Tag Archive: The Great Depression

Jun
01

What Auto Is This? “This Door Was Built For A Man Not An Eel”

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This quality car maker opened its door in 1909. In its first year it produced 500 vehicles. By 1910 they sold over 5000 automobiles. Founded by two brothers who were former Ford and Oldsmobile employees they left the company the company that beared their name by 1912. They would also be one of the first automakers to feature an all steel body. With a new plant built in 1924 they were able to be a strong rival to Chevrolet and Ford. By 1928 they sold over 65,000 automobiles. So flush with cash they were able to buy the Chandler Motor Car Company in 1928 to increase its market share.

By the time The Great Depression hit in the early 1930′s they were losing sales and market share due to a lack of low priced models. Trying to boost sales they employeed soon to be famous stylist Raymond Lowey to create an Art Deco Aerodynamic body. The featured 1933 auto featured the Lowey styling in a mid priced automobile. Powered by a 90 horsepower 221 cubic inch flathead six cylinder engine. Other inovations included the first USA automobile with a free wheeling clutch and sealed beam headlamps.

In the mid priced field you could buy four different bodies. A two  and four door sedan, two door coupe and sleek roadster. The two door sedan would be its biggest seller with a selling price of $995.00 and 4655 finding homes. Known for some of the most unusual ad slogans of it era. Some were “For people who go places and do things” and the odd ” This door was built for a man not an eel” Even with all this style, fun slogans and inovation this once proud make was gone by late 1939. These 1933 models are considered some of the best produced by this superb automaker. What Auto Is This?

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Apr
09

A Peerless Love Story or This Is Another Fine Mess I’ve Gotten Myself Into..

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As the saying goes..”All good things come to those who wait” Well not too sure about all good but in my case a 1929 Peerless Model 6-81. For as long as my car soaked brain can recall parked in my hometown of Port Jefferson NY has been a very lonely 1929 Peerless. As some of you know in its day Peerless was one of the “Three P’s Of Motordom” in the 1920,s and 1930′s. Considered one of the best cars of its era. The other two P’s being Packard and Pierce Arrow. Some say the thing that killed Peerless was they made the cars too good.

The average car in its day would last maybe 5 years. Peerless was known for going 10 years plus with no major repairs. Truth be told it was The Great Depression and Peerless lack of a lower priced model that sent it packing by late 1931. The story of this wonderful piece of automotive history is a two part love affair. It’s soon to be past owner is an amazing women who purchased the restored jewel over 18 years ago. From the start she had a love affair with the Peerless. Her intent was to use it for her costume company as a prop and for weekend drives with her husband.

As time and life passed by the Peerless was parked and became part of the backdrop of our pretty harbor town. Still she refused to sell it hoping that one day it could be brought back to its past glory. Many people asked but she refused despite the price. As with most love affairs it is tough to let go.  The second part of the love story is me. I have always had a desire and romance for  cars from the 1920′s and 1930′s. Years ago when I spotted it parked it was love at first sight. For years me and the owner would talk. About life. About the Peerless.

About her future plans for the Peerless. She was glad to know that I knew about the history of Peerless and its role in automotive history. Still no sale. She promised if she did sell it I would be the person she would sell it too. I had to promise to keep it close by and not sell the car for profit. I did. But I was running out of time. I needed to have a classic car ready for the Lincoln Highway 2013 tour. When I was at Spring Carlisle 2012 I fell for a fully restored 1936 Chevrolet Standard for a great price. Still it was not the Peerless. I called her son explaining I needed to know if she wanted to sell or not. If not than I would purchase the beautiful old Chevrolet. Few hours later the phone rang and she was ready to let her love go. Maybe she felt like I was cheating with another car or something in her life had changed. Sometimes its tough to let go. So now its a race to August 2013 to get the much loved Peerless ready for the Lincoln Highway Cross Country Tour.  Unlike most love stories this one is going to have a happy ending. Oh well this is another fine mess I’ve gotten myself into..  ENJOY THE PEERLESS BEFORE SLIDE SHOW..

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Apr
06

Did You Know? Packard Was The First Car Company To Offer Air Conditioning In 1939 ..Trivia For 1930′s Week

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Unlike most independent makes Packard surrived The Great Depression. Part of the reason was that by the mid 1930′s Packard offered lower priced cars. Some models even came with a entry level six cylinder. Offering Packard quality at a Nash prices. With this lower price model Packard was able to keep the cash flow going. Not wanting to sell entry level products would prove to be the demise of luxury makes like Pierce Arrow and Peerless. Packard still catered to their target customers the Richie Riches of the day. in the 1930′s Packard prodcued some of the grandest classic cars of all time.  By 1939 things were looking better thanks in part to FDR and his New Deal programs. Partly because people were just feeling better about things. One of Packards biggest markets was to export to heads of states in other countries. Wanting to keep these mucky mucks cool was something Packard wanted to do.

Using the same basic idea as a home air conditioning unit Packard mounted a crank driven compressor to the engine. Mounted in the trunk was 150lbs of condensor, evaporator, and hoses that fed thru the bottom of the car to a rear seat mounted unit. Guess the slobs in the front seat could melt. The option was not offered in the lower series cars. In fact no mention of the mammoth system even entered any Packard brochures till 1941. As you guessed only 84 cars got the $274.00 option in 1939.  Packard placed ads in Life Magazine bragging “Forget the heat this summer in the only air condtioned car in the world” Did You Know?

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Apr
06

From The Great Depression To The Dawn Of War It’s 1930′s Week On Carlisle Johnny

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The 1930′s was a crucial decade in history.  As we said good buy to Prohibition we ushered in The Great Deprssion. In some people opinions Franklin D Roosevelt was our greatest president as his New Deal gave hope to a starving nation. FDR’s New Deal provided jobs that helped America expand. Roads were built. Bridges and Dams were built that changed the landscape forever. People were able to travel in perhaps the only possesion they had. Their automobile. The 1930′s was the era of some of the grandest classic’s of all time. the rise of Packard. The rise and fall of Pierce Arrow and Peerless. The V16 Cadillac. We said goodbye to many a car company and watched as GM became a powerhouse. The 1930′s was the very worst and the very best that the auto industry had to offer. Take a trip back to the 30′s with Carlisle Johnny and C.A.R.S.Classic Auto Appraisals to a simpler time. Using great old ads, trivia and photos from Great Depression icon Dorothea Lange we will show you the blight and delight of one of the grandest decades in automotive history.

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Mar
17

The Answer to 03/16/2011′s Auto Quiz

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The answer to 03/16/2011′s What Auto is This?? Quiz is the 1916 Packard Twin Six. Its 60 degree narrow angle was so smooth that sales brochures at the time said. “Smoother than a steam engine” Hmmm not to sure how smooth steam is but this 485 cubic inch behemoth was plenty was smooth for its day. Packard made the V12 “Twin Six” from 1916-1923. It would bring it back with many upgrades in 1932 in time for the Great Depression. A car for the wealthy the Packard “12″ was a marvel of luxury and power. These V12′s would see duty in WWII in boats and fighter planes. Packard would go on to make some of Americas greatest classic cars. Take a moment and check out a cool vintage Packard TV commercial from 1955..

And for the best in Classic Packard Parts visit our friends at Kanter Auto Products 

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Mar
13

What Auto is This ..This Air Cooled Luxury Car Didn’t Survive The Great Depression

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This pioneer of air cooled vehicles opened its doors in Syracuse New York in 1902. It’s founder nade his fortune in the metal die casting industry. A term he bragged he invented. Throughout its history it was known as “The Car Beautiful”. Considered a luxury make it competed against heavy hitters like Packard, Peerless and Pierce Arrow. From the first vehicle in 1902 to its

 last in 1934 these durable stlyish vehicles were air cooled. Its chief engineer a former bike mechanic and racer created it with an almost airplane like durability. This company was also one of the independent makes that made over 80% of its own metal parts. Known for its varied body styles, luxury and robust air cooled engines this amazing make would close its doors in 1934 due to the crush of the Great Depression. What 1930′s Auto Is This ??  

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Jan
25

What Auto Is This?? Is This Art Deco Hauler The Most Beautiful Pickup Of All Time?

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To See What Auto Is This “Click” Here

Considered by many as the most beautiful pickup of the 1930′s this Art Deco charmer was both a superb 1/2 ton hauler and piece of automotive sculpture. The company that made this artistic hauler was founded in 1900 as producer of engine parts for other makes. It first started producing vehicles in 1915.  One of its founding brothers wanted to produce their own car because he was “Tired of being carried around in Henry Ford’s vest pocket” The founding brothers always wanted to be a more upscale choice to the Ford Model T. 

The founding brothers dislike of Henry Ford would be driving force till there deaths in 1920. By 1920 this car company would rank as second in sales behind arch rival Ford. Upon the brothers passing the company would be thrust into the hands of the widows. By 1928 they had dropped to 7th place in sales and then were sold to another automotive giant.  As the Great Depression put a choke on the country this company was able to stay afloat because of its quality mid priced prodcucts and deep pockets of its now corporate parent. 1934 the entire lineup would get a total re-style called “Wind Stream” look. This swoopy look would help them reach 4th place that year. Even with its semi low price it still offered features that neither Chevy of Ford did not have. Full pressure lubrication and hydraulic brakes were just a few. Known for its robust drivetrain and classic looks these trucks have become a favorite of Street Rodders for decades. Very few original examples still survive. What Auto Is This??     

Great Depression photographer Dorothea Lange was a master at capturing both the blight and feeling of the era. Here she is seen on the roof of a 1934 Ford Woody.. 

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