The Brass Lamp the Brass Lamp

September 2016 The Brass Lamp

How the Automobile Shaped American Culture

Americans did not invent the was Red’s Giant Hamburg in automobile, but over the last Springfield, Missouri. In 1947, century cars have come to Sheldon “Red” Chaney decided he define much of what it means could serve more customers faster to be an American. A symbol by opening a drive-through win- of independence and personal dow at his Route 66 hamburger freedom, cars made us mo- shop. The business survived until bile, transformed our society Chaney’s retirement in 1984, one and shaped our modern cul- year before America’s most iconic ture. In this article, we take a highway was removed from the look at just a few everyday U.S. highway system. ways cars helped alter our world. The Road Trip Most of us can relate to the all- another claimed to have pio- Drive-Through Service American experience of the road neered the concept, the coun- Americans have always been trip. Some of these trips, real or try’s first drive-through window addicted to speed. Speed imagined, have made for great was actually opened in 1928 by equals convenience, which literature and memorable film. the City Center Bank in Syra- for better or worse is one of Here are some that we found un- cuse, New York. the single most important forgettable. factors when defining the The first hamburger restaurant American ideal of a quality Continued on Page 6 >>> experience in our consumer- to offer drive-through service oriented society.

Today, pharmacies, coffee shops and beer distributors offer drive-through service. While fast food chains McDonald’s and In-N-Out Burger have at one time or

The historic Burger Hut restaurant along Route 66 in Needles, Calif. Image of the Burger Hut by Tydence, via Flickr

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

Sharon Mercer (636) 928-8672 Greetings everyone! best of my knowledge there 2nd Vice President/Membership Ladies and gentlemen, mem- was absolutely no negative bers of the club, if you were feedback whatsoever. And a Louis Allen unable to attend the annual good time was had by all. Let’s (314) 741-4158 HCCM summer picnic you do it again next year! Treasurer missed an awesome event. The weather could not have been AAA inaugural employee car Susan Ebert more spectacular. At last show This event will take (314-791-5461) count there were over 55 place on Saturday, October 1, Recording Secretary members present at the club 2016 from 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm, picnic held on Sunday, August at AAA headquarters 12901 Dr. Gerald Perschbacher 21, 2016 at Paul Schroeder North Outer Forty Drive, St. (314) 849-5249 Park in Ballwin. As promised Louis, MO 63141. Registration Corresponding Secretary we had melt-in-your-mouth must be mailed in prior to Sep- smoked beef brisket and roast- tember 23, 2016. This is not an Directors ed turkey breast, baked beans, HCCM event. However, all of Bill Albertin(2016) Al Mercer(2016) and macaroni and cheese. our members are aware AAA is John Clark (2017) These items were provided by our number one true loyal cor- Ron Nelson(2017) Sugarfire Barbecue with funds porate sponsor in the greater Jackie Allen (2018) from the club—not to mention St. Louis area. Mr. Mike Right Mike Ebert (2018) all the yummy treats and will be celebrating his 50 years goodies and side dishes that of faithful dedicated service to Ron Nelson other members were kind and AAA. HCCM has been invited 9826 Affton View Ct. gracious to bring. Special and extended the invitation St. Louis, MO 63123 thank you to all those who (see page 7) to bring no less (314) 638-7131 helped and brought dishes and than 25 of our classic vehicles Brass Lamp Editor desserts to the picnic. To the to the event. Preregistration

Don Hoelscher (636) 939-9667 Webmaster

www.hccmo.com (314) 991-HONK

Celebrating 72 Years In St. Louis!

2 for this event is required. Any- Sunday, October 9, 2016, at the none other than KMOX radio one in need of any further in- Museum of Transportation at personality Johnny Rabbit! Mr. formation please contact Peter 3015 Barrett Station Rd. St. Lou- Elz (a.k.a. Johnny Rabbit) is go- Bitzer or Joe at 314-602-9498. is, MO 63122 from 11 AM until 3 ing to put together a special PM. All vehicles participating presentation geared specifically Wheels in motion! The 20th must be in place no later than to our club and the Route 66 anniversary of the Wheels in 10:30 AM. The registration for anniversary. Be prepared for Motion will take place on Sun- this event must be received by some surprises and good clean day, September 11, 2016 rain September 30, 2016. Just a re- fun. All members will be noti- or shine. Location: Westport minder all vehicles participating fied whether or not they have Plaza upper parking lot. This is must be 1931 or earlier. earned free admission to the not an HCCM sponsored event holiday party. I will have more but we participate. All pro- White elephant auction: The specific information at the Sep- ceeds from this event are do- annual white elephant auction tember general meeting. It will nated to the National Chil- will be held in conjunction with be available on the website dren’s Cancer Society. For fur- the monthly general meeting on along with the Brass Lamp ther information on “NCCS” Friday, October 21, 2016. Start- newsletter. visit www.thenccs.org. “To im- ing time is earlier at 6:30 PM. prove quality of life for chil- Remember this meeting will take Glenn Echo Country Club is a dren with cancer and their place in room 156A, North Wing private golf club that was families worldwide.” I would (same room as last year). Over founded by George McGrew like to encourage all members $700 was generated that was and his son-in-law Albert Bond to participate in this event. donated to the charity chosen. Lambert. Completed in 1901, it Start rummaging through your was the first 18-hole golf Don’t forget our HCCM gen- stash of interesting items that course in the St. Louis area and eral meeting on September you would like to donate to be the first golf course west of the 16th at 7:30 PM at Logan Col- auctioned for charity. Last year Mississippi. The course also lege. we had quite the cornucopia of hosted the golf events for the items to be auctioned. Not to 1904 summer Olympics. HCCM’s swap meet/classic mention what a great time every- [Source: Wikipedia.com] car show: This year’s swap one had. HCCM corresponding meet will be held on Sunday, Secretary Gerry Perschbacher has I think that’s enough infor- September 18, 2016 at the volunteered to be our master of mation for now. I look forward Hollywood Casino parking lot. ceremonies for this event. to seeing all of you at the Sep- This venue continues to grow tember meeting where I have a in size and the location has Chili cook-off: The annual special surprise for our evening grown quite popular with all of HCCM chili cook-off will be held presentation. the vendors. We are still in in conjunction with the general need of members to help out meeting on Friday, November Sincerely by participating to assist the 18th 2016 at our usual room loca- Joseph F. Yochim vendors into their proper location at Logan College. Starting tion. For members who do not time will be 6:30 PM. All mem- enjoy watching the sun rise bers are encouraged to bring a please come later in the morn- chili selection of their choice and/ ing and help out with judging or a side dish. Members will of the classic cars. As in years need to provide their own Ro- past the club will be providing laids and Tums! several tables for items for sale. Members wishing to sell Christmas party! If you did not automobile related items need read last month’s edition of the to have each item identified Brass Lamp, then you did not with the make, model, year, the hear the big news. Back by pop- price and who it belongs to. ular suggestion our club will be returning to the Glen Echo Coun- HCCM BRASS & nickel show! try Club, 3401 Lucas and Hunt The 11th annual Brass & Nickel Rd., Normandy, MO 63121 on show that is absolutely free to Sunday, December 4, 2016, be- Glen Echo Country Club participants will be held on ginning at Noon until 3:30 PM. Our master of ceremonies will be

3 Recently I was fortunate to be in Los Angeles on business. While Mr. President at the Petersen in the Los Angeles area I decid- By Joseph F. Yochim ed to go visit the Petersen Auto- motive Museum. This museum has been in numerous Holly- wood movies, featured programs and in magazines, so it was on my bucket list of places to visit. I would like to share with you first what I learned. Information in this article has been summarized from The Pe- tersen Automotive Museum fly- er. More information is on the Web at www.peterson.org. The museum is “a Los Angeles lega- cy that attracts worldwide admi- ration.” A native of Southern an and model for Coca-Cola, to the famous Petersen Vault. California, Mr. Petersen was ex- Ivory Soap, Rheingold Beer, Our tour began with a ride in posed to cars at an early age and other brands. Mrs. Peter- the elevator down into the thanks to his father who was a son was the driving force be- bowels of the building. Imme- mechanic. Mr. Petersen graduat- hind Teen magazine which be- diately one can see that this is ed from Barstow California High came the largest circulation a massive collection. Our tour School in 1942 and moved to title in the Peterson publishing begins with a 1903 Cadillac Los Angeles. He found work as company portfolio. and our tour guide explains a messenger boy at MGM studi- how the Cadillac and Henry os, becoming a publicst there The company produced 27 Ford’s model are basically the when older employees were periodicals and another 30 same car. The tour continued called for military service in specialty publications that with a 1908 Chevrolet with World War II. Mr. Petersen’s reached more than 45 million nothing mentioned about how proximity to the most exotic readers, many of which are still Chevrolet got its beginning— vehicles of the era fed his inter- published including Car Craft, or what happened to Lewis est in cars. Rod and Custom, Sport, Peter- Chevrolet at age 26. We soar sons Hunting, Guns and Ammo, through the 1900s into the Mr. Petersen became an inde- Petersons Photographic, Skin 20s. I raised my hand and pendent publicist. He produced Diver, Motor Cyclist, Petersons asked the tour guide “Do you a hot rod show with the South- 4-Wheel & Off Road, Sassy, and have any Moons or Gardners?” ern California Timing Associa- Tiger Beat. The Petersons also “No we don’t,” he replied. tion at the Los Angeles Armory have a direct tie to the famous “What about Dyke or a Dor- in 1948. The eight-page pro- Sema show in Las Vegas Neva- ris?” “No we don’t have any of gram Mr. Petersen created for da a.k.a. Specialty Equipment those.” The tour continues on the event sold out at $.25 per Manufacturers Association. various vehicles from various copy. Its sequel became Hot eras—a broad spectrum of Rod magazine. Within two Okay enough history. Now let vehicles. years, circulation of Hot Rod me tell you the good part: my soared to almost 150,000. In experience at the museum. We get to the end of the vault 1949 Mr. Petersen established First of all I drove past this new part of the tour. Much to my Motor Trend in order to broaden building three times even us- delight I got to see Mr. Pe- his audience beyond the hot rod ing GPS. That is because it tersen s 1948 Tucker. Directly segment. It quickly became the does not look anything like across the row from the Tucker premier magazine serving new- you would expect an automo- is a 1929 Ruxton Model C car enthusiasts. In 1962 Mr. Pe- tive museum to look like. The roadster. Our tour guide ex- terson met Margie McNally, building has this spectacular plains the art deco design “Miss Rheingold 1957.” In 1963 façade on the outside that theme and how the Ruxton Mr. Petersen married her. Mar- looks like nothing you’ve ever was a front wheel drive vehi- gie McNally had been discov- seen before. cle. I raised my hand again. ered at age 12 by a talent scout. The tour guide reluctantly re- She was a famous spokeswom- We purchased our tickets for sponds. I said, “Isn’t it true the guided tour including a trip

4 that the Ruxton was manufactured in St. Louis, Missouri, along with the Moon and Gardner?” “Yes sir, that is true. Thank you for that information.”

That was the end of the vault tour. After the tour was over the guide and I began talking. In discuss- ing vehicles, he could not believe that I have seen and ridden in a Maxwell and a Moon and he did not believe that we have members of our club that have a Ruxton , Mercer, or a DuPont. I said, “Yes sir; I am aware there are only 18 DuPonts left in the whole world. And one of our members has one of the 18.” He said, “Mr. Yochim, if you have those kinds of vehicles in your club why don’t you have pictures of these vehicles on your website?” I said, “You got me.” Ladies and gentlemen of this club I truly believe we need to get some photos of the vehicles that all of you own and put them on the website without names of the owners and locations for obvious security reasons. Our organization has vehicles that people have never heard of let alone seen or had the opportunity to ride in. Quite frankly it was humbling to know that this little guy from the Midwest knows more about the history and has seen and ridden in more vehicles than the tour guide who works at the most prestigious collection on the West Coast!

More photos from the annual club picnic

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Jack Kerouac’s 1957 novel On R&B singer and saxophonist malls we know today actually the Road is arguably the first Jackie Brenston was the first began during the mid-1940s, modern road novel. Other classic example of American rock ‘n’ primarily on the West Coast. The road trips in literature include roll. In 1991, the Rock and Roll earliest were retail stores gath- John Steinbeck’s Travels with Hall of Fame made it official ered in suburban “cluster com- Charley (1962); Tom Wolfe’s The when it dubbed Brenston’s plexes” or strip-style arrange- Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test(1968); “Rocket 88”— a song about ments. Seattle’s Northgate Cen- Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and an Oldsmobile—“the first rock ter (since renamed the Loathing in Las Vegas (1971); song.” Northgate Mall) opened in 1950 Robert Persig’s Zen and the Art and is now considered to be the of Motorcycle Mainte- Rolling Stone magazine chart- first “enclosed” modern shop- nance (1974); William Least Heat ed the birth of “rock ‘n’ roll ping mall. -Moon’s Blue Highways (1982), guitar” to the popular 1955 and many others. Chuck Berry song, Over 50 years, untold billions in “Maybellene,” a hit about a retail sales and thousands of two-timing woman and a race new shopping malls later, the between a Ford and Cadillac. basic formula for “building re- From the Beatles to Elvis, the tail” remains the same through- Beach Boys to Bruce Spring- out the world: enclosed space steen, Jan & Dean to Janis Jop- with stores attached, away from lin, almost anyone who made downtown, and accessible pri- it big in the early world of rock marily by automobile. had a car song or two in their repertoire.

Road trips have also propelled many of the narratives in the most popular American films of all time. From drama (Easy Rider) to comedy (National Lampoon’s Vacation) to post-apocalyptic science fiction (The Road Warri- or) to B-rated action films like Duel (which helped launch the career of one of America’s most celebrated directors, Ste- ven Spielberg), the formula for a Shopping Malls Youth Culture great American road movie is After World War II, as the We now live in an age when, simple: put a couple characters American suburbs expanded according to the Pew Research into the same car, give them a thanks to the automobile, a Center, some 75 percent of mission or a destination, and let new and more convenient kind teens own a mobile phone and the action and hilarity ensue. of shopping center was need- 93 percent spend over 10 hours ed away from downtown. In- every day interfacing with some Rock ‘n’ Roll door shopping centers were sort of online or electronic me- Cars have, until recently, always not new; the Cleveland Arcade, been synonymous with fast considered the first of its kind dia. Cars no longer play quite times and fast women—timeless in the U.S., opened in Ohio in the role they used to in the lives fodder for rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, 1890. of young people. But make no music historians have long be-

6 teen culture for almost the entire second half of the last century.

The website faqs.org summed it up best: “The car not only provided a means for suburban and rural youth to travel to central cities, but it also created a kind of portable ‘private space’ that enhanced other customs, including courtship, sex, drinking, and listening to the radio.”

In allowing young people to connect in the 1950s and ’60s, cars gave rise to youth culture and gave young people a voice. mistake: cars started it all, as impact teen culture” and you’ll It paved the way for changes in exemplified in popular TV shows find some 126,000,000 results fashion, music, movies, food and like Happy Days. outlining how the automobile art. In doing so, it also paved the singlehandedly created and way for what has happened in Google the words “automobile “drove” the phenomenon of every decade since.

Come celebrate the inaugural Automobile Club of Missouri Employee Car Show featuring free food, fun and cars at the AAA Headquarters, located near I-64 and Mason Road. While the show will highlight cars owned by AAA employees, we’re inviting a select number of local car enthusiasts to participate. Vehicle registration is open to all years, makes and models.

On the day of the show, check-in begins at 11 a.m., and all cars must be checked in by 12:45 p.m. As a courtesy, all cars should remain parked in position until 5 p.m. For entrants with cars on trailers, please contact Mike Right at (314) 523-6981 for special instructions.

For registration forms, contact Mike Right at the number above or pick up at our next HCCM general meeting. Please register by Friday, September 23.

The parking lot “show” at our annual picnic

7 HIP-HIP-HOORAY FOR OUR HCCM FRIENDS! By Gerald Perschbacher (LL.D.)

CONGRATULATIONS to the following whose cars were shown in the July-August 2016 edition of the HCCA GAZETTE:

 HCCM members George & Sue Dorris (1909 Dorris Model K touring car)  HCCM Carl & Mary Burst (their former 1909 Model C Moon, now owned by Jeff & Connie Berdass)  Rick Quirin’s 1914 Maxwell Model 35-4 roadster. Rick has been a member of the HCCM and a friend who keeps the old car running.

The article (see pertinent photos of their cars) was about the 2016 National Convention and Tour of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. That tour was held in Florida. The main article was written by Carol Hoagland with additional pictures by Kristin McKib- bin, and total coverage ran 10 pages. John C. Meyer III is editor of the publication.

For details about securing copies of that full-color issue, or to join the national HCCA, go online at www.hcca.org or call (626) 287-HCCA (4222).

Photos used with permission to print from HCCA Gazette. Permission not granted for web use.

You are cordially invited to enter your Brass or Nickel Cars and Trucks in the Eleventh Annual Brass & Nickel Car Show

October 9, 2016 11:00 AM — 3:00 PM

Absolutely free to participants Bring your Brass and Nickel Car or Truck (1931 or earlier) to the Museum and enjoy a fun-filled day.

Presented by the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc.

Museum of Transportation 3015 Barrett Station Road St. Louis MO 63122

Cars must be in place between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM

Trailer parking available by maintenance garage on lower parking lot. Please unload your vehicles on the lower level and drive cars to the upper parking lot if possible. For guest safety, there will be no driving on the show lot after 11:00 AM

No Hot Rods, Modified, Reproductions or Street Rods

For more information and registration call Larry Hassel at 636-391-8783 or email to [email protected]. Forms also available at www.hccmo.com.

The Spirit of St. Louis Region of the Classic Car Club invites you to join them for a scenic fall caravan to Ste. Genevieve, MO. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016 MEETING LOCATION & TIME - 8:30AM 699 GRAVOIS BLUFFS BLVD. FENTON, MO. (We will gather behind the Starbucks and in front of Big Lots.) We will depart from Gravois Bluffs Blvd. promptly at 9:00am After a drive on the back country roads from St. Louis to Ste. Genevieve (which should have some amazing fall foliage!), participants will tour the Crown Valley Tiger Sanctuary. The Tiger Sanctuary houses large cats that have been rescued. We will hear their stories, see them up close and personal, and get a tasting of Fizzy Izzy root beer made by Crown Valley. After the Tiger Sanctuary, we will take a short, but again scenic, drive to the beautiful Crown Valley Winery where participants will take tours of the winery and have a wine tasting. After the winery tour and tasting, enjoy lunch on your own at Crown Valley Winery, or take a brief drive down the road to Crown Valley Distillery where they offer lunch items, as well as some very good locally crafted beers. COST IS $20.00 PER PERSON Questions and registration information: Call Shannon Olsen at (314) 825-2980 no later than Monday, October 3rd. 9

JOHN PORBECK TRIBUTE All car club members of the Horseless Carriage Club, Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Mississippi Valley Packard Club and Classic Car Club are invited to attend a car show and lunch at Manns Restoration #5 North Sixth Street Festus MO 63028 Phone 636-933-7008 or 314-308-6670

Saturday, October 8, 2016, 11:00 AM — 2:00 PM

RSVP to Bill Albertin, Packard Director 314-894-1143 by October 1, 2016

Please bring photos of John Porbeck’s cars that he had at events you attended for sharing with attendees and friends.

AUTOMOTIVE PIONEERS TRIVIA CHALLENGE “Hall of Fame” Every month we will feature a description of one or more automotive pioneers. Can you guess the identity of these inventive and creative people? Answers the following month.

Pioneer #15: Charles Metz In 1909 Metz bought the Waltham factory and began making his own brand of autos, the little Metz 22. He, almost alone, led the movement toward smaller less expensive automobiles. Others followed.

Pioneer #16: Finley R. Porter Chief engineer and designer of the Mercer Raceabout. He started his own car company on Long Island in 1914 and the badge name was F. R. P. Very few were made. His design was used later on the expensive and powerful Porter from 1920 to 1922.

Pioneer #17 1843 – 1909 This man formed a bicycle company in 1879 and became known as “the founder of American bicycle industries.” In 1896 he began making electric runabouts through another company. Soon he controlled that company and started his large luxury automobiles in their four plants located in four different cities in the U.S. Who was this great man? Answer next month.

Pioneer #18 1863 – 1928 This great man organized an electric company in 1890 to make electric wire. He drew plans for his first auto in 1893 but financing kept him from making it until 1899. It was successful. In 1900 he formed his company called New York and Ohio Automobile Co. They changed the name and moved to Detroit in 1903. Who was this great man? Answer next month

Submitted by Bill Tabor. Most info from CHILTONS COMPLETE BOOK OF AUTOMOTIVE FACTS, Editor: Craig T. Norback. Published 1979 10 The Brass Lamp

The Publication of the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc. September 2016

Activities Calendar

Information in this calendar is summarized. See flyers for events —go to www.midwestswapmeets.com 2016 SWAP MEETS CAR SHOWS, ETC. 2016 Club Events Calendar September 11 Wheels in Motion, Westport Plaza September 16 My Car II, Sedalia MO, State Fairgrounds September 18 HCCM Show & Swap Meet, Hlywd Casino September 16 7:30 General Meeting, Logan September 24 All British Show Creve Coeur Lake Park October 21 6:30 White Elephants, Logan September 25 St. Charles Main Street Car Show North Wing RM156A September 25 Archway Olds Club Show Mus of Transpt November 18 6:30 Chili Cook-off, Logan October 1 AAA Offices Employee show (see invite) December 4 Holiday Party Noon-3:30 PM October 8 Porbeck Tribute Mann’s Restoration Festus Glen Echo Country Club October 9 Brass & Nickel Show, Mus. Of Transport October 15 Fall Caravan to St. Genevieve (see invite)

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

Just a word about ‘Membership Renewal’ Sharon Mercer, Membership Chairman It’s time to renew your 2017 membership. All members, whether Regular, Special, Honorary, or Life are required by the By-Laws to complete a new form each year. It is very important you fill out the form completely and legibly. PLEASE PRINT. Hint: stick a return address label on the form and then complete the rest by hand (home, work, cell, fax numbers and spouse if applicable). Do not write on the form ‘SAME AS LAST YEAR’ since if I could not read it last year chances are you are out of luck this year. As always we appreciate your prompt response in getting the form along with your dues back to our Treasurer Lou Allen at the address listed on the form. Or…save a stamp, bring your completed form and pay at the meeting. Forms will always be available at each meeting and on our Web page www.HCCMO.com.

The Brass Lamp is a monthly publication of The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri ©2016 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.

Tom and Butch Taylor’s 1956 DeSoto Firedome as seen at the annual HCCM picnic at

Schroeder Park in August. See more photos from the picnic on pages 5 and 7.

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