Hello Friends and Family,
Link to this year's index by clicking here.
Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, Part 2 |
One of the aspects of such vehicles that I enjoy are the hood ornaments which originally were functional but evolved to be decorative (or even status symbols). Even Mercedes Benz, which kept their "peace symbol" hood ornament for many years has now surrendered to modern tastes and the drive for aerodynamic efficiency. |
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This vehicle is therefore unique — having been completed for the city of York, Pennsylvania by the Hoover Carriage Company. More than $60,000 was spend on restoration — probably much more than the vehicle cost originally. If you are interested in seeing additional bodies provided by this company, click here. |
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Here we have a 1926 Dodge Brothers Woody Wagon. Although the auction listing did not state, I suspect the body was built by another vendor — although whoever made it, did a fine job — it is beautiful. |
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The company fell on hard times as it went through a number of managers and subsequent owners until it was eventually sold to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. Thus this particular vehicle was one of the last actually manufactured by the Dodge Brothers Company. |
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"I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one — and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces." |
By 1914, the assembly process for the Model T had been so streamlined it took only 93 minutes to assemble a car. That year, Ford produced more cars than all other automakers combined. The Model T was a great commercial success, and by the time Henry made his 10 millionth car, 50 percent of all cars in the world were Fords. It was so successful that Ford did not purchase any advertising between 1917 and 1923. In total, more than 15 million Model Ts were manufactured, reaching a rate of 9,000 to 10,000 cars a day in 1925, or 2 million annually, more than any other model of its day, at a price of just $240 (equivalent to $2,696 today). Interesting trivia: Henry Ford used wood scraps from the production of Model T's to create charcoal. Originally named Ford Charcoal the name was changed to Kingsford Charcoal after Ford's relative, E. G. Kingsford, brokered the selection of the new charcoal plant site. To be continued... |
Life is good.
Aloha,
B. David
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com