February 2017 The Brass Lamp The Innovation of Moon and Gardner by Gerald Perschbacher, LL.D. These were not the only car makers of note in that city, but they were the last of the originals, outlasting all others regardless of price class. There were some local brands that were of national re- nown and that were costlier, such as the American Mors and the Dorris. But in the essence of Moon and Gardner was a spirit of innovation and workmanship that burst upon the market in a scur- ried rush for corporate survival. There had been talk of a mer- ger with Gardner, Moon, and St. Louis-outsider Stutz in 1930. A news article stated that the nego- tiations included the need for The Ruxton is a rare product made by the dozens by Kissell and by Moon. Stutz to move from its Indianapo- lis location to St. Louis. Said the article, “Reports of the pending Innovation was needed if car calling St. Louis their home. deal have been current…as well as makers were to survive the These were established com- in New York financial circles and at cataclysmic years of the panies. Each rose to success in Indianapolis, although officials of Great Depression in the horse-drawn vehicle produc- the Gardner Company denied 1930s. Two relatively small tion. Gardner was a dominant knowledge of the pending deal. but proudly successful Mid- national force in the buggy An Associated Press dispatch… western car companies aimed industry by the late 1890s with from New York also stated that to add a grand innovation to its Banner Buggy manifesta- such negotiations were reported their car lines. Each hoped tion. Moon arose from the in Wall Street circles.” the addition would bring efforts of Joseph Moon who much needed success. split from the Moon Brothers’ The innovations didn’t buggy operation to establish Continued on Page 5>>> succeed in the long run, but his own buggy company and, for the short haul, they were by 1906, his car company. dynamite. Each company had its bat- The companies were tery of craftsmen to make cars Gardner and Moon, both in modest quantities or as one- offs when special orders came. Each had its own mod- ern factory and was positioned for national significance. Each could ship cars by rail or boat (notably on the Mississippi River). Both were similarly priced in the medium field. And each was cordial to the other. Joseph F Yochim The President’s (314) 602-9498 President Column… Mark Goldfeder By Joseph F Yochim (314) 878-2786 1st Vice President/Programs Greetings everyone, Unfortunately, my lovely wife rolled Al Mercer and fractured her right ankle on (636) 928-8672 Despite what the ground hog the morning of Friday, January 19, 2nd Vice President/Membership predicted, a sure sign of early 2017. And I quote one of our spring is that the robins are back! founding fathers, Benjamin Frank- Louis Allen About a week ago, I first started lin, “one does not realize what one (314) 741-4158 to notice them. Four years ago, has until he does not have.” All the Treasurer the Sunday before Easter we got wonderful things that my lovely 12 inches of snow. This year, wife does for me afford me the Martin L. Hassel Easter Sunday falls on April 16, time to be able to delegate to oth- (314-232-5934) 2017. The weather should be er areas including my duties to this Recording Secretary good. So be sure to fill out the organization. Not being able to enclosed 56th Easter Concours d’ participate fully has truly been a Dr. Gerald Perschbacher Elegance registration forms. humbling and eye-opening experi- (314) 849-5249 Even if you do not plan to bring ence. It makes me realize just how Corresponding Secretary your vehicle out to this venue, amazingly resilient all of you mem- many volunteers are needed for bers are. I will be turning 56 in Directors this event. Remember: coming March of this year and I cannot John Clark (2017) Ron Nelson(2017) out and working at the Easter keep up or hold a candle to 99% of Jackie Allen (2018) show, and also helping out at the you in this organization. How do David Stephens (2018) September swap meet, provides you guys do it??? Kevin Williams(2019) you credit toward a free HCCM Sharon Mercer(2019) Christmas party dinner. HCCM audit: In order to comply with the bylaws of the club an audit With that said, I have several an- must be performed at the begin- Ron Nelson nouncements to make at the 7:30 ning of each calendar year. Our 9826 Affton View Ct. PM February 17 general mem- audit committee worked very hard St. Louis, MO 63123 bership meeting at Logan Col- and went over the books and the (314) 638-7131 Brass Lamp Editor lege. Mr. Perschbacher will be checking account with a fine-tooth doing a video PowerPoint tribute comb and I am pleased and proud Kevin Williams to Mr. John Porbeck and his for- to report to the organization that (314) 481-9111 mer collection of vehicles. The once again Jackie and Lou Allen Webmaster February general meeting will be performed an outstanding job. your opportunity to get signed Everything was found in meticulous up to participate in the St. Pat- order and all expenditures and re- rick’s Day parade held in down- ceipts accounted for. The 2016 cal- town St. Louis. The parade will endar year is officially closed and be held on Saturday, March 11, we ended the year in good fiscal 2017, and spaces are extremely shape! limited. Members wishing to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day On a personal note, our board of parade need to contact Larry directors received word that long- Hassel or your President Joe time member, and our long-time www.hccmo.com Yochim ASAP. web master, Mr. Don Holscher, has (314) 991-HONK inoperable cancer which was dis- I would like to extend a personal covered in the month of December. thank you all members who par- Kevin Williams will be taking over ticipated and helped by bringing as web master pending approval Celebrating 73 Years vehicles to the 2017 St. Louis from the board of directors. That greater area auto show (see arti- approval will appoint Mr. Williams In cles and pictures in this edition). to the HCCM board of directors, so St. Louis! 2 Kevin will fill the vacant opening and your board of directors will full of people who had nothing as well as carry on Don’s duties. be glad to help with anything but the best of intentions!” To all of you within the member- that can be done to ease your Wishing you all wellness and ship, if anyone knows of a mem- troubles and burden. happiness, I hope to see you at ber, or are themselves, going the February 17 general meet- through medical issues or hard- Happiness comes from within. ing at Logan College at 7:30 PM. ship please do not hesitate to Every day is what you make of reach out to me or anyone on our it. I shall quote another one of Sincerely, board of directors. Members are my dear father’s famous life- Joseph Francis Yochim all friends and family in HCCM. I sayings. “Son, the cemetery is International Visitor Attends the Auto Show Just to See HCCM Exhibit My observations—Siddhartha Sharma I saw the advertisement of the St Louis Auto show 2017 which was being held at the “America’s Center and The Dome” and being a vintage and classic car enthusiast was wondering whether there would be any classic cars on display. While there was no mention in the official St Louis Auto Show website about the display, on further searching on Google I found that “Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri” had displayed classic cars during the St louis Auto Show held in 2016. I decided to go to the Auto Show hoping that there would be classics cars on display and to my amazement I saw seven beautiful cars on exhibition by the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri. I am truly grateful to newsletter editor Ronald for allowing me take a closer look at the at the cars and to take close-up photos. I am also thankful to Gerald for taking me through the history of each of the cars on display. I, myself have two classic cars in New Delhi, India: Ford Prefect (1952) and FIAT Delite (1965). The Ford Prefect was manufactured in UK (1952) and FIAT Delite (1965) was manufactured in Italy, the last of the FIAT cars to be brought to India. The FIAT Delite was later manufactured in India under license from FIAT of Italy from the year 1966 onwards. Both these cars are at my house in India. It is always a pleasure to see cars such as yours kept in such impeccable condition by their owners. Below are pictures of my cars which were restored in New Delhi by Tutu Dhawan, India’s foremost expert in automobiles and one of the finest vintage and classic cars restorers in India. His restora- tion projects can be viewed on the website www.tutudhawan.com. 1952 Ford Prefect 1965 Fiat Delite 3 Auto Show Observations Dr. Gerald Perschbacher and Larry Hassel For the 2017 Auto Show we pur- time we display a variety in order As I indicated to our HCCM posely wanted to do the 1960s to catch the broadest attention board recently, this was our theme to see how it would of people, regardless of their 23rd year at the Auto Show.