Double A
In June of 1905 a group of English car owners met to form the Automobile Association (AA) for the sole purpose of avoiding speed traps. The Motor Car Act of 1903 included penalties for speeding, reckless driving with fines and possibility of jail. They came up with the idea to employ bicycle riders to patrol roads and warn members of any upcoming speed trap by a combination of salutes and waves . Members were identified by the AA grill badge attached to the front of the car. Each badge was issued with serial number for authenticity.
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Hood Ornament
A hood ornament once adorned nearly every automobile made; each one a unique miniature sculpture mounted on the front of the hood. From the 1920s to the 1950s hood ornaments were enormously popular with car owners. For owners of a car without a hood ornament, one could be purchased from an English company created just to sell hood ornaments: Louis Lejeune Ltd. which is still in business selling hood ornaments.
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Standing Room Only
Dairy producers used multi-stop delivery trucks from Detroit Industrial Vehicles Company, DIVCO, manufactured from 1926 until 1986. With throttle and brake controls mounted on the steering column, DIVCO trucks allowed the operator to stand while driving. The idea being it was faster to exit and restart the vehicle unencumbered by a driver’s seat. Before refrigeration the loaded milk crates were covered with ice, causing the truck to rust from the inside out.
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Deere Gears
John Deere, avoiding bankruptcy, moved to Grand Detour, Illinois in 1836 where he set up shop as repairman and maker of pitchforks and shovels. Deere observed the iron or wooden plows used by the farmers easily got stuck in the rich Midwestern soil, requiring the farmer to frequently stop and clean the soil from the plow. A process that made the plowing of a field slow and laborious. In his workshop, Deere made a plow from a Scottish steel saw blade, creating a self-scouring steel plow. The invention of the smooth-sided steel plow by Deere, significantly aided farming migration to the American Great Plains during the 19th and early 20th century.
The company’s slogan, “Nothing Runs Like a Deere” and its logo of a leaping deer, with “John Deere” under it, has been used for over 155 years. Today the company manufactures a plethora of equipment used in all sorts of industries.DeereGearsHDRAlabamaButlerGary Rickettsgrickettsgricketts.comPhotography by Gary RickettsFarmTractorhttpsphotographybygaryricketts.cominterior designFine Art PhotographyUniqueWall ArtAntiqueCapturing History Through PhotographyVintageTransportationAutomobileCar
Bugged
The red dragon symbolized Wales for centuries. The reason for the red dragon is lost in myth and history. Geoffrey of Monmouth, who wrote “The History of the Kings of Britain” in the 12th century, attributes the dragon to Arthurian legend. Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father, translates to Dragon Head. Henry Tudor, upon becoming king of England after defeating Richard III, brought the red dragon to England to signify his direct descent from the noble families of Wales. Henry VIII used the red dragon on a green and white background as an emblem on Royal Navy ships.
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Seven Generations
Named after Henry Ford’s estate in Dearborn, Michigan, the Ford Fairlane debuted in 1955 and lasted until 1970. During those fifteen years (15), the Fairlane morphed from the original flashy two toned, silver stripped, eye catcher into the family station wagon complete with imitation wood side paneling.
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V Is For Varoom
The Buick Skylark convertible was brand-new in 1953 to celebrate Buick’s 50th anniversary. The design was based on Buick's experimental sports car, the XP-300. This model of Skylark, available for only for two years, became one of the most sought after luxury classics by collectors. In addition to ncluding high-end standard equipment, the Skylark featured Buick’s first modern V8 engine. Priced at $5,000 (55,488.95 in 2022) Skylark was the car of the stars—Milton Berle, Bob Hope and Jackie Gleason for example. Collector’s have paid up to $190,000 for one in pristine condition.
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Rat Rod
A new creation built with junk, old or discarded parts, is a Rat Rod. Rat Rods are one of a kind creation intentionally given an unfinished appearance showing rust, and lackluster painting. Grumpy’s Rat Rod began with a 1988 Volvo white fire truck, 1941 Dodge truck cab, and many more assorted parts. As of early 2022, Grumpy’s Rat Rod has drove to car shows or events in 25 states. Learn more at https://grumpysratrod.com/what-is-a-rat-rod/.
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Before TV
The Bel Air was manufactured by Chevrolet from 1950 to 1975. Originally a two-door hardtop to attract World War II veterans who saw the classy foreign spots cars while serving overseas. The Bel Air was named after a wealthy neighborhood of Los Angeles built by Alphonso Bell in 1922. The first Bel Air automobile cost $1,741. The 1956 model with a V8 engine sold for $2,443. In 2022 antique car collectors paid from $16,400 to $246,750, depending on condition, to own a 1956 Bel Air.
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Delivered Daily
The milkman’s home delivery began with industrialization as people left the farm for urban areas—no space for the family cow. At first, the milkman poured from a bulk container into whatever families used to store milk. The first glass bottle for milk was patented in 1878. Although the bottle sped up milk delivery, without refrigeration daily delivery continued. By the end of the 1950s, the combination of refrigeration, automobile transportation and grocery stores ended the milkman’s daily visit.
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Not The Rock
In 1928, Plymouth was Chrysler’s answer to the low-priced auto market dominated by Ford and Chevrolet. Chrysler wanted an instantly recognizable brand name for the car. At the time most farmers were driving affordable Fords. During a meeting to find a brand name, Joe Frazer who later became president of General Motors, suggested the name Plymouth. Other executives did not want the car associated with a puritanical name. “Ever hear of Plymouth Binder Twine?" asked Frazer. Walter P. Chrysler replied, “Every farmer in America uses Plymouth Binder Twine. Let’s give them a name they’re familiar with.”
The Plymouth succeeded as a high-volume seller until the late 1990s. In 2001, the Plymouth brand and automobile was discontinued.NotTheRockAutomobileCarGary Rickettsgrickettsgricketts.comPhotography by Gary RickettsTransportationFine Art Photographyinterior designhttpsphotographybygaryricketts.comantiqueUniqueWall ArtvintageCapturing History Through Photography
Instead Of A Beaver
Beaver was one of the names suggested for the Ford sports car.
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