M a y 2 0 1 7 The Brass Lamp Evolution of the Panel Delivery Vehicle Gerald Perschbacher, LL.D. All rights reserved Before 1910 it did not really take much to make even a one-seat runabout into a haul- er. With a little time and some fiddling with bolts, a runabout could have a rear tonneau seat added or a cargo bed affixed (left). Indeed, it is hard to say when the idea of a Sedan Delivery came about. Except for one 1904 Cadillac with tonneau seat thing—the term SEDAN mainly has been his- torically applied to a fully enclosed vehicle. It’s hard to say exactly when the beloved There’s the rub! Extremely few enclosed cars Sedan Delivery/Panel Delivery model sur- (and those were special ordered or adapted) faced. In the dawning of the American au- were made since the cost was exorbitant and tomobile industry well over a century ago, a the demand was, well, practically nonexist- vehicle was transportation first and fore- ent. The shift to cars with fully enclosed com- most. On weekends the motorized, self- partments, especially to protect against in- propelled vehicle could zip passengers to clement weather, gained momentum by 1911 and from the market or church with equal and continued that trend. What augmented ease. No hooking up horses or dusting off the design of relatively light-weight vehicles the buggy or wagon. During the week, the for small hauling jobs was the First World War. same self-propelled vehicle may have been A century ago, especially as the United States the main means of a farmer transporting entered the fray in April of 1917, Hudson was produce to market or an industrious man- among the car companies that produced per- ager delivering special-made goods to out- sonnel cars for the war effort. Such a vehicle lets. Dual purpose is what some privately was more like a light truck with room for up owned vehicles became upon initial date of to 35 soldiers. purchase. Continued on page 4 >>> The President’s Joseph F Yochim (314) 602-9498 President Column… Mark Goldfeder By Joseph F Yochim (314) 878-2786 1st Vice President/Programs Al Mercer Greetings everyone, made—promise kept! Cars be- (636) 928-8672 Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been gan arriving as early as 7 a.m.. 2nd Vice President/Membership a busy two months since my last Around 7:30 the weather deteri- communication via the Brass orated and it started to drizzle Louis Allen (314) 741-4158 Lamp, so let’s dive right into this. and by 8 a.m. we were in a Treasurer Let me begin, first, with a sincere steady moderate rainfall (YUCK). apology to the membership for At around 9 a.m. I ducked into a Martin L. Hassel last month’s calendar confusion. port-a-potty where I put in a (314-232-5934) There was a mistake made on prayer to our Lord Almighty if he Recording Secretary the date of the general meeting. could please hold the rain off Specifically, we had the wrong until after the show was com- Dr. Gerald Perschbacher date printed in the newsletter. plete. One of my father’s many (314) 849-5249 Secondly, I completely missed famous life quotes was to never Corresponding Secretary the deadline for your April issue ever doubt the power of divine of the Brass Lamp. So, in the intervention. And around 9:30 Directors most important month of the a.m. the rain subsided and the John Clark (2017) year to disseminate information cars began arriving. Ron Nelson(2017) to you in the membership, there Jackie Allen (2018) was nothing. Again, a sincere Every year presents different David Stephens (2018) apology. So moving forward, let challenges. This year our biggest Kevin Williams(2019) me bring you up to date on Sharon Mercer(2019) glitch (problem, whatever word what has transpired. you choose to use) was the PA Ron Nelson system. This problem also 9826 Affton View Ct. Sunday, April 2, 2017 we had a showed up last year at the swap St. Louis, MO 63123 car cruise from South County meet at the Hollywood Casino. (314) 638-7131 Missouri down to historic Unfortunately, everything got Brass Lamp Editor Kimmswick Missouri taking in a packed up in the HCCM club visit to the famous Blue Owl res- trailer and it simply was forgot- Kevin Williams taurant. For those of you who ten. What’s the problem you (314) 481-9111 were not able to attend—Oh, ask? Simply, the amplifier will Webmaster my goodness did you miss out not power up the big freestand- on an absolutely delicious meal. Neal McIntyre ing PA horns. We could only get (314) 494-0346 The Blue Owl restaurant is fa- the smaller speakers to power Special Events Coordinator mous for its gourmet desserts. up. As everyone knows elec- This created a dilemma—so tronics and electronic devices in many choices. Simple solution: I an uncontrolled humidity envi- picked out those that looked ronment is a recipe for failure. most delicious to me. Of those, The club trailer sits outside all caramel apple pie was the most year long, whatever the temper- delicious with a very close sec- ature or the humidity. Needless ond, the “Death by Chocolate” to say, this is an item that will be cake; although it still was not addressed by the board of direc- www.hccmo.com enough chocolate for me! tors. (314) 991-HONK Concours d’Elegance #56 Every year at the Concours d’ Ladies and gentlemen, I prom- Elegance show we see that one ised you that I would be the first special car that stands out Celebrating 73 Years one there on the show field and among the rest of the vehicles. that I would be the last one to In my opinion this year’s vehicle In leave the show field. Promise was brought by a father and son St. Louis! 2 business meeting in order to comply with our by-laws. We will begin the meeting promptly. Immediately following the meet- ing adjournment we will assem- ble all of our vehicles on the Lo- gan College parking lot. We will begin our journey for ice cream!!!! The official location and destination has not yet been set and I am still open to any and all suggestions. Feel free to submit them to me. Father’s Day Cars with Class car show team that arrived on the show 3737 Harry S Truman Blvd., St. The next scheduled HCCM ven- field shortly after 7 a.m. This Charles, MO 63301. Meeting ue will be the Father’s Day Cars vehicle was a 1937 BMW 328 time is 12 noon. At approxi- with Class car show to be held at two passenger coupe. The gen- mately 12:15 p.m. we will begin the Museum of Transportation tleman purchased the car while our journey to Pere Marquette on Barrett Station Road in St. he was serving our country sta- State Park in Calhoun County. I Louis County. Preregistration is tioned in Germany in 1955-57. have not reserved group seating not necessary, however, it will be The vehicle was purchased from as this is a family event. For greatly appreciated since space his commanding officer in 1957 those participating we will all be is limited for this venue to ap- shortly before he was to return on our own regarding waiting proximately 80 vehicles. I home to the states. They had time and serving time in your strongly recommend completing numerous pictures of the vehicle actual location to eat dinner. the enclosed registration form. while he was stationed in Ger- That will be the end of the out- In addition to the awarding of many in the postwar years. That ing. Everyone will be on their prizes at the car show, the Muse- was just one of the over 450 cars own to get home safely. um of Transportation will be we had on the show field. drawing the winning ticket for May strawberry social the beautiful 1963 Golden Rolls Accolades and a job well done We meet Friday, May 19 at Lo- Royce that was on display on to the entire Easter show com- gan College, starting at 6:30 p.m. Easter Sunday. For a mere $25 mittee!!!! This has been an activity in years purchase of a raffle ticket some- past to introduce new members one will be driving home with So, to wrap up my report on the and for all members to just enjoy that beautiful, awesome, won- Easter show 2017, I declare it a some good old fashioned con- derful automobile. huge success. There was, to the versation and fellowship. The best of my knowledge, absolute- theme is strawberries but you’re Ladies and gentlemen, that takes ly no EMS calls, no upset and welcome to bring anything that us halfway into the year. angry contestants, no injuries, is your favorite side dish of Please—as a personal favor to and at the end of the day, every- choice. Guest and friends are your President—remember to one had a great time and no- very much welcome for this place a non-perishable food body got hurt. In my book that’s event. Please reach out and item at your mailbox on Satur- a good day and a huge success! bring a friend or your significant day, May 13. The letter carriers’ other to this event along with a Stamp out Hunger Food Drive Since I only put in 12½ hours side dish.