The 1936 Chevrolet

The photo above is of a Chevrolet sedan, circa 1936. Note the vertical grill, so common in that era yet roundly lampooned in the 1950s when the Edsel appeared. Vertical grills lent themselves well to the styling restrictions of the day, namely narrow in-line six or eight cylinders mostly and pontoon fenders. 

When V-8 engines appeared, wider engine wells were needed to accommodate such. Fenders were blended into the hood assembly and those swollen pontoons shrank accordingly. 

Note, in this example, the Chevrolet 'bow-tie" is making its appearance quietly in the emblem between the headlights. Not the first time, though, for this familiar symbol. It made its debut in 1913 according to GM historians.

Dodge Ram's "Daddy"

Here's what's needed for winter's feeding. Put it in "Grandma" gear, hop out, and spread your hay while you and the truck walk leisurely though the pasture.

And should one run it into a ditch bank or high-center on a dike, there's a winch to pull you out. Providing you can find something to hitch to. Perhaps a congenial cow.

The Power Wagon of the Chrysler Corporation made its appearance in late WWII and was produced until 1981. A power-takeoff unit was available for operating auxiliary equipment. A no-nonsense rig that fit its times until something more exciting and comfortable came along.

Hudson . . . Still Revered

Post-war Hudsons seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days. This August we spied one at a McDonald's in Erie, P. A.  Then, last month, one showed up at the Frontier Cafe, Stevensville, Montana. Pictured is one that surprised us while photographing a herd of Red Angus, near the Mission Range, western Montana.

This convertible appears to bear––at first glance––its original factory paint as did the others we ran across. Forest Green in P. A. and in Montana, black with a white top. Convertibles are quite rare. This 1948-49 example wears the distinctive headband that became a clue to quick identity when meeting oncoming traffic. 

Hudsons were attractively styled, especially pre-and post- WWII versions, and later, the marque led the way with its innovative Step-down body and chassis design, giving the car a sleek, long, and lower profile that appeared to hug the highway. This "torpedo" styling incorporated "Monobilt" unitized construction with perimeter frame rails and a lower center of gravity than its competition.

Hug the road it did. Coupled with power plants that delivered good top end on the track, 1950 Hudsons dominated stock car races around the nation. They were recognized for their track-savvy manners and handling, beating most entries of the Big Three. Not until the Rocket 88s fielded by Oldsmobile, did the Hudson face a real challenge during those few years, the heyday of its glory. 

A dignified 1940-41 coupe that seated three. A modest rear seat could be installed as an option. Below are several 1946-47 models: to my mind some of the most attractively styled of all makes and models available after WWII. Note the hidden running boards.

Even a three-quarter ton pickup was marketed. 

The company merged with Nash-Kelvinator in the mid-50s to survive against the Big Three. Despite its innovations in cabin comfort and size, industry-leading transmission options, and advanced suspension and steering engineering, Hudson's fortunes continued downhill even under the banner of American Motors Corporation, headed by George Romney. The badge disappeared altogether in 1957 but is still honored by such auto clubs as the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane owners who enthusiastically keep the memories alive and interest growing.

Here is a Hudson Terraplane, a lower-priced Hudson marketed as an entry-level vehicle, competitively priced in the mid-to late-1930s. I found this one at a Hermitage, Pennsylvania car show.

In the 1950s, Ford . . .

responded to farmers expanding to larger acreages and asking for bigger tractors. The company designed the Golden Jubilee as an answer, a model producing test horsepower of 26.8 and costing $1560 in 1954. It was designated to replace the 8N, a model that had been around basically since pre-WWII days. 

With the Jubilee as a pattern, Ford began a numerical series starting with a 600, 650, 800, 850, 950, then added a "1" as the different models made their appearances, some with Diesel engines and live PTOs. Most were classified as 2-3 plow in capacity.

Below is an 850 and retaining the utility style platform. Tricycle front ends were added to the line as it progressed through the decade.

Here's the Ford 2N, similar to the 8N and 9N, favorites of restorers.

And Your Humble Blogger with his Uncle Al's Ford 800 tractor, which Ford called the NAA series, and a successor to the 1953 Golden Jubilee. Put a lot of hours on this great old-timer, and it remains one reason I favor utility-type tractors to this day. Yes, it runs. Pleased to report this family favorite has been moved and will be likely restored by the next generation.  

Poorly Conceived and Short-lived

Fewer than 10,000 Edsels are believed to exist today but have enjoyed far more collector interest than when introduced to the general public back in 1958. Some command prices into the six figures if a trailer queen and a convertible.

The marque was supposed to bracket Ford Motor Company's Mercury with two models priced above the typically-priced Mercury and two below but slightly above Ford's offerings.

Not a bad looking car in the main but buyers did not accept the vertical grill, the butt of scorn and jokes. Sad, rather, as the car became a despised orphan. Robert McNamara directed the company to drop the line in 1960. 

Or, Well-designed and Enduring

This Porsche 944 is a 1985.5 model. Thirty years old and it still looks timeless. These cars were much admired and copied by competing manufacturers through the years. It confirms sound basic artistry in sheet metal still holds up.

1936 Cadillac Coupe

No secret this blogger favors the automobiles of the late 1930s and those of the Forties bookending WWII. Here's one of the most elegant coupes we've seen lately and nicely done. Pretty good-sized engine for the time, a V-8 of 346 cubic inches and producing 135 horsepower. 

This year saw the introduction of "knee-action" suspension and Bendix Dual Action brakes. This particular restoration was whisper quiet, we noted, as it left the fairgrounds.

The rear view shows the smallish trunk, and above the tail light, the little step one uses to access the rumble seat which takes up most of the trunk space.