?

[T-Head 22]

For my last post I thought this would fit in as Stude8 has shown us photos of him racing Studebakers. Cliff Bergere was a very talented driver with a great career. This photo shows him in his Model A Duesenberg.

[AACA Library 173]

Your AACA Library & Research Center has tens of thousands of photographs, postcards and illustrations. Recently the library was given a scrapbook made by Edsel Ford that documented a cross country trip he & a few of his buddies made during the summer of 1915. There was an article documenting the trip in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of The Horseless Carriage Gazette.

That is Edsel on the horse & the stone building is the lookout building at the Grand Canyon. The gun play? Just boys being boys!

-Chris

[T-Head 22]

The Monday morning hustle and bustle in Los Angeles on Santa Fe & Olympic. Photo 1936

[T-Head 22]

Your AACA Library & Research Center has tens of thousands of photographs, postcards and illustrations. Recently the library was given a scrapbook made by Edsel Ford that documented a cross country trip he & a few of his buddies made during the summer of 1915. There was an article documenting the trip in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of The Horseless Carriage Gazette.

That is Edsel on the horse & the stone building is the lookout building at the Grand Canyon. The gun play? Just boys being boys!

-Chris

Chris.......please treat us to more photos. Many Thanks, T-Head

[Steve Moskowitz 2,381]

This was MY dealership before it got the Olds and Buick franchise! You could have a haircut too! Merrilville, Indiana circa 1908 I believe.

Our great library will try to post a new photo every day!

[Paul Dobbin 940]

Steve, What's the car in front of the old clip joint?

[T-Head 22]

Steve, What's the car in front of the old clip joint?

Paul, I would guess that it is a 1912 Overland. Best T-Head

[T-Head 22]

Today we are going to watch the rest of the parade here in Kerrville TX. Afterwards we can then grab a sandwich at the coffee shop in the Blue Bonnet Hotel. After lunch let's take a quick trip over to Freer TX and stop at the City Hall and get a fishing license and go fishing there. Photos labeled 1940 and 1937.

[Steve Moskowitz 2,381]

Paul, it was never identified to me. They started out with a garage and then got a Buick franchise. In '23 they got Olds and it was in the same family when I went to work for them in 1974 and then in 1985 when I bought the store. I will post later pictures in the future.

THIS IS THE #1 VIEWED THREAD EVER ON THE FORUM!

[T-Head 22]

On the way back from fishing I have to take you to this neat gas station called The Happy Landing. The pumps are under the wings of the plane on each side and the rest rooms and office are inside, I think you will enjoy it. Photo 1936.

[twin6 914]

The pride of Cleveland - here are a couple nice Wintons I'd gladly find space for in the garage. One for warm weather outings, and one for days like today.

[T-Head 22]

After we go to the Happy Landing, I want to stop at that junk yard next to the factory. I spied what looks like a custom bodied, close coupled convertible sedan that looks to be salvageable. It is yellow and the top looks good plus it has a nice trunk on the back. I heard that it is a good Buick that a Doctor from the big city left here in town because he burnt the clutch out. I think we can fix it there and but some tires on it and drive it home. A little paint and we can have a nice car for vacation trips.

Edited February 1, 2010 by T-Head (see edit history)

[T-Head 22]

A big hello from the 1932 Essex Women.

[T-Head 22]

Would you buy a used car from these guys?

[T-Head 22]

And for my final monday lunch special I am going to trump twin6 and his two Winton's. He and I are both here in snowy cold Vermont and I am going to raise him by three Pierce-Arrows in sunny and warm California. All are mid teens the last two probably model 38's with California Tops.

[twin6 914]

Well, with lunch on the agenda (or "dinner" as some call the noon meal), how about steaming over to The Forks Hotel, in Drake, Colorado. Not far from Estes Park, it was a favorite spot for Stanley owners and guests, and it is still in business today. Here are a couple photos with Stanleys from about 1908.

[T-Head 22]

Could you please park closer to the fire hydrant next time dear?