The "An Advertisement For The Ages" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Looking at a few photographs of automobiles from the early 1910s.  Cars with names such as the Peugeot, Stutz, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, Locomobile and even the Cadillac which featured the Model 30 which was one of Cadillac's first long-production models which were manufactured well into WWI.  The car had an exceptionally long production life and was upgraded from year to year.  But, what made the Cadillac one of the best automobiles was their advertisements they placed in publications.  One advertisement was titled "THE PENALTY of LEADERSHIP" and  was placed in the Saturday Evening Post.  The advertisement ran first on January 2, 1915.  Whose idea it was to do this was a genius it seems.  It made Cadillac one of the best known cars at the time.  The advertisement read:

The Penalty of Leadership

“In every field of human endeavor, he that is first must perpetually live in the white glare of publicity. Whether the leadership be vested in a man or in a manufactured product, emulation and envy are ever at work. In art, in music, in industry, the reward and punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recognition; the punishment, fierce denial and detraction. When a man’s work becomes a standard for the whole world, it also becomes a target for the shafts of the envious few. If his work is mediocre, he will be left severely alone—if he achieves a masterpiece, it will set a million tongue a-wagging. Jealousy does not protrude its forked tongue at the artist who produces a commonplace painting. Whatsoever you write, or paint, or play, or sing, or build, no one will strive to surpass or to slander you unless your work be stamped with the seal of genius. Long, long after a great work or a good work has been done, those who are disappointed or envious, continue to cry out that it cannot be done. Spiteful little voices in the domain of art were raised against our own Whistler as a mountebank, long after the big would have acclaimed him its greatest artistic genius. Multitudes flocked to Bayreuth to worship at the musical shrine of Wagner, while the little group of those whom he dethroned and displaced argued angrily that he was no musician at all. The little world continued to protest that Fulton could never build a steamboat, while the big world flocked to the river banks to see his boat steam by. The leader is assailed because he is the leader, and the effort to equal him is merely added proof of that leadership. Failing to equal or excel, the follower seeks to depreciate and to destroy—but only confirms once more the superiority of that which he strives to supplant. There is nothing new in this. It is as old as the world and as old as human passions—envy, fear, greed, ambition, and the desire to surpass. And it all avails nothing. If the leader truly leads, he remains—the leader. Master-poet, master-painter, master-workman, each in his turn is assailed, and each holds his laurels through the ages. That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the clamor of denial. That which deserves to live—lives.”

The copy didn't mention Cadillac by name, or the V-8, or automobiles.  The advertisement ran one time with no photo or illustration and wide margins of white space around it.  It appeared in the Saturday Evening Post on January 2, 1915.  It was the work of a genius.  When it was found it was an ad from Cadillac, Cadillac was swamped with requests for reprints and Cadillac Salesmen carried copies to give away to prospects.  Sales exploded.   Salesmen asked people to test drive a new Cadillac and "May the Best Car Win!"  Can you think of any other car advertisement in the past couple of years that would have had the same impression as this advertisement did?  For its time...it will forever be known as the greatest advertisement of it's era.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "My Favorite Collectibles: Part III - A Calendar For Mother" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sometime in the early 2000's and I had just returned from a trip to a few of the antique stores near Adamstown, Pennsylvania known as Renninger's Antique and Collectors Market and Stoudt's Black Angus Antique Mall.  This area of Pennsylvania is known for their high quality antiques and it is so interesting to see what others have decided to discard over the years.  My "big" find today was a 1922 calendar that I gave to my mother since it was the year of her birth.  Only problem was that it carried drawings of automobiles from that era.  When she and my father died, I sort of inherited just about everything that my brother didn't have an interest in at the time.  The calendar was special to me since I had bought it for her years before her death.  As I leafed through the pages of cars it amazed me that there were several that I hadn't even heard of before.  The first page from the calendar will show you the design of the calendar, but the photographs that follow will show you all the automobiles that were featured in the calendar.  See how many you can remember that were in production in 1922. It was a another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Click on images to enlarge them.

The car featured on this month is the Auburn.   It was  produced in Auburn, Indiana and this car was a four-passenger sport model, selling fully-equipped at $2,195, f.o.b. the factory.  Offered as standard equipment are shock absorbers, a nickel-plated radiator shell, bar filler cap with Motometer, cowl ventilator, individual fenders, polished aluminum steps, trunks with nickeled trimmings on each side of the car, barrel-type headlamps and a parking light on the left rear fender.

FEBRUARY
The Rauch & Lang was an electric vehicle made by Each & Lang, Inc. of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts.  It claims to be an electric sedan that is a radically different electric automobile.  The company also claims more interest on the part of the  public this year than ever before inter history.

MARCH
This new and improved Haynes 75 two-passenger Speedster is equipped with a six cylinder, 75 horsepower engine of Haynes' own design.  Individual steps and fenders and two extra wire wheels are standard equipment.  Wind deflectors, rear vision mirrors, windshield cleaners, exterior side cowl lights and searchlight-type head lamps are also furnished at no additional cost.  Tests show the car is capable of an 80 miles per hour top speed.

APRIL
The Essex coach is a product of the Hudson Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan and is expected to be a trend-setter, offering a popularly-price car to the motoring public.  This is the first coach offered under the Essex banner and it is offered at a selling price of $1,345, just $250 more than the touring car model.

MAY
Although there is good reasons for buying a car from the more popular, established manufacturers, there are many of these buyers who would aldodlike their off-the-showroom-floor models to have a little extra flair.  For these buyers, the Automotive Body Company of Chicago, Illinois offers this racing body to transform their Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Maxwell, Saxon or overland into a lightweight racing model ready to do battle on the track. 

JUNE
Now in its second year of manufacture, Earl Motors, Inc., of Jackson Michigan offers this Earl touring model for $1,285.  Its low graceful lines are, in the words of its builders, designed to appeal to those who take an honest pride in their belongings, who seek to rise above the commonplace in their homes their dress and their cars. 

JULY
From Teledo, Ohio, the Willys-Overland Company offers this four-door sedan at a price of $895 for the 1922 model year.  The company claims this to be the easiest riding, longest-serving, most economical and most popular of the 800,000 Overlands produced since its beginning in 1903.  Equipment included electric starter, lights, horn, speedometer, and demountable wire wheels.  The economy claim is based on owner's records showing 25 miles per gallon.

AUGUST
This touring car, offered for $885, on one of four models offered for 1922 by the Maxwell Motor Company ofDetroit, Michigan.  The car boasts unusually long springs which it maker claims accounts for a degree of road comfort unusual for a car of its weight and size.  Standard equipment included disc steel wheels which are demountable at the rim and hub, leather upholstery, a new watertight windshield, electric horn and drum type head lamps. 

SEPTEMBER
A newcomer on the automotive scene for 1922 is this new Jewett, designed and built by the Paige-Detroit Morot Car Company.  This four=door sedan boasts all-metal coach work claimed to be free of rattles and squeaks.  Power is supplied by aa 50 horsepower six-cylinder engine.  Available through allPaige dealers, the sedan sells for $1,395.  

OCTOBER
The Stewart Motor Corporation is seeking to expand its list of dealers in 1922, offering franchises to established dealers of other vehicles.  Leading their line is the stake-bodied "Utility Wagon" which falls in the same capacity range as more than 60% of all the trucks being sold today to they growing commercial market.   

NOVEMBER
The Impressively-named Southern Motor manufacturing Association, Limited, of Houston, Texas, announces for 1922 this roadster model, latest in the line of Ranger automobiles.  Powered by the four-cylinder Ranger-Supreme engine which features a 3 3/8" bore and a 5" stroke, this model offers ample seating room and luggage storage.  The roadster bodies mounted on the same 116 inch wheelbase chases as their touring model and sells for $1,595.

DECEMBER
Last year, W.C. Durant left General Motors, having been replaced as president by Pierre S. DuPont in 1920, to form his own company in Flint Michigan.  In this, the Durant Motor Company's first year of production, the firm is making a bid for the low-price market, offering this Star touring car for the reasonable price of $348.  

The "A Tall Guy In A Neat Car" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Searching the web for nothing in particular when I came across a photo of a young fellow sitting in an old car with fire passengers and a dapper young guy holding onto the front headlight while standing along the roadway.  Not sure what key I may have struck on the keyboard of my MacBook Air, but the photograph was really neat.  It was part of a story I found on "The Old Motor" website which is an entertaining and informative vintage automobile internet magazine.  Was actually searching for a page about the Maserati automobile which my son, Tad, told me he has a chance to buy.  Neat car, but the old 1903-1906 Rambler two-cylinder five passenger Surrey pictured on "The Old Motor" website was almost as neat.  The Rambler was a popular early car built by Thomas B. Jeffrey.  The chassis had one of the first overhead valve four-cylinder units to be made by the company.  

George Russel Kersey with his Rambler and family.

The steering column may seem to be made a bit higher for the size of the driver, but it evidently is standard size for all the Ramblers.  I began to read the short story printed next to the old black and white photograph and found the guy sitting behind the very large steering wheel on the right-hand side of the car was a fellow from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  His name was George Russel Kersey and he had quite a history about him.  At the age of 13 he was said to have been the tallest boy in the United States at the time.  He was 7-feet tall!  In his youth he was a drum major in a high school marching band and later was the tall man in a traveling circus run by Adam Forbach.  He eventually decided to take up the profession in which his dad worked, dentistry.  After years of schooling he became a dentist in Elizabethtown which is about a 20 minute drive from Lancaster, PA.  Being he was now a professional with a well-respected occupation, he felt he should drive an automobile, or "horseless carriage."  He purchased the automobile pictured in the photograph I have enclosed with my story.  

Another neat Rambler from the same time period.

The story I was reading said it appears to be a 1906 Rambler, but after reading a bit more on other web- sites, it may really be a 1903.  I'm not sure what the difference may be, but the second site pointed out a few differences.  Hey. I would take either one of them.  The photo in "The Old Motor" was taken by Mary Meszaros who happened to be at the spot at the right time.  She was Mr. Kersey's great granddaughter.  The others in the photograph were from the left: his sister, daughter and his wife Beda—to his right are, another daughter and son and his brother-in-law.  I love classic cars and was pleasantly surprised when I came upon this photograph.  The car shown in this story is rather unique, but I must admit that it isn't as neat as a Maserati!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  

The "Horseless Carriage Show In Lancaster, Pennsylvania" Story

It was an ordinary day.   Told my wife I'd be back in a bit and headed down the street to view the automobile show that was sponsored by Thorn Hill Vineyards store in the Foxshire Plaza along the Fruitville Pike in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The show featured a collection of classic beauties from members of the Horseless Carriage Club.  The owners of the cars traveled from 13 states to the event which is sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Club.  States represented in the show today were Washington, Oregon, California, Maine and Pennsylvania.  The owners of the Thorn Hill Vineyard had a 1923 Hupmobile and offered complimentary rides in the grand touring convertible.  To be a member of the Horseless Carriage Club, your automobile must be a gas, steam or electric motor vehicle built or manufactured prior to January 1, 1916.

The logo of the Horseless Carriage Club of America.

 So, all the cars in the show today are over 100 years old.  There were more than 30 cars that lined the parking lot of the Plaza and everyone was remark- able!  I did have my favorite, only because I knew the gentleman who owned it and it was the only truck in the display which had a Lancaster connection.  I walked to the Plaza about 1:00 PM and was disappointed that there were no cars on the parking lot, but as I turned to head home I heard the horn of the first car.  Heading north on Fruitville Pike, after a show in the morning hours at Landis Valley Farm Museum, was the line of cars that drew many looks and honking horns from passing motorists.  

A few of the over 30 cars in the Horseless Carriage show.

One by one they lined the parking lot until the last one arrived; a 1915 Ford panel truck owned by Tom Schell who lived about a block from me in Grandview Heights when we both lived in the area.  Tom has owned the truck for about 10 years and was responsible for the paint job that read "Gunzenhauser's Bread & Cakes" on the rear compartment with "Prince & Clay Sts., Lancaster, Pa." on the cab's doors.  The white tires were spotless and contrasted beautifully with the black wooden spokes and small center cap that read "Ford Made in USA".  The interior of the truck featured a black leather seat and oak paneling throughout the cab.  The interior was spotless and the lanterns on the cab contrasted nicely with the brass trim on the radiator.  Got to talk to Tom and he told me that most of the restoration of the truck was done before he purchased it, but he had the final painting of the truck done.  A few photographs of Tom's truck and a few cars follow.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

The 1923 Hupmobile taking a visitor on a ride around the parking lot.

The rear push-down window of the 1915 Ford truck and a
side lantern show the special touches Tom made to his truck. 

Sitting at the end on one of the rows of automobiles.

The white rubber tire with black spokes and brass hubcap.  Did you know that the main
ingredients in tires keep the tires white, not black.  Carbon black is almost always added to improve
 tire wear.  These tires were made with the carbon black added, thus they are a natural white.

Interior of the truck shows wooden panels with black leather seat.  Foot pedals have
a clutch and brake on the left and right with the gas pedal in the middle.

Rear view of the truck with the gold lettering, rear tail light on the left and wood trim.

Tom as he pulls into the parking lot of the Plaza.

Gil in his 1912 Buick. 

Head lights have an extra band of brass on them.  The wooden body shows in this photograph.

The metal gear on the wooden wheel is what makes the speedometer work.

The rear of a 1910 Chalmers Detroit sports a basket where a trunk would be in today' cars/

Beautiful interior on the Chalmers Detroit horseless carriage.

The grill tells the model of the automobile.  Pin-stripping on the fenders adds class.

A 1908 Ford Model "T" with exposed rear seat.  Perhaps the precursor to the rumble seat.

Better view of the rear seat and single lamp on the rear of the automobile.

The happy owners of the Model "T".

One of my favorites was this 1911 Locomobile.

The rear of the Locomobile.  The paint with pinstripping was remarkable.
You can see the single rear brass lantern inside the two spare tires.

The upholstery of the Locomobile was luxurious.

Side view of the Locomobile.  One of the largest cars in the show.

Another favorite was the 1909 Pierce Arrow.

The wheels had an extra layer of brass along the edge of the spoked wheel.

Rear view of the Pierce Arrow. 

Closer look at the interior of the Pierce Arrow.  Notice the name on the entrance to the
seating compartment.  Brass lantern on the side is very interesting. 

The logo and radiator of the 1916 Willys Overland made in Toledo, Ohio.
This automobile just made it under the date of being eligible for the club.

Front of the Willys Overland.

The "Do You Have A Spare?" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just lifted the cover from where my spare tire should be in the rear of my 2019 Honda CRV.  I had never checked that feature after we got the car about a half-year ago.  Yesterday I got magazine mailer from American Automobile Association and when I opened it I read the headline that said....."Spare Me".  Every few months AAA sends a mailing with automobile information as well as trips you can take through their travel agency.  After 38 years of being a member I still learn something with each mailing I receive.  As far as the "Spare Me" article is concerned, it was asking if I know if I have a spare tire in my car.  Seems that many automobile manufacturers no longer put a spare tire, not even one of the miniature tires that were introduced years ago, in the trunk or storage area of cars in order to lighten the car and in return get better gas milage.  Seems that those cars that no longer have a spare tire are creating a nuisance for their owners. Some are having to have their cars towed to a garage before they can have the flat fixed.  And, AAA is having to pay for the tow to the garage rather than to have to pay to just have the tire changed on site.  

Changing a tire.

Years ago I had a Mazda Protegé and that car had the small replace- ment tire so I could change the flat tire with the small tire and then replace my repaired tire later.  Do you know how to change a tire on your car?  20% of people driving a car don't!  And if you do, would you rather call for help, if you belong to a service such as AAA, and have them come and change it.  I don't mind changing the tire myself, but I'd prefer to have a full-sized tire as a spare so I don't have to worry about putting the repaired tire back on the car immediately, since the small spare tires are only supposed to be driven at a low speed.  If you don't have a spare you may have a repair kit that many manufactures include instead of a spare tire.  But, in 2015 AAA found that tire-inflator kits have limited functionality and cannot provide even a temporary fix for many tire-related problems, including sidewall damage or blowouts.  Plus, the kits can cost up to ten times more than a tire repair as well as having a shelf life of only four to eight years.  You buy a used car and that inflator kit may not work at all.  AAA urges all drivers to check their vehicle's equipment that comes with their car, especially the spare tire compartment.  Well, I lifted the cover from my spare tire compartment and there it was, a full sized new tire.  Only thing different that my regular tire was the fact that it was on a steel tire rim and not the really neat rims that came with the car.  At least I now know about my spare, but can still call AAA to come and change it if the weather is bad or I am dressed in my fancy-schmancy clothes.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "1931 Ford 'Model A' Tudor Sedan" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the streets of Stone Harbor, New Jersey when I noticed a car parked  at an angle along the curb.  Caught my eye instantly.  Walked around the car snapping photos with my iPhone and in a minute a few more gathered around this piece of motor history.  The Ford Model A was Ford Motor Company's second market success after its predecessor, the Model T.  The Model A was first produced in 1937.  Prices for the Model A ranged from $385 for a roadster to $1,400 for the top-of-the-line Town Car.  The engine was water cooled and provided 40 horsepower with a top speed of 65mph.  The 1930 and 1931 models  were available with a stainless steel radiator cowling and headlamp housings.  The Model A was the first Ford to use the standard set of driver controls with conventional clutch and brake pedals, throttle and gearshift.  It had a visual fuel guage, and the fuel flowed to the carburetor by gravity.  A rear-view mirror was optional.  The Model A was the first vehicle to have safety glass in the windshield.  As I stood next to the car I loved the exterior tri-color, whitewall tires, spoked wheels, adjustable windshield, simple dash and full-sized covered spare tire.  I spent a few minutes taking photos, but tough to do when the car was in a small parking space.  Check out the photographs I was able to take.  I did wait a few minutes, but never had the chance to meet the owner of this fantastic car.  I'm sure you will agree it is remarkable, even if you don't appreciate automobile history.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Front view of the 1931 Ford Model A. 

The white-walled tires with spoked wheels can be seen in this photo. 

Notice the windshield can be opened for ventilation and on
top of the windshield is a sun shield.  The rear-view mirror
is attached to the frame of the front door window. 

I can see from the plate that the car belongs to Pop and he lives in New Jersey.

The spare tire is a feature of artistic imagination with the white leather cover and
Ford logo. The rear bumper is split to allow easy access to the spare tire.

I love the tri-color shown here.  Running boards were always
a neat feature to me.  I believe the top had a type of canvas covering.

Very simple steering wheel.  You can see the gas, clutch and brake pedals
in this photograph.  Seats were cloth with stitching for artistic effect.