Crosley Road Trip (part 2)

No location is listed on the reverse of this photo -- but we know from others that it was taken in Portsmouth, Ohio.

"Jimmy Dwight
316 No. 8th St.
May - 48"

We tried to Google the address to see where little J.D. was that day -- but the maps can't seem to find the exact location. (8th Street runs east to west -- so where do you go for North 8th Street?)

What do you suppose he's doing...sitting so calmly on the wall, with his feet on cinderblocks? We can only guess.

Crosley Road Trip (part 1)

Sometimes you stumble across pictures that tell a story. Other times you find pictures, and you wish you knew what the story was. This is the first of several photos that seem to document the road trips of a few young men -- across Ohio in their trusty Crosley Sedan. The backs of the photos identify some names and show that this car took the young men through several towns in southern Ohio, near the Kentucky and West Virginia borders.

"Malvern, Bill, Jim & J.D. (crying)
Ironton, Ohio -- June 26th.
Charles over fence"

No year -- but, based on the other photos, it is probably 1948.

Mystery Car

The photo is marked "1947" on the reverse, and we're guessing it was taken in Europe. Other than that -- we're not really sure.

Take a guess, and drop us a note.

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby

You've got us. This posting has absolutely nothing to do with the song, "Ruby", by the Kaiser Chiefs. In fact, we had never heard of the band -- but stumbled on the song as we were looking up some information on the Austin 7 Ruby.



The back of the photo identifies this car as a "Four-passenger Ruby Saloon", with a stamp that is was received on October 30, 1936 by the editorial department. (But we don't know what publication the photo came from. It is also marked, "1937", leading us to believe that this was a promotional photo of a 1937 model.

According to the Austin Seven Companion, the first Ruby was announced in 1934. "During its production run, the Ruby, its variants and derivatives must have been built in numbers approaching 90,000. These cars provided, and continue to provide, excellent and enjoyable motoring for many enthusiasts. Criticism is made sometimes of the Ruby's greater weight than the earlier cars, but it is worth pointing out that the heavier construction was to accommodate a monster load: as the 1934 handbook says, 'this new model will carry in comfort four adults up to a weight of 40 stones'. and who knows how many motorists that heavy there were about in the 1930's."

Racing Tigers

The concept of racing microcars has always appealed to us, so we were quite pleased to find these photos in an old issue of the German magazine, OLDTIMER-MARKT (November 1994).

The sum of its Qualitaten lets it also on the racing course -- even in capacity-stronger classes -- a Wörtchen put in a word. Equipped with 40's Solex carburetors, he approves himself to such causes up to 16 litres gasoline on 100 kilometers! Pretty often Fend thereby sits term steering wheel sport tigers with that Regensburg characteristic R-AX-350 -- and it is told, the work drivers well would do not to overhaul their boss.

Wow...online translation services still aren't perfect.

If you understand German, you are probably better off translating that paragraph from the November issue of Oldtimer-Markt yourself.

Die Summe seiner Qualitaten läßt ihn auch auf der Rennstrecke -- selbst in hubraumstärkeren Klassen -- ein Wörtchen mitreden. Mit 40er Solex-Vergaser bestückt, genehmigt er sich zu solchen Anlässen bis zu 16 Liter Benzin auf 100 Kilometern! Nicht selten sitzt Fend dabei selbst hinterm Lenker des Sport-Tiger mit dem Regensburger Kennzeichen R-AX-350 -- und es wird erzählt, die Werksfahrer würden gut daran tun, ihren Chef nicht zu überholen.

Hanomag (Kommißbrot)

Bild A-7

BUNTE BX AUTO-BILDER
Reihe 1, Kraftfahrzeuge

Hanomag (Kommißbrot)

Serie A
Aus der Frühzeit des Kraftwagens

1 Zylinder, 500 ccm, Heckmotor, hergestellt bis 1927

Hanomag A.G., Hannover

Bilder-Studio Bemeleit jr. - Frankfurt a.M. - Vilbeler Str. 29

(For more about the Hanomag, check the December 28, 2008 posting.)

Scootacar

MINIATURE CARS & Scooters

A Series of 25

No. 7
SCOOTACAR, Britain

The stubby Hunslet "SCOOTACAR" styled with two front wheels and single rear, seats two tandemwise. Powered by a 197 cc unit, it has a top speed in excess of 45 m.p.h. with low fuel consumption.

ISSUED BY
Ewbanks Ltd.
EAGLE WORKS - PONTEFRACT

Tourette...Syndrome?

MINIATURE CARS
& Scooters

A Series of 25

No. 8
TOURETTE, Britain

Introduced by the English branch of the German firm Progress, this three-wheeler resembles the design of the "BRUTSCH". It has a plastic body and is powered by a 197 cc engine. Top speed about 45 m.p.h.

ISSUED BY
Ewbanks Ltd.
EAGLE WORKS - PONTEFRACT

Play your Messerschmitt Card

MINIATURE CARS
& Scooters

A Series of 25

No. 18
MESSERSCHMITT (Roadster), Germany

The "Roadster" offspring of another famous firm, is the three-wheel version. It has an air-cooled 191 cc engine fitted in the rear, capable of approximately 65 m.p.h. Seats two and one child (small), tandemwise.

ISSUED BY
Ewbanks Ltd.
EAGLE WORKS - PONTEFRACT

A three-wheeled "Woody"?

MINIATURE CARS
& Scooters

A series of 25

No. 11
DAVID, Spain

A three-wheeler, obtainable as either saloon or utility style vehicle. The engine, placed above the front wheel, develops 10 h.p. at 4,000 revs. and gives a top speed of approximately 50 m.p.h.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
EAGLE WORKS - PONTEFRACT

Grandma Prefers Her Tractor

While many of us would do almost anything for a Messerschmitt, this woman appears to prefer her tractor when it comes to transportation. (Maybe the tractor is a better option for her family of six, than the little, tandem-seat, Messerschmitt.)

Can anyone tell us where these shots were taken?

A Little Military History Here

We can tell you that the car is a post-war Crosley Wagon -- and we're pretty sure it is a pre-1949 model (CC Model 1946-1948). But we're not so sure about the other details.

Is the young man in the Navy or the AirForce -- and what are the planes in the background? (They kinda' look like Grumman Bearcats, but they are awfully small.)

If you have any ideas, let us know.

Where do you go to get that little car fixed?

Of course...you go to the "Servizio Fiat". Why didn't I know that?

There is an array of Fiats and other cars, (I think there is a Renault 4CV in there as well) all parked in front of the Fiat Service Garage. Other than that, we have no idea what we are looking at. (The sign under the "INA" on the left reads: "National Insurance Institute policies guaranteed from the state". So, maybe they are all there to get their insurance renewed.)

Taking a BMW 600 Through the Mountains

It may seem like a crazy thing to do -- but we have the documentation showing that someone took to the mountains with their BMW 600. (Maybe it was the Liège-Brescia-Liège microcar rally.)

It's a Microcar -- but what is it?

Does anyone have any idea what this is?

The design and workmanship seems too high for it to be an amusement park ride -- but it's awfully low to the ground to be a real car. Let us know what you think.

Here's an Odd One -- Kleinschnittger

Not sure that we've ever seen one of these before -- a 1956 Kleinschnittger.

According to the ebay seller, the company only made about 3,000 of these aluminum-bodied microcars. The descriptions on Wikipedia are pretty brief -- but you might be able to get more information on this German webpage.

Framo " Stromer"

DAS AUTO VON HEUTE
255 Bilder
FRAMO "STROMER"

zweisitzeiges Cabriolet 200 ccm, luftgekühlter Ein-zylinder, Vorderradantrieb, führerscheinfreier Dreiradwagen.

Das reich ausgestattete Original-Sammel-Album zum Preise von RM 1.- ist zu beziehen durch den Spezial-Handel oder direct gegen Voreinsendung des Betrages auf Postscheck-Konto Berlin Nr.23743 vom
“Bilderdienst”, Berlin-Pankow, Berliner Straße.
3

If you'd like to read more about the Framo Stromer (in English), check out the page on 3-wheelers.com.

FULDAMOBIL

Miniature Cars & Scooters
A Series of 25

No. 4
FULDAMOBIL. Germany

The makers of the Fuldamobil, who were first to construct mini-cars after the way, presented this model in 1957. It is constructed of plastic, powered by a 191 cc unit and carries two adults.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract

"That's Bond, Bond Mk. D"

Apologies to Ian Fleming.

Miniature Cars & Scooters
A Series of 25

No. 23
BOND (Mark D), Britain
A descendant of the most popular three-wheelers, the Mark D with single front wheel driven by a 197 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine, it has a top speed of +50 m.p.h. and a consumption of 75 m.p.g.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too.

While some of us may consider ourselves "too old" to appreciate new music -- you've got to love a band that manages to feature police scooters and a Citroën 2CV in their music video.

This remake of Gloria Gaynor's disco hit, "I Will Survive", should be a hit with any minicar fan.

Mitsuoka BUBU Shuttle 50

According to the Mitsuoka website -- the BUBU Shuttle 50 launched in 1982. It was the company's first car, sporting a 50cc engine.

This japanese company seems to do a little bit of everything. We described a 500cc race car produced by the company back in April of 2008.

Keep up the Tempo

DAS AUTO VON HEUTE
255 Bilder
TEMPO “FRONT”

Zweisitziges Cabriolet, 200 ccm Zweitakter, luftgekühlter Einzylinder, füherescheinfreier Dreirad-wagen.

Das reich ausgestattete Original-Sammel-Album zum Preise von RM 1.- ist zu beziehen durch den Spezial-Handel oder direct gegen Voreinsendung des Betrages auf Postscheck-Konto Berlin Nr.23743 vom
“Bilderdienst”, Berlin-Pankow, Berliner Straße.
9

Not a clue what this says. Check out the Wikipedia Tempo site and the German Tempo Car Owners Association website.

From Tiny Cars, Mighty Tractors Grow (or something like that)

DAS AUTO VON HEUTE
255 Bilder
BUNGARTZ "BUTZ"

Offener Zweisitzer mit Gepäckanhänger, 400 ccm, 12 PS, Zweizylinder – Zweitakter, Heckmotor, Schwingachsen.

Das reich ausgestattete Original-Sammel-Album zum Preise von RM 1.- ist zu beziehen durch den Spezial-Handel oder direct gegen Voreinsendung des Betrages auf Postscheck-Konto Berlin Nr.23743 vom

“Bilderdienst”, Berlin-Pankow, Berliner Straße.
10

OK -- that's what it says on the back of the card. For more information on Bungartz (and the company's transition from cars to tractors), check out the Bungartz website.

Tell us what we have, Don Pardo -- a 1960 King Midget

This is a great segment of "The Price is Right", featuring a 1960 King Midget. The reactions of the contestants to the Midget are priceless. I'm not going to tell you what the retail price of the car was in 1960. You're just going to have to play the clip and see if you know more than the contestants.

Happy National Donut Day!

Rejoice!!

Today is the day that we all celebrate that tasty confection, the donut. We propose that you take your little cars out and get some donuts. (It is rumored that some donut chains will be offering free donuts in honor of the day -- but we didn't tell you that.)

You think we're making this up? Check it out. National Doughnut Day has been an institution since 1938.

"Jump, Jive, an' Wail" on your N.S.U. Prima

Sorry about that...just couldn't resist the reference to Louis Prima.

Miniature Cars
& Scooters
A series of 25
No. 24

N.S.U. Prima, Britain

A british machine usually made in three models.
1. "N.S.U. Prima Five Star"
2. "Prima 150 cc"
3. "Quickly Moped"
All of them finely made machines with first-class road qualities and performance. the smaller model, "Quickly Moped", is exceptionally low in feul consumption.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract

How do you drive wearing wooden shoes?

Miniature Cars
& Scooters
No. 9

Bambino, Holland

Of Dutch manufacture, this three-wheeled carriage has bodywork of plastic construction. A bench style two-seater, of pleasing appearance, it is powered by a 200 cc engine capable of over 55 m.p.h.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract

Voisin - Spain and France make a Microcar

Miniature Cars
& Scooters
A Series of 25
No. 10

Voisin, Franco-Spanish

This four-wheeler of French design is manufactured in Spain, at a quantity exceeding 300 per month. Motored by a 197 cc engine, it has a speed in excess of 45 m.p.h. Seating for two, luggage space and fold-down hood. (We would call it a top here in the US.)

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract