September 2017 The Brass Lamp

More than 80 years ago, America’s first drive -in movie theater opened in Camden, New Remembering Jersey, ushering in an era of pure Americana as millions gathered in their to watch the latest blockbusters, horror and sci-fi B-

Two Great Things That Go Great Together

Having essentially come of age together as the 19th century gave way to the 20th, movies and the automobile seemed pre- destined to go together. But it wasn’t until the early 1930s that the idea for the first drive-in movie theater began to take root in the den-based auto parts Depression then gripping mind of New Jersey’s company (Whiz Auto the nation. Richard Milton Hollings- Products), Hollingshead head, Jr. was quite familiar with the Movies provided an es- automobile and all the cape from reality and Working as a sales man- “freedom of possibilities” proved to be one of the ager for his father’s Cam- it afforded Americans. few luxuries Americans Pairing this love of the au- tomobile with the glitz and glamor of Hollywood filmmaking seemed a per- fectly natural fit and a wel- come distraction from the oppression of the Great

The President’s Joseph F Yochim (314) 602-9498 President Column… Mark Goldfeder (314) 878-2786 1st Vice President/Programs

Al Mercer (636) 928-8672 Greetings everyone! Time the machine that changed 2nd Vice President/Membership is flying by and here we the world.

Jackie Allen are enjoying the Labor (314) 741-4158 Acting Treasurer Day holiday. The state of “Human inventiveness has Oregon was the first state still not found a mechani- Martin L. Hassel (314-232-5934) to recognize the Labor cal process to replace Recording Secretary Day holiday in 1887, but it horses as the propulsion Dr. Gerald Perschbacher was not until 1894 that it for vehicles” lamented Le (314) 849-5249 became a national holi- Corresponding Secretary day. was the Petit Journal, a French Directors very first employer to offer newspaper, in December John Clark (2017) Ron Nelson (2017) the working man a five- 1893. Its answer was to Vacant (2018) David Stephens (2018) dollar work day holiday. organize the Paris-Rouen Kevin Williams (2019) Unheard of for that time. Sharon Mercer (2019) race for the horseless - Interestingly were talking Ron Nelson riages held the following 9826 Affton View Ct. about the model T Ford— St. Louis, MO 63123 the first mass produced July. The 102 entrants in- (314) 638-7131 Brass Lamp Editor vehicle with the internal cluded vehicles powered combustion . Kevin Williams (314) 481-9111 Webmaster Newsflash: the following Neal McIntyre information was taken (314) 494-0346 Special Events Coordinator from The Economist mag- azine August 12-18, 2017 issue.

The internal combustion engine! Road kill? May it www.hccmo.com rest in peace? (314) 991-HONK The internal combustion Celebrating 73 Years engine had a good run. In But the end is in sight for St. Louis!

2 But its days are numbered. spite many countries with 2017. This is a non- Rapid gains in battery broken systems of regula- judged event. All mem- technology favor electric tion. bers are encouraged to motors instead. In Paris in participate. All proceeds 1894 not a single electric Driverless electric cars in go directly towards the car made it to the starting the 21st Century are likely National Children’s Cancer line, partly because they to improve the world in a Society. needed battery replace- profound and unexpected ment stations every 30km ways, just as vehicles pow- HCCM swap meet: this or so. Today’s electric ered by the internal com- annual event will take cars, powered by lithium bustion did in the place on Sunday, Septem- ion batteries, can do much 20th. But it will be a ber 17 at the Hollywood better. The Chevy volt has bumpy road. Better buck- casino parking lot in Mar- a range of 383 km; Tesla le up. yland Heights, Missouri. fans recently drove a Volunteers are needed for model S more than 1000 Will Tesla be the Henry this event. Those wishing km on a single charge. Ford of the 21st century? to help, please arrive be- That’s 621 miles on a sin- Only time will tell. fore 5 AM. Volunteers are gle charge battery car. also needed later in the Amazing. HCCM picnic: ladies and day for judging the car gentlemen August 20 pre- show that takes place in The article went on to talk sented us with a beautiful conjunction with this about various other day. Despite apprehen- event. Remember by things: The internal com- sion and anxiety with the working at the swap meet bustion engine has had a location being in St. you receive a credit to- good run and could still Charles, Missouri. We had wards admission for the dominate shipping and over 50 members in at- HCCM annual Christmas aviation for decades to tendance. Everyone loved party. come. But on land electric smoked brisket, pulled motors will soon offer pork and turkey breast. Oktoberfest on main freedom and convenience Unfortunately, I did go Street: this event will be more cheaply and cleanly. slightly over budget for held on Sunday, Septem- As the switch to electric this event. I will look for- ber 24, 2017, on historic cars reverses the trend in ward to my usual chastis- Main St., Saint Charles, the world towards falling ing from the Board of Di- Missouri. Although this is electricity consumption, rectors. not a club sponsored policymakers will need to event, many members of help by ensuring that Wheels in motion: This the club belong to the there is enough world annual event will be held First Capital Classics. With generating capacity de- on Sunday, September 10, that said, all proceeds go

3 <<< from front page directly towards a very place on Friday, October 20 worthy cause, The Nation- at Logan college. Remem- on the hood of his car); al Children’s Cancer Socie- ber we will meet on the op- two sheets nailed between ty. Members are strongly posite side of the campus in trees; and his own auto- encouraged to participate room 105G starting at 6:30 mobile. in this event. PM. My personal goal this year is to surpass $750 in Car cruise to the blue sales. In order to achieve Watching from the com- owl restaurant: Several that goal I need some great fort of his vehicle was members including myself items. Let’s bring in some- such a unique experience, participated in this event thing that someone else Hollingshead was sure earlier this year. After nu- would want to buy, not other people would enjoy merous requests I have set something you need to get the new date. Mark your rid of. I am looking forward it. On August 6, 1932, he calendar Sunday, October to seeing quite the cornuco- started the patent process 15, 2017. Our rendezvous pia of items to be auctioned for his drive-in movie the- location will be the Chick- off. ater idea. The following fil-A restaurant at South May, Hollingshead was County Mall at 12 o’clock awarded U.S. Patent No. noon. From there we will 1,909,537 and set about take a leisure car cruise down through the back construction of the first roads, eventually arriving theater along with three at historic Kimmswick, other investors. Missouri. If you have nev- er had the opportunity to visit the Blue Owl Restau- rant, it is renowned fa- mous for its desserts. The >>> last time we were there I chose the “death by choc- olate” cake. Since it did not kill me, I’ll have to or- der it again.

White elephant auction: This annual event will take

4 Hollingshead’s theater was unlike anything else at the time.

Over the next decade, more and more drive-ins began springing up all across the East Coast, the South, into the Midwest and Texas. Within 20 years, drive-ins would hit their peak popularity with more than 4,000 in opera- fakes amnesia in order to tion around the country Construction of that first pursue extramarital affairs. by 1958. theater cost roughly Featuring a 40’x50’ screen

$30,000 (approximately and three 6’x6’ speakers Hollingshead’s patent was $564,000 in today’s dol- courtesy of RCA Victor, lars) and took a mere three weeks to complete. On June 6, 1933, the new site, called simply the “Drive-In Theater” on its marquee, opened to the public. With a maximum cost of $1 per person (and a minimum of $0.25), pa- trons were treated to Wives Beware, a 1932 comedy starring Adolphe Menjou as a man in an The Skyview still operates on a weekend schedule across the river in Illinois. unsatisfying marriage who

5 event. Our Bobby Darin car returned to The Mu- seum of Transportation August 25th.

Every August, 200 of the most prized collec- tor cars in the world roll onto the famous 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has grown into the top-ranking John Hartmann poses with the DiDia 150 Bobby Darin Dream Car at the collector car competi- Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show , held every August tion in the world.

Pebble Beach invited The Concours is a con- The Museum of Trans- test of elegance, not portation to send our speed. To give you an Di Dia automobile to idea of the importance be a featured car in its of the Pebble Beach in- exclusive 2017 Con- vitation to the Concours cours d’Elegance — Mr. Darin chose to do- d’Elegance, the venue American Dream Cars nate the masterpiece to has been labeled, “The of the 1960’s. The Museum of Trans- number one event of its portation in St. Louis. type in the world,” by The Bobby Darin The Di Dia 150 was “Dream Car” is a one-of the most expensive -a-kind custom car de- custom car in the signed by Detroit cloth- world at the time. ing designer Andy Di Dia in 1953 and com- The Dream Car was pleted in 1960. Bobby away from the mu- Darin fulfilled his prom- seum from August ise to purchase the car 11th through Au- if he ever became fa- gust 24th, 2017, to par- the Financial Times. mous, which, of course ticipate in this Pebble he did. Subsequently, Beach world-class The Winner

6 International Collector Car Shipping Woes

If you didn’t hear of this horrendous event in early bestos-based components earlier, you can get it 2017, according to his when built,” Dave reported now. Editor David Tulow- source. “The Australian that “the cars were ‘cut up’ itzky of Trail Bird Border Force began ran- to find the source of the News (Trail Birds of South- domly testing all imported asbestos” and the owner west Florida, 14191 Tudball collector cars for asbestos, received a nearly $15,000 Ave., Port Charlotte, without any industry con- “bill for the privi- FL 33953) recently nailed a lege.” OUCH! touchy subject: challenges This wasn’t a haphazard with shipping cars over- operation. Inspectors were seas. To be exact, his arti- chosen from a list of ex- cle centered on Australia. perts but “none of whom Being an English- had collector car experi- speaking nation with a Eu- ence since this was an all- ropean history usually set- new process.” An agency tles well with Americans officer plus a rep of the who like places where they customs brokers had to at- can be understood in sev- sultation, procedures, of tend the “inspection” and eral ways, those two espe- practices in place.” “the owner/importer was cially. Editor Dave was The Mustangs and the required to provide two aroused over an internet owner who shipped them mechanics, tools, a floor item about a person who to Australia for restoration jack, jack stands, safety shipped a 1966 Shelby were caught in the crunch clothing and masks. All five Mustang (GT350) and a between collectability and charged by the hour, with stock 1966 Mustang donor- enforcement, it being too the work being done at the car. Trouble was, the pres- late to stop the ship- customs wharf.” ence of asbestos was dis- ping. Since “most all cars After a full 8-hour day covered. built before 1999 had as- on the car, components Asbestos, a silicate min- from brake pads to exhaust eral, has had a long and (for many years) respected place in the construction of automobiles. In the case of Australia since 2003, “The Australian government is- sued a zero-tolerance ban on any and all asbestos products,” Dave report- ed. That set the stage for a

7 Graham Brothers Ingenuity Courtesy of the Historic Vehicle Association

Everybody knows that success is often the result of being in the right place at the right time with the right idea. The Graham brothers of Ev- ansville, Indiana, are a perfect example. Read on to learn more about how their ingenuity at the dawn of the automotive revolution led to the creation of an icon and the latest vehicle to be documented and added to Sometimes, timing is every- the National Historic Vehicle Register. thing. For the Graham broth- ers—Joseph, Robert and transmissions, Graham trucks As the Roaring Twenties bar- Ray—their turn-of-the- were sold only through Dodge reled forward with a carefree century shift from bottle mak- dealers—a pairing that helped air of perpetual prosperity, the ers to truck builders came at a elevate the status and public newly-christened Graham- time when it seemed nearly awareness the Graham broth- Paige Motors Corporation con- every city in the country had ers. By 1926, the brothers had tinued the winning streak at least one auto manufactur- three factories (in Detroit, they’d established with Dodge, er to call their own. Stockton, California, and Toron- selling a total of 73,195 cars in to) and were producing some 1928 and 80,000 in 1929. The Starting out simply in 1916 in 37,000 trucks annually. Cashing company proved so successful Evansville, Indiana, the broth- in on their collective success, that they were forced to open ers built truck bodies and the Graham brothers sold out several other factories in order component sets that could be to Dodge, leaving the truck to keep up with the public de- used to convert existing cars market behind and venturing mand for their Graham-Paige. into light trucks. Three years into the passenger car market. later, they moved from simply But first they had to establish a As anyone with even the slight- providing the shell for trucks corporation of their own to est knowledge of American to manufacturing complete pursue their newfound interest history knows, financial storm trucks. With most auto com- in the burgeoning automotive clouds were gathering on the panies focusing on passenger field. horizon in 1929. It marked the cars, the truck market was re- best year for Graham-Paige ally anyone’s game. Another “Paige” In History until just as suddenly the Great In 1927—90 years ago last Depression hit in October. Four years later, in 1920, the month—the Graham Brothers Dodge Brothers Corporation Corporation purchased the With the American public’s pri- took note of the Graham Paige-Detroit Motor Car Co. orities shifting from opulent brothers successful line of Once again, it proved to be a frivolity to extreme frugality, trucks and approached them savvy move. The Paige-Detroit auto manufacturers were one to see about adding trucks as Motor Car Co. had been in ex- of the first to be hit hard by the a product option to the com- istence for nearly 20 years and economic downturn. It was pany’s existing line of passen- had already found modest suc- during this time that Graham— ger cars. It was a partnership cess with their Paige Daytona (a their name having been short- that proved quite fortuitous. 6-cylinder, three-seat ened in 1931—began explor- billed as “the most beautiful car ing a broader range of price Using Dodge engines and in America”). points for their cars and pro-

8 ducing their least expensive body designs. His first major as other manufacturers franti- model: the Prosperity Six. impact on the automotive cally scrambled to come up Their luck with timing having world came in 1928 with the with a design of their own largely run out, the Graham Hupmobile Century Eight. (though most were simply brothers scrambled to remain That same year, Northup was copies of the Graham Blue relevant and afloat during the appointed Art Director and Streak). nation’s worst economic dis- Chief Designer for Willys- aster. Overland. It was here that, as Indeed, following its introduc- the leading automotive stylist tion in December 1931 for the Enter Amos Northup and the of that time, Northup firmly 1932 model line, a large ma- Graham Blue Streak put his mark on automotive jority of the look and feel of Looking to freshen up the history with his designs for the automobile could be style of the Graham to com- the 1929 Whippet and Willys- traced to the Blue Streak until pete in the deflated market, Knight lines. the post-war years. With its more enclosed fenders and backwards sloping , it quickly became the de facto look of the automobile. This was so true that Amos’s last design before his unfortunate accidental death, the Sharknose Graham with a for- ward sloping grille and fend- ers was virtually detest- ed. Coupled with this was the conscious effort to create Graham hired the top de- an automobile that appeared signer they could. Before it Three years later working for as a unified shape rather than was common practice to Graham, with many counting merely an assembly of parts. have a chief stylist Graham on him, he unveiled the most did just that in order to revolutionary, forward- Streak of Genius – Not just hopefully edge out the com- thinking design of his career: Skin Deep It wasn’t just the inspiring de- petition. the Blue Streak. sign of the car’s body panels Born in 1889 in Bellevue, Despite its rather inauspicious that make this 30s icon so beginnings in the worst year Ohio, Amos Northup started memorable. Complimenting of the Great Depression, the out as a cabinet maker be- the styling and most notably, 1932 Graham Blue Streak fore shifting gears and enter- the Graham featured a “Banjo helped set a new standard for ing the booming automotive frame” and outboard leaf what a car could and should industry. With a keen eye for springs that allowed the car to be, as well as how it should design, Northup quickly sit lower than most of its con- look. With its low profile, sleek worked his way up, signing on styling lines and immediately temporaries and certainly with Murray Corporation of identifiable stance, the Gra- handle better. Combined with America in 1924, taking the ham Blue Streak quickly be- a potent eight cylinder engine lead on regular production came the envy of the industry with an aluminum head, the 9 Words of Appreciation

To the members of the HCCM

On behalf of the entire Taylor family I would like to give thanks for all the support you have shown to my father, Thomas Taylor, on the loss of a great woman, Ellender “Butch” Taylor.

The fond memories our family has gained by being members of the club has enriched our lives.

Automotive Pioneers Hall of Fame Trivia

Answers from last month

Pioneer #37 Thomas B. Jeffery Built and sold Rambler bicycles. In 1900 sold the bicycle business to began building his “G &J” cars. Later changed the name to “Rambler.” Died while still working at Nash motors.

Pioneer #38 Edward “Ned” Jordan Left the Tomas B Jeffery Co. In 1916 to build his own cars. Purposely kept production low (below 5000 per year) of his now famous “Playboys.” First to advertise the beauty of the automobile.

*************

Pioneer #39 1857 – 1927 In 1900 he retired from Bell Telephone, a wealthy man. In 1903 he did a motor tour of Europe. The next year an auto tour around the world. He later organized tours around the U.S. Later in life he devoted his life to the new aviation industry. Who was this great man? Answer next month

Pioneer #40 1880 – 1970 Built his first experimental car in 1897. In 1898 with J. S. Tilney formed Auto-Tri Mfg. They built three-wheel cars. Became sales manager for Maxwell and sent the first 10 The Brass Lamp

The Publication of the Club of Missouri, Inc. september 2017

Activities Calendar

Information in this calendar is summarized. See flyers for events —go to www.midwestswapmeets.com 2017 Club Events Calendar 2017 SWAP MEETS CAR SHOWS, ETC. September 15 7:30 General Meeting, Logan September 3 SLICK 20th show Lions Park Arnold MO September 17 HCCM Show & Swap Meet, September 10 Wheels in Motion Westport Plaza October 1 Brass and Nickel show, MOT September 17 HCCM Show & Swap Meet, Hlywd Casino October 8 Kimmswick car cruise October 1 Brass & Nickel Show, Mus. Of Transport October 20 6:30 White Elephants, Logan 105G November 17 6:30 Chili Cook-off, Logan Car Cruises and other events can be accessed at December 3 12-3 Holiday Party, Glen Echo http://clubs.hemmings.com/lakerscarclub

Alert! Please check the club web site monthly at HCCMO.com for notices of club event cancellations Reminder for Volunteers or changes in time or location due to weather or other Volunteering to work at the Easter show and/or the circumstances. September Swap Meet events held by the club earns credit toward free admission to the annual Christmas

Swap Meet Reminder—Member swap table

Remember that there will be a member swap table where members may display their items for sale without charge. Bring your swap items with you to sell and take advantage of this opportunity.

The Brass Lamp is a monthly publication of The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri ©2017 All Rights Reserved. Material from this 11 newsletter may be reprinted or shared by our club members with proper citation and written consent from the editor. In a bygone era this was a regular gathering place for people and their automobiles .

See the cover article for details of this passing activity.

The Brass The Lamp A Publication of the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc. Carriage Missouri, of Club Horseless the of Publication A www.hccmo.com (314) 991-HONK