We volunteers at SDAM were asked to list ten cars that should be in a general auto museum like ours in San Diego. I made up a list, mostly using the ones we already have.
Anyone care to make suggestions. (One studebaker only!)
I won't give you my list and suggest that you make up your list before reading what the others suggest.
I will turn them in to the museum on Tuesday, but "late" ones are OK.
Feel free to write to me directly if you want to.
Karl Haas
An Avanti.
With so many museums buying them for their 'core collection', mine will be worth even more!
snipped-for-privacy@earthl> We volunteers at SDAM were asked to list ten cars that should be in a
'53 Starliner
Coupe Express any year
38 President "Fast Back" 1947 Commander Starlight Coupe - Milestone Car 1950 Commander Ragtop 1953 Champ or Commander HD - Milestone Car 1955 Speedster 1956 Golden Hawk - First of the Hawk Line 1956 Sky Hawk - Purists say its the best looking of all the hawks 1958 Golden Hawk Last of the Finned Hawks (HD) 1964 GT with what ever R package you can find 1962 Lark Daytona Convertible Late model Excaliber AvantiBill
I agree with your list, Bill. The only one I'd change is the '50 to a '51 Commander since they're almost the same style; but its the first of the V-8's. I would add a 2R series truck as it was also designed by Bob Bourke, and the cab served Studebaker right up to the end of US production, and a '66 Cruiser for its 'last-of-the-line' status.
Craig.
Bill, he said one Studebaker only, you listed 14. Jerry
Okay Karl here you go:
More Studebakers would be better -- A 1947 (any model) [first new car after the WWII];1949 Pickup [no running boards, metal bed, etc.]; Avanti; '53 Coupe or Hardtop;
1956 Golden Hawk; 1959 Lark [A compact before the Big Three made them.]; A Wagonaire.Joe ( I can dream with the best of them!) Roberts
snipped-for-privacy@earthl> We volunteers at SDAM were asked to list ten cars that should be in a
an Diego.
one care to make suggestions. (One studebaker only!)
Bob40
Here's one we won't have: In England, in the thirties, Adrian Squire decided that he would like to build the best sports car in the world. This would be a two-seater fun car, not a racing car. After he got the first few built, he decided that a successful car would bring his firm good publicity.
Skip ahead more than half a century: At Silverstone, a rather bland race track in the Midlands used for many major races only as it's owned by a organization of race drivers, I was at a historic car race and noticed a Squire listed in the programme. Not knowing about the racing Squires, I expected to see their run-of-the-line, MGTF-looking car. No such thing - it was a rather crude but businesslike racer.
I went to the car when it pulled into the paddock, felt the heat being radiated from it, heard it cooling, and smelled the hot oil and rubber rising up from it. I was in my glory, even if it wasn't the dreamboat I had expected. The owner / driver then started to explain the purpose of the racing car and it's heritage. He also mentioned that he followed up on every lead on a Squire and had managed to round up half of the racers production run. He then, teasingly, added that his brother owned the other one!
What of the main production run? Adrian managed to make seven, total, before closing shop. As you might imagine the "production" Squire is a very sought-after marque. And I still have never seen one.
Karl
'61 Hawk 4-speed
nate
Bill Glass wrote:
It was a toss-up between '34 and '35.
Bob40
I've read this thread, and I can't believe nobody mentioned a '37 Cord. Both convertible and sedan are awesome cars, and milestones in so many ways.
And maybe a prewar Tatra with its air-cooled V8? And why not a late Corvair Monza? They are both a pretty car to look at, and have unusual engineering features for their era.
Nash Metropolitan, because it's cute, and it also represents a precursor to the "captive imports" of the Big 3.
'39 Studebaker Champion coupe. Another very pretty car, and first of a long line of cars that made the backbone of Studebaker's business until the end of the line.
Austin Mini; first mass-marketed car to succesfully package a transverse-mounted engine and front-drive transaxle in a tiny space. Invented the template used by the lion's share of modern econoboxes.
'33 or '34 Ford V8, whichever is the first year? Certainly a milestone of sorts; V8 power in a low-price car.
'65 Ford Mustang; the first pony car. Had a huge influence on the shape of the market.
Datsun 240Z. Made everyone sit up and take notice that Japan wasn't just econoboxes anymore.
Running out of ready ideas. I've tried to suggest cars that were both historically significant, and also attractively styled. I don't think anyone would call a Mini "beautiful", but it's a tour de force in packaging, and not really unattractive.
Gord Richmond
Here's my list, taking the easy route I made before posting the first message. It looks like we have a good start already:
Suggested list of ten cars for museum (using only those already on floor):
Model T Ford
Model A Ford (roadster)
Corvette (hopefully a more interesting that the dull one we now have)
MG TC. Start of postwar flood of sports / import cars
1940 Pontiac. Prime example of a late pre-war standard automobile. Everyone my age had an uncle whom, in our memory, had a car just like it, even if it was a Nash.1913 Caddy: The first car with an electric starter. Most important car ever made because of this.
1937 Red Cord: coffin-nose convertible. Former museum director had one like this. For his 75 birthday, without his knowledge, his son tracked it down, restored it and presented it to Art at the Museum. Moral: Give your kids a good education!1932 V-12 Caddy roadster
Morgan (one early 3 wheeler, other standard - either will do)
Hunt: Very early high-wheel car. Made in San Diego as a one-off for a rich man who wanted it for long trips to Mexico. The car was completed and passed its long trail run, but the customer died.
Sax> I've read this thread, and I can't believe nobody mentioned a '37 Cord. Both convertible
transverse-mounted engine
lion's share
sorts; V8 power
convertible
Monza? They
the "captive
line of cars
transverse-mounted engine
lion's share
sorts; V8 power
How about a Case, International Harvester, REO, Maytag (designed by Duesenberg), Otto, Fairbanks-Morse, Deere or any number of other little known or odd makes.
The above, partial, list is from a book I have titled "Cars, Trucks, And Busses Made By Tractor Companies" by Bill Vossler (C) 1999, Published by Krause Publications, ISBN: 0-87341-672-4
An interesting book for someone interested in cars, trucks, tractors and other antiques.
There is a truck museum elsewhere in SD county. We have a large collection of some fifty cars on display. Semi-permanently, along with close to that many motorcycles, engines (Jim Feuling-modoified, Franklyn, sectioned stove-bolt-six and many more. In addition, we have a Tucker and a 1947 Caddy that went non-stop from SD to NYC and back without stopping. Louie (Mattar) figured that he change tires underway about seven hundred times without stopping, almost all for display. Does yo car have a combination clothes-washer toilet? In addition, there are special displays. Centenary of Chevrolet coming up in a couple weeks.
Peters> How about a Case, International Harvester, REO, Maytag (designed by
snipped-for-privacy@earthl> We volunteers at SDAM were asked to list ten cars that should be in a
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