The Society of Automotiver Historians, Inc. Issue 218 September-October 2005 Writing the History of Our Hobby 7 By jim Crabtree he job of a historian is twofold. The first is to document facts: names, dates, www.autohistory.org places, etc. The second and perhaps more important job is to interpret those T facts. A transcription of history really doesn't do anybody any good. The real value of history is the lessons that it can teach to future generations. To not study history Inside is to be condemned to repeat the same fai lures and to be unable to replicate the recog­ nized successes. Good history is written from a distance in time because it is only from that perspective that the lessons become clear and an interpretation of the facts becomes Editorial Comment 2 possible Great men throughout the ages have all understood that their true legacy could not be written until long after their deaths. The Society of Automotive Historians is sup­ posed to be populated by historians, but are we fulfilling our duties and responsibilities President's Perspective 3 to the present age and to those not yet born? Reviewing the written works of automotive historians 1 would conclude that, yes, the first responsibility of an historian has been fu lfilled admirably I have yet to meet an SAH News 4 automotive historian who was not a collector, carefully buying, cataloging and reviewing brochures, dealer albums, advertisements and the like. Automotive historians have writ­ ten many excellent books that very skillfully document numbers, codes and model iden­ Book Reviews 7 tification. In fact documenting these isolated facts seem to be our strongest trait, but is it Karosserien nach Mass­ our best? Wend/er-1923-1963 As much as I love cars I actually have become tired of reading carefully researched historical reviews about an automobile that was produced in the early 1900s by an Vintage American Road Racing undercapitalized manufacturer who was only able to turn out one prototype and four Cars 1950-1970 production models of which none are known to exist today Yes, this is history, but writ­ Bentley: Fifty Years of the Marque ing this does not fulfill our real role as historians. It is time that the work of automotive historians rises to the next academic level and makes comments about the facts , distills the lessons learned and concludes our writings with historical morals that are applicable Letters 10 to the future . Historical hobbyists? Billboard 15 This historical writing that does seek to extrapolate lessons has appeared in some well-writ­ ten books and articles. Most especially it is those that cover the saga of the American auto­ motive industry as the tide of imports engulfed it in the 1970s. But this critique of histori­ cal events does not appear in most other works. Perhaps the reason that we are not as criti­ cal of people and events as we should be during our research is that we are really just his­ torical hobbyists and not academes. We seem to be just too emotionally attached to our cars and our collections, and perhaps it is too painful to conclude through historical study that the cars we love the best are the ones that should never have been produced. Every SAH member is thoroughly familiar with the stories about gas guzzling, over-chromed, over-powered, wooden bodied, two passenger, impractical examples of road an that con­ stantly fill our hobby publications. These articles are not real historical study Had the lessons of history related to automotive design and development been continued Olt page 6 I'm Lovin' the Buzz And speaking of letters, I am particular brands to the exclusion of always gratifi ed to hear from you lt everything else. In their "not seeing the shows you are reading the journal and forest for the trees" they are cheating you find it worth your while to add your themselves out of the rich heritage of the knowledge to the mix. This issue's mail­ automobile, in Detroit and throughout bag contains more on ale in cars, an the world. admonition to never stop asking ques­ I wonder if there is a correspon­ tions and a lengthy "setting the record ding myopia when it comes to automo­ Thomas S. Jakups, Editor straight" that should provoke a few com­ tive history: an interest in only certain ments. All in all , an issue with a certain periods of history- "the history of your his issue was fun for me to put buzz. Thank you, members. youth"7. That, too, would be very limit­ together. lt is chock full of good l am also happy to announce that ing. T stuff-Hershey and next spring's my call for articles in the last journal did l just want to take a moment to say History Conference, the upcoming World not go unheeded. I have already heard a few words about my colleague on the Forum, chapter news, a member advanc­ from several members and their works facing page. For the past two years l have ing in his career and another completing will grace the front pages of upcoming had the pleasure of talking to and listen­ a most worthwhile project. issues. I still need book reviews. ing to joe Free man at Board meetings and And that's just the "SAH ews." As the summer winds down l start history conferences and have always jim Crabtree makes some excellent points to ref1ect on the latest car show season. come away impressed with the depth of in his front-page article "Writing the His­ At show after show l have witnessed his knowledge about cars and his exuber­ tory of Our Hobby." I look forward to a what jim Crabtree calls that "phenomena ant love for the Society. Thank you, joe, continuing discussion of our role as auto­ of being interested in only the cars of for your contributions to these pages. motive historians in upcoming issues. your youth." I see people taking it fur­ Don't be a stranger. l can see the letters being written now. ther by zeroing in and identifying with -Tom)akups Q.tJ.fll~ , ~ J Issue 218 Se ptember- Octobe r 2005 Officers Publications Committee SAH Journal (ISSN 1057- 1973) Joseph S. Freeman President Christopher G. Foster, Chair is published six times a year by the Michael L. Berger Vice President Taylor Vinson Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. Da rwyn H. Lumley Secretary Thomas S. Jakups Christopher G. Foster Treasurer Michael lamm Subscription is by membership Beverly Rae Kimes in the Society. Board of Directors Through October 2005 Membership dues are $40 per year. Susa n S. Davis John A. Marino Past Editors Send du es, membership inquiries Arthur W. Jones Richard B. Brigham and changes of address to Through October 2006 Issues 1-29 Sept. 1969- (undated) 1973 Samuel V. Fiorani Robert R. Ebert Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. Patricia lee Yongue G. Marshall Naul 1102 long Cove Road Through October 2007 30-50 july 1973-Dec. 1976 Gales Ferry, CT 06335- 1812 USA Michael Bromley Paul N. Lashbrook John Peckham Stanton A. lyman 51-59 Feb. 1977 - july 1978 ©2005 Walter Gosden The Society of Automotive Historians, Inc. SAH Journal 60-87 Nov. 1978-Dec. 1983 Thomas S. Jakups Find the Society of Automotive Historians Editor, Advertising Manager Richard B. Brigham on the web at www.autohistory.org. 37 Wyndwood Road 88-117 jan.jFeb. 1983-Nov.jDec. 1988 West Hartford, CT 06107 USA Christopher G. Foster 860-236-0125 Fax 860-232-0468 118-157 jan.jFeb. 1989-julyjAug. 1995 Copy Deadline for Journal 219 email: [email protected] Samuel V. Fiorani October 31st [email protected] 158-194 Sept./Oct. 1995-Sept./Oct. 2001 2 SAH journa l No. 218 Swan Song life can no longer be ignored, and I am cooperation lie at the heart of our work. proud to be part of a group of folks, both From our magnificent members' list and amateur and professional, who under­ resource directory to our semi-annual stand that fact and take its promotion conferences and gatherings both in the very seriously. United States and abroad, we exist to Second on the list is our dedication unite interested parties. I sense that to quality. In earlier messages I have noted some years ago the field of automotive history was a somewhat fragmented Joseph S. Freeman, President that as our field grows and matures we have been exposed to more and more activity with a few well-known authors ean hardly believe that two years well-written, superbly documented and publishing recognized works and most have passed so quickly as your beautifully illustrated works, including everyone else either toiling in obscurity l President, and that this will be my films, television productions and museum or collecting material without much last leader's message for our journal. exhibits. l would like to believe that in knowledge of others sharing their pas­ My first order of business is to our own way SAH has played a significant sion. I feel that has definitely changed, thank you for allowing me to serve at the role in this movement, not only through witnessed by dozens of specialty pub­ head of such an interesting, diverse and our awards and assistance to one another, lications, periodicals and the steady dedicated group of people. It has been a but also through our collective buying growth in our own membership. privilege and an honor, as well as ex­ power and, at least in one instance, our Another example might be our tent at tremely rewarding.