Modern images - in color - to relieve some of the stress

[Gary_Ash]

We had a stress-free day at the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, Mass. on Cape Cod.  The Museum brought a number of their fine cars out on the lawn and brought others out of storage for display on the floor.  It was a perfect late summer day, 70 °F, blue sky, gentle breeze.  Everyone wore masks and social distanced so we could move around the cars.  We drove our 1941 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser to the show, stopped for a lobster roll in Padanaram, stared at the boats in the harbor.  Then a nice nap!

 

Here are lots of photos of cars that you may have seen in the old b&w photos.  There were many colorful cars, even in the old days.  All the cars pictured belong to the museum, except my Studebaker.

 

The Heritage Museum main galleries.

 

1909 White Steamer used by President Taft.  This is an enormous car!

 

1909 White steamer used by President Taft

 

1932 Auburn boat tail speedster

 

1930 Cadillac V16

 

1930 Duesenberg Model J, belonged to Gary Cooper

 

1915 Ford Model T, rare body style

 

1950 Ford Custom

 

1965 Ford Country Squire station wagon, a recent acquisition

 

1910 Knox Model R

 

1927 Lincoln Sport Touring

 

Locomobile in 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race being driven by George Robertson

 

1912 Mercer Raceabout engine

 

1912 Mercer Raceabout

 

1912 Oldsmobile Autocrat

 

1912 Oldsmobile Autocrat cockpit

 

1912 Packard 1-48 Victoria

 

1932 Packard 900M

 

1909 Reo Model D

 

1915 Stutz Bearcat

 

1899 Winton

 

My 1941 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser at Padanaram Harbor.

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by Gary_Ash (see edit history)

[60FlatTop]

That Mercer reminds my of James Melton's car. might have to read Bright Wheels Rolling yet another time tonight.

[A. Ballard 35R]

Do they have the Mercer running? It was waiting to have work done the last time I saw it which was many years ago. As many are aware, this Mercer is the one that belonged to writer Ken Purdy and was the subject of various articles he wrote.

[pmhowe]

How neat! I wish I could have been there. Wish I were there for the lobster rolls, too! Thank you for posting.

Phil

[edinmass]

The Coper Duesenberg is a bunch of fun......had a chance to snoop around it a bit a while back. I can’t get over the paint scheme.......even though it’s correct. It’s a nice museum and a great collection with fantastic people running the place. I hope to return soon.

[Studemax]

Great stuff, Gary!

[1937hd45]

5 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

That Mercer reminds my of James Melton's car. might have to read Bright Wheels Rolling yet another time tonight.

CLOSE! That was Ken Purdy's the author of Bright Wheels Turning. He lived 4 miles down the road from me in Wilton, Ct. James Melton lived in Westport and housed the collection on Rt 7 in Norwalk. 

 

Bob 

[pal run]

My Grandfather is Conrad Lofink.  Going to visit his restoration 1912 Mercer at the Heritage Museum in Sandwich MA next Wednesday.  They got it running last year.  Would love to find a listing of Melton's collection.

[1937hd45]

2 hours ago, pal run said:

My Grandfather is Conrad Lofink.  Going to visit his restoration 1912 Mercer at the Heritage Museum in Sandwich MA next Wednesday.  They got it running last year.  Would love to find a listing of Melton's collection.

 

 

From Wilton,Ct. right? Did he restore cars for other people in the area? Bob 

[pal run]

Wilton is correct.  

Relatives have told me that Connie was Melton's Head Mechanic when his cars were in Norwalk CT.  Have also been told there were other early cars that he is credited with restoring.

My siblings and I have no living older relatives that would have more knowledge of his workings.  My two older brothers and I were all born after Grandpas' passing.  The picture we have of him with the Mercer is how we grew up knowing him.