It's Time to Play "WHO AM I"?

210delray

GM's "Turret Top," starting with the 1935 Chevrolet (body by Fisher). Wonder why Cadillac didn't get it first?

Mr_Shiftright

That's right, 1935 Chevrolet. The Essex was a good guess, as it was (probably) the first mainstream company to offer a completely closed car; however the roof, while fully enclosed and with roll-up windows (I think, or pull up---but not windscreens), was built partly of wood and canvas, just like every other car with a hard roof, until ....1935!

The process of large panel steel stamping was not a Fisher invention. This was developed by the Budd Company, who made railroad cars.

In 1919, about 90% of all cars were open (with canvas tops and sidescreens). By 1929, 90% were closed.

One reason was that closed bodies built of wood were simply too heavy for most engines prior to 1919.

bhill2

since no one has posted for a couple of days. This one should go pretty fast.

I am not the last production American make with a 4-door convertible, but I am the next to last one. Who am I (make, model, and first year of production please).

ateixeira

My guess is...



Johnny Drama's 1965 triple black Lincoln Continental Convertible from Entourage

stephen987

Well, I thought Lincoln was the last. So what was the last before Lincoln? Hmm. 1950 Frazer Manhattan?

m6vx

Chrysler Imperial ---- late 50's?

lemko

...was the 1967 Lincoln Continental. The NEXT to last would've been the 1951 Frazer Manhattan:

Mr_Shiftright

I am a place, a building, where this song was played....over and OVER AND OVER again. (actually a series of little tunes). Many people came from all over the world to see me.

WHO AM I? (place and date).

http://www.aprilwinchell.com/h/mp3/Get_The_Feel_Of_The_Wheel.mp3

m6vx

1964 World's Fair in New York

Mr_Shiftright

That was GOOD! The Ford Pavilion at the World's Fair.

fezo

That was quick!

I remember being at that and the GM Futurama.

boomchek

I don't know why but it seems that the "old days" were more exciting than modern times. I don't know if it's the technology that isolated everyone behind their computers in today age, or if there isn't that much excitement anymore when a new car or product comes out because everything is overhyped so today's folks are more cynical in general, but it would be neat to experience life in the first half of the 20th century (apart fro the wars).

m6vx

By the time a new model shows up at your dealer today, you've already seen/heard about it for two years --- camouflaged prototypes, spy shots, autoshow announcements, and all sorts of chatter on the internet. (I gotta see it now/sooner/faster.)

Back in the day, when a new model showed up at your dealer, you stopped by to check it out. That was the first time you saw/heard about the model -- and it was brand new!

Ah.... the simpler times. ;-)

Mr_Shiftright

Yes, I think you're right---everything now is *instantly* mediated (by the media), interpreted, re-played and exhausted within days.

Can you even IMAGINE that in 1965, people CAMPED OUT in front of Ford dealerships to see the new Mustangs, which were kept under covers behind the glass of the showroom doors.

boomchek

That's cool. People camp out now to be an American Idol or to save a few bucks on a DVD player during sale days, but not cars. :sick:

I would have camped out to see a new car. I would have loved ot attend one of those motoramas or world fairs. :shades:

british_rover

I was about to say that back when you old people weren't so old, err I mean you more experienced veteran car nuts :P , they used to hide cars till the day they were released. You couldn't really see anything before that time.

Now people just camp out for free chicken Customers camp out for Chic-fil-A grand opening.

uplanderguy

I'd camp out for free Chick-Fil-A for a year! They are by far the best chicken sandwich out there. Their fries and lemonade are super too, and the service is better than the average fast-food place.

The fool who posted the first response after the article on that website, has clearly never set foot in a Chick-Fil-A. But that figures...those are the kind of folks with the loudest opinions!

Bill

british_rover

Oh not knocking chic-fil-a at all. Their waffle fries are some of the best around and a they probably have the best grilled chicken sandwich of any chain store. Their grilled chicken sandwich is better then most more upscale sit down style diners too.

Mr_Shiftright

What I'm wondering is which model(s) they left out of the song?

http://www.aprilwinchell.com/h/mp3/plymouth.mp3

lemko

I could imagine it must've been worth it to see the awesome new 1957 Chrysler lineup to those who would've camped out to get a first glimpse of them.

210delray

Long ago, when I was a middle school student, we had open lunch periods, where you could leave the school grounds. I think lunch was at least an hour long back then. My friend and I would saunter through the service area of a small Ford dealer near the school. Nobody ever told us to get lost.

In the fall of 1965, we spotted a 1966 Thunderbird there before the official introduction date. Of course, we thought that was a big deal at the time.

fezo

I had a girlfriend back when I was 18 whose family was quite well to do. Every year on the day they unveiled the new Caddys they'd drive their two cars down to the dealership and trade them for new ones.

When she got her driver's license she was bent out of shape because they bought her a year old Chevelle instead of a brand new car. This has a lot to do with why the relationship didn't work out.... Dang. My one chance to marry into money....

lemko

Wow! I had a girlfriend from a wealthy family who bought her a brand-new 1982 Cadillac Seville for her high school graduation present! I had to make do with the 1968 Buick Special Deluxe wagon I paid all of $650 for.

fezo

I remember her nearly ending our lives early with a wicked turn across traffic in her dad's 1970 DeVille in the middle of DC.... We were on the way to her prom... I had come down by train. I was immediately thinking how nice it would have been to have brought one of my folks' cars - both of which were older than that Chevelle she "put up with."

bhill2

What I'm wondering is which model(s) they left out of the song?

I could venture the Satellite, but that is just a dressy Belvedere.

bhill2

Well, I thought Lincoln was the last. So what was the last before Lincoln? Hmm. 1950 Frazer Manhattan?

I shouldn't post questions when I'm going to be off-line for a day. Stephen987 is right, and 1/2 credit goes to Lemko who only got the year wrong.

boomchek

I came on the scene to rave reviews
I took the Italians head on, didn't lose!
I was very civil and usable for my kind
I was a light, and fresh design
But my parents forgot about updating me
Without any upgrades, they just let me be
Over a decade I remained same and grew old
My competition became much more bold
Then after years of redesigns put on hold
I got discontinued, and left out in the cold.

I think this vehicle had a riddle here before though :confuse:

michaellno

Acura NSX

boomchek

You got it! I think it was a cool car in the 90s, but somewhat long in the tooth in the 00s.

boomchek

And the first line should be enough to identify it.

My name represents a great ancient tribe
My versatility is not a lie
My odd and tacky exterior looks
Meant I was ugly in most people's books
My cousing survived with a funky french name
And I ended up in car critic hell

m6vx

Aztek?

michaellno

Pontiac Aztek

fezo

Yep. Too easy.....

bhill2

Well, I thought Lincoln was the last. So what was the last before Lincoln? Hmm. 1950 Frazer Manhattan?

I shouldn't post questions when I'm going to be off-line for a day. Stephen987 is right, and 1/2 credit goes to Lemko who only got the year wrong.

Well, always one to promote accuracy and beat a dead horse, Stephen987, Lemko, and I all get 1/2 credit. I checked, and that 4-door convertible Frazier was available in 1949. As a side note, it was also available as a Kaiser.

I'll let the whole thing go now.

Mr_Shiftright

no, no, history is important and should be as accurate as possible.

Mr_Shiftright

When every other American car was shaped like a box
I came across like a sleek little fox
It's no surprise I was designed with a passion
As my creator got started in the world of fashion.

Who Am I? (make AND year)

stephen987

'53 Studebaker Starlight/Starliner?

Mr_Shiftright

There you go! Raymond Lowey got his start in fashion design, and was quite the dapper dresser in what was then a very conservative Detroit social scene. I think he designed all sorts of things.

The '53 Studebaker had that "long nose, short rear deck" kind of styling that typified "sports cars" of that time period. The conceptual idea was that the source of power, the "nose", was emphasized, and the rear end gracefully followed but did not compete.

Of course, underneath the '53 Studebaker was about as advanced as a 1935 Studebaker.

stephen987

He's being promoted posthumously as the "father of industrial design." Lots of pics at the Raymond Loewy official site.

ghulet

....of four-door convertibles, I saw an old episode of 'Superman' the other day, and it featured a Chrysler (Imperial?) dual-cowl phaeton ('55-ish, I'd say), with a king driving it backwards on a twisty mountain road. I tried to find info on this car in my book collection, w/out much luck.

Just found it: the car I saw on 'Superman' was the 'Los Angeles car' after its first repaint (it appeared silver-blue in the show). Looks like they made all of three, yikes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Imperial_Parade_Phaeton

lemko

It's nice to see that all three still exist. Looks like a 1969 Mercury behind the parade phaeton in the picture with the Apollo 11 astronauts.

bhill2

no, no, history is important and should be as accurate as possible.

Well, actually I feel a little sheepish about this one. You see, I debuted in 1949 too.

Mr_Shiftright

yes and I understand some people still celebrate that event once a year in certain parts of the world.

bhill2

I debuted as a model when my manufacturer stuffed my lithe body with the engine from my big (step)brother. The next 2 years of my existence I sported a smaller engine. Who am I and which year did I have the larger engine?

boomchek

Oh boy. :confuse: That could be any one of hundreds of models that were built that shared engines with their cousins, plus had smaller available engines too.

I'm thinking of Chevies, Mopars, Fords, Mercuries, GMs, etc....

bhill2

Well, keep in mind that the question as stated indicates that the model was only produced for 3 years; the first in which it had the larger engine, and the other 2 in which it had the smaller one. I will add that there were no engine options here, what they gave you is what you got.

stephen987

Mercury Cyclone GT? 1965 with the 427, 1966-67 with the 390?

boomchek

Ah didn't catch that it was a 3 model year run.

xwesx

That's not much of a drop! The 390 is still a huge engine. :surprise:

Mr_Shiftright

I set out to build an automotive empire and ended up managing a grocery store.

WHO AM I?