Pictures of the Day 9/20/09 and Photo Blog- Street Rods in Essex

[MikeF9]

September 20, 2009
Pictures of the Day



Sure signs of fall. Mums and pumpkins

PHOTO BLOG-STREET RODS IN ESSEX

Had to do a couple of errands in Essex late Saturday afternoon, and the street rods were everywhere. All pictures, except the red car in the parking lot, were taken through the windsheild of Margie's VW. I think one of these years, she might want to go to the expo. She was oohing and awwing at the cars as they passed by.
This might come from watching Top Gear on BBC America.




If you change this picture to black and white, it would look like a shot from the '50s, but I can't find that tool on my computer.

[Henry]

Here you are in Grayscale Mike - Dorothy King used to have a 1939 Buick when she was teaching on Fairfield Ridge.  It was what they used to call a business coupe with a little narrow seat for a back seat.  I remember it had coil springs in the front.  Most cars at that time still had leaf springs in the front.  I thought what a beautiful riding car.

[MikeF9]

Thank you, Henry!
The second one really looks like a shot from days gone by.
Thank you again.

[Henry]

Mike, you got me rolling on this 1939 Buick.  The 850 Century convertible coupes built for 1939 cost about $1,343.

This car had several rare options such as sidemount spares and "streamboards," which replaced standard running boards for a more streamlined look. Unfortunately, streamboards were delicate and few have survived. A much more popular option was the heater, which was mounted under the dash, near the passenger's feet.

Buick had several firsts in 1939. The most significant was the industry's first standard turn-signal lights. Unlike modern turn signals, these were not incorporated into the taillights, but were part of the trunk medallion. There were no directional lights for the front.  Buick also offered the first pushbutton radio tuning that year.  I believe it was an AM Radio only. New for Buick (but not the industry) was a column shifter that left the front floor unobstructed. The convertible coupe lost its rumble seat and replaced it with interior opera seats behind the front seat.

I believe they called it a business coupe, or at least that is what I heard it called the most because Salesmen could keep all their books behind the drivers seat on the floor or bench seat.

[Chris Santee]

Great job, you guys. Thanks.