This unusual looking truck is a 1939
Federal Pick-Up, Model 8, ¾ Ton. It’s a
good example of the streamline style that was very popular in the late
1930s. It's really a nice deep blue color but it didn't come out in this photo...
Although Federal was a relatively small
producer, the company “was an all line manufacturer” offering a full range of trucks
ranging from ½ - 7 ½ tons. Their
products included light duty pick-up trucks for general use, a range of
delivery trucks, heavy haulers, plus school buses.
As per the ‘Federal Trucks Photo Archive Paperback’ by Robert Gabrick, “Since
1910…Federal Trucks Have Been Known in Every Country—Sold on Every Continent.”
One of the great ‘independents’ from Detroit, Federal produced a ‘high quality
truck at a good price.’ From 1910 to
1959, Federal assembled over 160,000 trucks for all types of uses including
delivery vans, buses, garbage trucks, and over the road heavy haulers. In World War II Federal produced 11,338
military vehicles, earning the coveted Army-Navy ‘E Pennant’ four times for
production excellence. After the war
Federal experienced the same difficulties experienced by other independents. Production
of Federal trucks ended in 1959.”
This rare Canadian grain truck is a ¾ Ton
1927 Star. This was one of the last Star
trucks built.
The chassis was built at the Durant
Motors Company plant in Leaside, Ontario while the body was supplied by the
Canada Carriage and Body Company of Brantford, Ontario. Durant marketed its trucks under the Star
emblem in North America and Rugby brand overseas. This truck was soon consigned to light duty
because it was not very powerful.
For more about William Durant and the
Durant Motors Corporation you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durant_Motors.
William Durant was the former CEO of
GM.
Lots of automotive related ephemera are
evident in every nook and cranny of Gasoline Alley. This is an early advertising Michelin Tire
Man sitting astride an early tire pressure machine.
FYI, the Michelin Tire Man is one of the
world’s oldest trademarks. It was first
introduced in 1894! His really name is
Bibendum… The slogan ‘Nunc est bibendum’, (Now is the time to drink), is taken
from Horace's Odes (book I, ode xxxvii, line 1). He is also referred to as Bib
or Bibelobis. For more on this topic, go
to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibendum.
This handsome and powerful looking
vehicle is a 1935 Diamond T Tow Truck, Model 211-AD Deluxe.
During an era of utilitarian truck
design, the President of Diamond T said that “A truck doesn’t need to be
homely.” Stylish design combined with
sound engineering helped Diamond T secure a respectable market share during the
lean years of the Dirty Thirties. Exceptional
quality was assured as Diamond Ts were assembled from components made by
specialty manufacturers to the company’s exacting specifications. With forty
years of faithful service, this Model 211-AD is a testament to the vehicle’s
quality and owner pride.
This is a 1910 Fuel Tank Wagon. It may seem a little strange to us in this
day and age, but during the late 19th and early 20th century horse-drawn tank
wagons were commonly used by oil companies to distribute their products to
customers. With the aid of compartmentalized tanks they could haul and dispense
both gasoline and kerosene. The rear box was used to carry axle grease and
other products. Although limited to a 15
mile distance, two-horse high-wheeled outfits like this could deliver fuels
right to the customer over rough rural roads.
I looked around the Internet and I
discovered one of these wagons for sale.
Check it out at http://www.ebay.com/itm/HORSE-DRAWN-FUEL-WAGON-RESTORED-POLARINE-TANK-WAGON-/350887415529?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b2850ee9.
You could pick it up for only $12,500!
It’s a steal when you consider that Jackson-Barrett
Auctions sold one of these wagons in 2012 for ‘only’ $36,300! You can see this fuel tank wagon at http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=360&aid=465.
This is a 1941 Chevrolet Tow Truck, Model
TKH. This 1 ½ ton tow truck is a good example
of Chevrolet’s Art Deco line. Introduced
in 1941, their distinctive front end styling – two tiered grille, beaklike hood
and streamlined headlights mounted on huge fenders – made them a hit with truck
buyers.
This early truck is a 1912 Benz Gagganau,
Model GL-12, 5 Ton Fuel Tanker.
Founded in 1894 as Bergmanns
Industriewerke, Germany’s Benz – Gaggenau factory is the oldest operating automotive
plant in the world. In 1906 that factory
produced the world’s first fire truck powered by an internal combustion engine.
By 1911 Benz’s three factories were
producing passenger cars, commercial vehicles and engines for aircraft,
industry and marine applications. Built
before heavy duty pneumatic tires were available, this chain driven 5 ton truck
features cast iron wheels with solid rubber tires. I imagine that the ride had to be a bit
rough!
For a photo of the Gaggenau plant in its
scenic setting, take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/daimlerag/6759490871/.
This beauty is a 1933 Model 210-FF Diamond
T Brewery Truck. Diamond Ts were called
the “Cadillac of Trucks”. As mentioned
previously, Diamond Ts were noted for their quality construction, performance
and overall good looks. Showcased at the
1933 Chicago World’s Fair, their prestige was further enhanced by classy
advertising and sales catalogues. Diamond
T trucks were frequently purchased as fleet vehicles for image conscious
companies such as furniture manufacturers, movers and breweries.
This classic ‘beater’ is a 1930 Nash 450
Single Six Sedan.
At the beginning of the Great Depression
this car rolled off the assembly line with shiny blue paint and bright nickel
plating. Its dents, repairs and rusty
patina bear witness to the perseverance and ingenuity of a Saskatchewan family
who weathered the Dirty Thirties. Rediscovered some fifty years later, “Scruffy”
was mechanically restored. It was later
driven 2,000 miles down Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, recreating the
journey of many Dustbowl refugees.
To learn more about Nash Motor and to see
lots of auto photos, you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Motors.
The company operated from 1917-1954. In 1954, Nash bought the Hudson Motor Company
and created the American Motors Corporation.
By 1957, under the leadership of George Romney, (a future governor of
Michigan, future Presidential candidate and father of Mitt Romney), the Hudson
and Nash name plates were phased out.
This is a 1922 Gray-Dort Touring Car,
Model 19-B. Produced by Gray-Dort Motors
Ltd. of Chatham, Ontario, this car was one of 26,000 automobiles produced
during the company’s ten year of operation. Initially the factory finished American Dort
cars for the Canadian market. With a
gradual shift to 65% Canadian made parts, the Gray Dort is recognized as
Canada’s first domestically built car. By
1922, the dependable Gray Dort was the most popular vehicle on the prairies
with over 5,000 registered. Few examples
have survived.
This early automobile is a 1909 McIntyre,
Model M. A true “Horseless Carriage,”
this McIntyre Model M high wheel runabout is believed to be the only restored
example of its type in existence. The
fine tradition of carriage building is evident in its handcrafted body, diamond
tufted leather seats and rubber tired buggy wheels. With 36” wheels and an air cooled four
cylinder engine, McIntyre advertisements claimed, “High Wheel Motor Vehicles
will go anywhere…no tire troubles, punctures and blowouts impossible with a
McINTYRE.”
McIntyre Automobiles were built in Auburn
Indiana from 1906 until only 1915 when the company went into bankruptcy. For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntyre_Automobile.
This is a photo of the main floor of
Gasoline Alley. As you can see, this is
much more than a bunch of cars sitting around in a sterile environment.
The primary benefactor of Gasoline Alley
is a local businessman named Ron Carey.
He’s the President of J and L Supply, an oilfield supplier. Mr. Carey is well-known for his commitment to
preserving oil and gas memorabilia as well as antique vehicles. If you visit Gasoline Alley, check out Ron
Carey’s biography. It is located in a
wall mounted display halfway up the steps to the upper level at the north end
of the building.
That’s it for our visit to Gasoline Alley
at Calgary’s Heritage Park. To view most
of the vehicles on display in Gasoline Alley, you can go to http://www.heritagepark.ca/plan-your-visit/attractions-and-exhibits.html.
Then filter by using the Type drop down menu…and then click on Gasoline Alley
Museum. In addition, for a video tour, just
click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL2Z3Y_kUMk.
Click on any of the photos to
enlarge them…
Thanks for stopping by and checking out
this great exhibit at Calgary’s Heritage Park.
Only one more topic to write about from the park – Railroad History!
Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Dave, I love the range of your interests. You are a true Renaissance man :-). Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteI love all these cars look lovely and look like the matchboxes my son loed collect and still have lol
ReplyDeleteLooks like Diamond T made a fine truck.
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