The fascinating history of American cars . . .one story at a time.
I was strolling along at an outdoor antiques market the other day when the Mercury Man caught my eye:
This particular cap is correct for a 1951 Mercury. It measures around eleven inches in diameter and marked the Mercury Man’s return from hubcap hiatus. I grabbed it quick because I just never find them at the flea markets where I live. You know where else you rarely find them? On ’51 Mercs.
Merry Christmas!
This ’59 Ford is being auctioned off by Rhynalds in Minden, Nebraska. Seventeen days to go! Click on the photo to see more pictures and/or place your bid:
The caption reads: “Capt. H. S. Kelsey of the 143rd field artillery, one of the pride outfits of the Pacific coast, is shown here jumping his mount, “El Capitan,” over the hoods of two Chevrolets parked nose to nose. Although the motor car has replaced the horse to a great extent in the army, the noble beast still plays an important part in military training and maneuvers.”
From the September 17, 1916, issue of The Butte Miner:
What is the difference between a coupe and coupelet, a touring car and a salon touring car? Here it is with other body types and distinctions officially determined lately by the nomenclature division of the Society of Automobile Engineers.
Roadster-An open car seating two or three. It may have additional seats on running boards or in rear deck.
Coupelet-Seats two or three. It has a folding top and full-height doors with disappearing panels of glass.
Coupe-An inside operated, inclosed car seating two or three. A fourth seat facing backward is sometimes added.
Convertible Coupe—A roadster provided with a detachable coupe top.
Clover Leaf-An open car seating three or four. The rear seat is close to the divided front seat and entrance is only through doors in front of the front seat.
Touring Car-An open car seating four or more with direct entrance to the tonneau.
Salon Touring Car-A touring car with passage between front seats, with or without separate entrance to front seat.
Convertible Touring Car-A touring car with folding top or removable glass sides.
Sedan-A closed car seating four or more all in one compartment.
Convertible Sedan—A salon touring car provided with a detachable top.
Open Sedan-A sedan so constructed that the sides can be removed or stowed so as to leave the space entirely clear from the glass front to the back.
Limousine—A closed car seating three to five inside, with driver’s seat outside, covered with a roof.
Open Limousine—A touring car with permanent standing top and disappearing or removable glass sides.
Berline—A limousine having the driver’s seat entirely inclosed.
Brougham-A limousine with no roof over the driver’s seat. more inside, and driver’s seat outside.
Landaulet-A closed car with folding top, seats for three or more inside and driver’s seat outside.
