Every week, over the next 79 weeks, i will make a "Automobile flashback series" thread. Where, we will cover "that" year of the automobile. The good, the bad and the ugly. Interesting facts, outrageous opinions, and amazing feats will be posted.
Please keep all of these threads free from flaming, as it will be not be tolerated. I have been informed by a moderator, all flames will be deleted, and those users will be docked points.
I also want to let everyone know, if you have any questions at all, about the cars in these upcoming threads, do not be afraid to ask. We have lots of automotive knowledge here in the Car Lounge. These thread will be great, if we can get input (Questions/Answers) from everyone of you.
Without any further a do, i present you the year 1921...
(VH1 Jingle)I love the 20's.... I love the 20's.... I love the 20's!!!!!(VH1 Jingle)
Ever wondered what a "limo" looked like back in 1921?
1921 HEINE-VELOX V-12 LIMOUSINE
Quote »
Some Car Lounge mods/members look for everyone else’s faults because they have lost track of all their own. They see criticism where there is none, and their defense against recognizing their own self-criticism is to sermonize over the trivial habits of others. ....they think they have a responsibility to interfere in others' lives because only they know best.
As an icebreaker, IIRC, 1921 was the year that automotive finishes entered the "age of color", when DuPont Corporation chemists developed nitrocellulose laquer paint, which not only enabled carmakers to offer a whole spectrum of colors on their cars, but also ushered in the modern technique of applying paint to bodywork via aerosol-spraying. Prior to this, automobiles were laboriously finished using varnishes, applied by workers with brushes.
The new paints also were instrumental in advancing the efficiency of automobile assembly lines. Nitro-laquers were quick to dry, so much so that bodies and fenders were dry enough to be handled in a fraction of the time that had been needed just to allow the old varnish-finishes to dry to the touch. It was a major advancement.
Please read my first published article in the February 2010 Chevy Enthusiast magazine (page 37; "Zora Arkus-Duntov And Five Easy Corvettes"). Link: http://www.amosautomotive.com/ Thanx!
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
As an icebreaker, IIRC, 1921 was the year that automotive finishes entered the "age of color", when DuPont Corporation chemists developed nitrocellulose laquer paint, which not only enabled carmakers to offer a whole spectrum of colors on their cars, but also ushered in the modern technique of applying paint to bodywork via aerosol-spraying. Prior to this, automobiles were laboriously finished using varnishes, applied by workers with brushes.
The new paints also were instrumental in advancing the efficiency of automobile assembly lines. Nitro-laquers were quick to dry, so much so that bodies and fenders were dry enough to be handled in a fraction of the time that had been needed just to allow the old varnish-finishes to dry to the touch. It was a major advancement.
Now that is some great info vwlarry! Keep it coming.
Quote »
Some Car Lounge mods/members look for everyone else’s faults because they have lost track of all their own. They see criticism where there is none, and their defense against recognizing their own self-criticism is to sermonize over the trivial habits of others. ....they think they have a responsibility to interfere in others' lives because only they know best.
Thanx. As with any given year, there were "lasts" as well as firsts in the automobile world. I'm going from memory, since my reference library is still boxed-up and in storage from when we moved several months ago, so forgive me if the year is off, but I think I'm right.
In 1921, the last of the Stanley steam-powered automobiles were manufactured. I think that Abner Doble struggled on for a few more years with his steam cars, but this was the end-time for the "steamers".
...Which raises the question: Was there ever any active development or manufacture of steam-engined automobiles in Europe? To the best of my knowledge, no. This further belies the "European engineering adventurism vs. American conformism" stereotype, IMO. The older I get and the more I learn, the more obvious it becomes that, although the Europeans DO indeed have their pantheon of avant-garde and non-conformist innovators through automotive history, it is indeed the free-thinking engineers and designers of the United States who, in fact, vastly outnumber their European counterparts, decade-by-decade, especially during the early, formative years of automotive development.
Speaking of great, non-conformist engineers, Henry Leland, the "Master of Precision" who founded both Cadillac and Lincoln, presided over the production of the last of his Lincoln automobiles in 1921. Early in 1922, Henry Ford, at the behest of his son Edsel, purchased Lincoln Motor Car Company, lock, stock and barrel, for something like $2 million dollars.
Modified by vwlarry at 7:31 AM 2-1-2005
Please read my first published article in the February 2010 Chevy Enthusiast magazine (page 37; "Zora Arkus-Duntov And Five Easy Corvettes"). Link: http://www.amosautomotive.com/ Thanx!
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
...Which raises the question: Was there ever any active development or manufacture of steam-engined automobiles in Europe? To the best of my knowledge, no. This further belies the "European engineering adventurism vs. American conformism" stereotype, IMO. The older I get and the more I learn, the more obvious it becomes that, although the Europeans DO indeed have their pantheon of avant-garde and non-conformist innovators through automotive history, it is indeed the free-thinking engineers and designers of the United States who, in fact, vastly outnumber their European counterparts, decade-by-decade, especially during the early, formative years of automotive development.
As the majority of Car Loungers read this, all i can see on their faces is a gasp expression.
Seriously though, i agree 100%.
Couple things i did find on this subject....
"In 1769, Nicholas Joseph Cugnot, a French army captain built the first "automobile". Powered by a steam engine, it could achieve a speedy three miles per hour and was limited to 10 to 15 minute jaunts before it had to stop and build up more steam. The year 1897 brought the automotive age to the United States with the invention of the Stanley Steamer. During this time period, the only viable engine technology was steam propulsion."
Some more interesting facts...
"The number of automakers dropped from 108 in 1923, to 44 in 1927 as the Big Three's market presence increased at an alarming rate. By 1935, General Motors was producing 35 percent of all of the world's cars. Then, in 1929 the Great Depression hit. Ironically, it is very likely that the domination of these three companies is what allowed the American automobile industry to survive. The Great Depression put many small automakers out of business. By 1939, The Big Three's market share was 90 percent of all cars sold in America. Despite the wounded economy of the 1930s, an average of 3.5 million cars were sold annually between 1935 and 1941. Roads sprouted up all over the United States. In 1921, there were only 387,000 miles of roadway suitable for cars.
During this time period, Europe's auto industry was struggling. The United States produced more cars than all other countries combined. Europe lacked the highway infrastructure and the cost to import cars from America made owning a car almost prohibitive during the Depression."
Quote »
Some Car Lounge mods/members look for everyone else’s faults because they have lost track of all their own. They see criticism where there is none, and their defense against recognizing their own self-criticism is to sermonize over the trivial habits of others. ....they think they have a responsibility to interfere in others' lives because only they know best.
Automobile ownership was an experience that only the wealthy in Europe were able to experience during the first three or so decades of the automobile's ascent to importance. While Americans, especially during the expansionist period of the twenties, were turning the family car into a rather commonplace item, Europeans in general were still travelling by train, bicycle, and streetcars, etc. The car, as a transportation device for the masses, was years away.
When one studies the history of Europe's great automakers during the first thirty years of the 20th century, one reads almost exclusively of the grand marques, that catered to the elite and royalty, while on the other side of the Atlantic, one learns of the great carmakers that catered to the common man. Even the great luxury makers of the USA during this period were not that far removed from the everyday in many cases. Pierce-Arrow, Duesenberg, Peerless, and Packard were just about the only significant "elite" American carmakers at that time. Cadillac was not the dominant player it would later become, and was a maker of luxurious and beautifully crafted automobiles, but Alfred Sloan's General Motors culture at the time dictated that Cadillac be as "mass production" a maker as possible.
Even by the 1930's, when some European countries were beginning to develop economies that could accomodate mass-produced automobiles that were affordable for working people, it was largely the American makers, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors, with their British, German, and French subsidiaries, that took the larger share of this emerging market. That is, until the German Reich regime upset the American maker's applecarts by either suppressing and then nationalizing (Ford), or simply nationalizing (Opel) their European facilities. But this is getting WAY ahead of things.
This, remember, is 1921. Twenty-three skidoo, Fatty Arbuckle, the bee's knees, and all that.
Modified by vwlarry at 12:04 PM 2-1-2005
Please read my first published article in the February 2010 Chevy Enthusiast magazine (page 37; "Zora Arkus-Duntov And Five Easy Corvettes"). Link: http://www.amosautomotive.com/ Thanx!
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
Gas-Electric hybrid in 1921 - ahead of thier time?
"This 1921 Owen Magnetic Model 60 Touring uses a gasoline engine to run a generator that supplies electric power to motors mounted in each of the rear wheels."
Actually, Ferdinand Porsche designed and built a gas-electric hybrid four wheel drive car in 1908, when he was only 25 years old.
Great and interesting automotive history in the Car Lounge Flashback Series.
A 1921 Rumpler on test in the VW wind tunnel. It recorded a sensational CD value of 0.28!
Rumpler "teardrop" car, 1921 The aeroplane designer Edmund Rumpler was the first to shape a series limousine according to aerodynamic principles. The shape was similar to a falling drop of water; its favourable drag coefficient cD=0,28 was equalled again only in the most recent car types
Edmund Rumpler (1872-1940)
"Born in Vienna.
An aeronautical engineer, he designed a fighter plane, the “Taube” in the first world war.
In 1921 the Tropfen Auto was presented in a show in Berlin.
Based on research made by Rumpler for his airplanes, the Tropfen body was very aerodynamic and was powered by a mid-engine placed slightly in front of the rear wheels.
The Tropfen Auto was a sensation.
Benz was involved with the new concept and tried, without success, to commercialize the Tropfen Auto. Benz developped also a race car based on the same ideas in 1923.
Edmund Rumpler returned to aviation. He was Jewish and was arrested by the Nazis. Goering, who was an aviator, remembered the planes designed by Rumpler and protected him."
Quote »
Some Car Lounge mods/members look for everyone else’s faults because they have lost track of all their own. They see criticism where there is none, and their defense against recognizing their own self-criticism is to sermonize over the trivial habits of others. ....they think they have a responsibility to interfere in others' lives because only they know best.
Actually the gasoline/electric hybrid Lohner-Porsche automobile was first produced in the year 1900. I've never heard if any examples of this machine still exist. 'Shame if they don't.
Please read my first published article in the February 2010 Chevy Enthusiast magazine (page 37; "Zora Arkus-Duntov And Five Easy Corvettes"). Link: http://www.amosautomotive.com/ Thanx!
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
Your right, it was 1900. They say our short term memory is the first to go..
By the way, did you know the Lohner-Porsche was released in 1900?
Quote »
...After five years in Vienna, he landed his first job in the automotive field with Jacob Lohner. In 1900, the 'System Lohner-Porsche' electric carriage made its debut at the World's Fair in Paris. This automobile set several Austrian land speed records. It did over 35 mph. Porsche then harnessed Daimler's and Panhard's internal combustion engines to power wheel-mounted electric motors in the new "System Mixt." More speed records were won, acclaim followed, and in 1905 Porsche won the Poetting Prize as Austria's outstanding automotive designer. He was now a famous automotive engineer in Europe. (From AutoHistory.org)
Great and interesting automotive history in the Car Lounge Flashback Series.
Harry Miller was the Michelangelo of metal. If you ever are fortunate enough to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, PLEASE give yourself at least half-an-hour to linger at the Miller exhibit.
Those cars will blow you away.. Gahrun-damned-teed.
Please read my first published article in the February 2010 Chevy Enthusiast magazine (page 37; "Zora Arkus-Duntov And Five Easy Corvettes"). Link: http://www.amosautomotive.com/ Thanx!
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” - St. Thomas Aquinas
It turns out that 1921 was also a very good year for [alain decadenet] the Bugatti Type 13 Voiturette. [/alain decadenet]
Quote, originally posted by supercars.net »
By 1920 Bugatti had established itself as an independant manufacturer and a dominant force in voiturette racing. The Type-13 was Bugattis short wheelbase chassis that really started the Bugatti maque. It featured many different engines, the first of which was a 1.3-litre engine, having two valves per cylinder.
In 1914, the engine powering the Type 13 and similar long wheelbase Type 22 and Type 23 was changed. The new engine featured an entirely new valvetrain featuring four valves per cylinder. This made the Type 13 one of the the first production road/race cars to feature four valves per cylinder.
With plain bearings, the 16-valve engine could freely rev up to 3000 rpms. Many drivers of the period raced the car up to 6000 rpm. Such an astonishing engine, combined with good roadhandling made the type 13 desirable racing package.
Due to its valvetrain, the Type 13 Voiturette started a decade of racing success for the Bugatti marque in 1920. One highlight of the car's race season included a 1-2-3-4 finish Voiturette Grand Prix at Brescia in 1921.
16-valve Bugattis, including the types 13, 22 and 23 were produced until they were replaced in 1922 by the Type 30. Inspired by the Type 28 Concept, the new Type 30 introduced an all new Inline-8, having 3 valves per cylinder.
We are happy, it's not logic. Citrus when we dance. OCLV 4 LIFE
In 1921, Maybach's son Karl began to produce technologically advance luxury cars in Friedrichshafen. His company's flagship model was the Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, the largest German luxury car of the 1930s. The bodies for these Maybach cars were made by renowned coachwork specialists based on individual customer specifications, so that every single Maybach was a one-off model to suit its owner's style. No two cars were alike.
This unparalleled focus on individuality, exclusivity and stylish elegance will again come alive with the new Maybach, this time with all of the no-holds-barred, industry-leading technology from Mercedes-Benz."
Quote »
Some Car Lounge mods/members look for everyone else’s faults because they have lost track of all their own. They see criticism where there is none, and their defense against recognizing their own self-criticism is to sermonize over the trivial habits of others. ....they think they have a responsibility to interfere in others' lives because only they know best.
For advertising information Click Here
) roads.
OCLV 4 LIFE
