 
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 256
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 2:00 pm: |    |
Does anyone know what kind of car this is and where the factory was located. It's strange with that swastika on the hood.
Shorpy Photos |
Hornwrecker
Member
Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 2069
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 4:13 pm: | |
The swastika was the emblem for Krit, who was located on E Grand Blvd next to Packard, but I don't think they ever made anything the size of that bus.
Could be an emblem for the bus company, but that's just a guess.
There were quite a few truck/bus makers in Detroit at that time, and any truck chassis could be converted into that bus. I can tell you that it isn't a Packard. Could be a Grabowsky, Federal, Commerce, etc...?
Any truck experts out there? |
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 261
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 5:29 pm: | |
I thought I knew a lot about trucks but this swastika emblem one stumped me. I figured somebody on here might know. |
56packman
Member
Username: 56packman
Post Number: 2455
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 6:07 pm: | |
Alright, I have the experts on it!
expect an answer soon.
expect several, some of which will disagree.
But we'll get there somehow. |
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 274
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 9:40 am: | |
God, I hate to do this again but I ran across this great car and trailer yesterday. I thought it was a Buick but that fin in the middle of the trunk and it being a two seater has thrown me. So, I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of car this is?
|
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 3060
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 8:50 pm: | |
Third Annual Automotive Authors Day
Sponsored by The Friends of the National Automotive History Collection
Saturday, November 22, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Detroit Public Library, Rose and Robert Skillman Branch, 121 Gratiot Avenue (in downtown Detroit behind the Compuware Headquarters)
Car collectors, restorers, historians and motor heads of all ages are invited to attend the Detroit area’s largest gathering of automotive history writers. Come meet over 20 book authors who write about the world of cars, trucks, ships and airplanes. The Authors will assemble in the Rose Skillman Gallery, home of the National Automotive History Collection. They will talk with you about your interests and sign your copy of their books. Books will also be available for purchase.
This event is free and open to the public; street parking and area lots are recommended. For a complete listing of participating authors, please visit the NAHC website at www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/n ahc. Other inquiries may be directed to the Friends Office at 313.833.4048 or friends@detroit.lib.mi.us.
Participating Authors
Dimitry Anastakis, Car Nation: An Illustrated History of Canada's Transformation Behind the Wheels
John Bluth, Atlas of Historic Detroit Auto Factories
Lindsay Brooke, Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels
Robert Casey, History of the Model T Ford
John Clor, The Mustang Dynasty
Mike Davis, The Arsenal of Democracy
Robert Gabrick, Diamond T Trucks
Patrick Foster, Studebaker: the Complete History and books on American Motors and Jeep
Charles Hyde, Chrysler History, Dodge Brothers History
Paul Ingrassia, Twelve Cars that Changed the World
John L. Jacobus, Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild
Bill Jepsen, Iowa's Automobiles
David Lewis, Public Image of Henry Ford and other Ford books
Walt McCall, Encyclopedia of American Fire Engine Manufacturers and books on Ahrens-Fox and American-LaFrance fire engines
Shannon McDonald, The Parking Garage
Bill Pelfrey, Billy Durant and Alfred Sloan
Sinclair Powell, Franklin Automobile
Tracy Powell, Harley Earle and GM Styling
David Rockwell, Dodge Racing
Rex Roy, Motor City Dream Garages
Jim Wagner, GMC Trucks
http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/e vents/AutoAuthors.htm |
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 395
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 2:09 am: | |
Never knew this: "Fords were being assembled in Houston in the 1920's, too. The Ford Company opened an assembly plant in Harrisburg in 1914 and it operated until 1942. The building the assembly plant occupied is [was] now part of the Maxwell House Coffee Plant"
|
Jgavrile
Member
Username: Jgavrile
Post Number: 209
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 2:03 pm: | |
there were Ford assembly plants all over the country at one time. They bailed out as areas didn't respond,sales wise to the plant in that location. it was easier to ship the car by rail than to keep the plant open for a given locality |
Aarne_frobom
Member
Username: Aarne_frobom
Post Number: 77
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 2:58 pm: | |
Just a note of thanks relative to a weird coincidence. Just yesterday something made me recall the Barney Pollard collection, and I thought someone on this board would know where it had been stored. Today I called up this thread, and . . . When I got involved with restoring a steam locomotive in 1970, a friend told me about sneaking into a warehouse in Detroit as a kid (purely for sightseeing) and finding antique cars stored on end, and steam locomotives. Years later when he learned how significant the locomotives were, he couldn't relocate it. From my reading about old cars I knew it was the Pollard collection, but I always wondered what it had been like. Now I know.
Incidentally, the Ford assembly plant at Fargo, ND, was still standing a few years ago, close to that city's downtown, and in good shape. These regional Ford plants were readily identifiable as a Detroit-related structure. |
Big_baby_jebus
Member
Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 5
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 1:38 pm: | |
I have found this thread fascinating over the past couple of years. I have never posted here before, but now I have a curiosity I am hoping to find an answer to.
On another thread on this board is a link to http://www.shorpy.com/ where a 1942 photo shows a large black factory located next to the Grand Trunk Warehouse. It once stood at the corner of Ferry and Russell where the garbage incinerator now stands. I am wondering if this was a Fisher Body or something else.
http://i100.photobucket.com/al bums/m13/kdog0420/MysteryFacto ry.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/al bums/m13/kdog0420/1956overhead .jpg |
Hornwrecker
Member
Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 2128
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 3:44 pm: | |
I believe that was the last vestiges of the railroad car building industry in Detroit. Originally it was the Russell Wheel foundry or Detroit Car Wheel foundry, and later the American Car & Foundry Co, which was formed from a merger that included the Michigan-Peninsular Car Co., which was formed from most of the Detroit area RR car builders.
The plants in Detroit are designated as the Peninsular Department, Michigan Department and Forge Department. In 1884, the Peninsular Car Company purchased twenty-five acres of land at Ferry and Russell Streets, erected buildings and installed first-class equipment. Then it was only necessary to arrange for the construction of wooden cars. When the demand for steel cars made it apparent that eventually the wooden car would give way to the car of steel construction, large shops were erected at this plant and equipped with machinery adapted to this work. The buildings alone now cover about twenty acres and the total acreage occupied is fifty-two. There are also foundries at this plant in which are made the wheels and castings for cars turned out.
www.michiganrailroads.com
(There is/was a facility building auto racks along the Norfolk Southern tracks just south of Detroit; not sure if it is still in operation.)
(Message edited by Hornwrecker on October 14, 2008)
(Message edited by Hornwrecker on October 14, 2008) |
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 456
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 12:34 pm: | |
Does anyone know what kind of car this is? The photo is from 1910 in Cadillac Square.
|
Eastsideal
Member
Username: Eastsideal
Post Number: 15
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 7:13 pm: | |
Isn't that a Baker Electric? |
Mortalman
Member
Username: Mortalman
Post Number: 457
Registered: 03-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 8:02 pm: | |
You are absolutely right, Eastsideal. Here's Jay Leno in his 1909 Model. After you IDed it I Googled and found this.
|
Sludgedaddy
Member
Username: Sludgedaddy
Post Number: 196
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 8:55 pm: | |
Several electric vehicles were manufactured prior to the 1930's. One of the most prominent was the Detroit Electric, considered to be a Ladies or a Doctor's auto, since no hand cranking was needed to start it. Electrics were considered to be the ideal town car, but with the Modern Age of the 1920's, speed was to become the rage.
A few years back the Port Austin area hosted a meeting and rally of vintage electrics. I was told the club prefered rural areas that were mostly flat.
The above pictured auto with the swastika is a Stutz Stormtrooper perfectly suited for excursions to the local beer hall. If it wouldn't start you could always give it a little putsch! |
Big_baby_jebus
Member
Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 14
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 9:31 am: | |
So, anybody notice what the scrappers have done at the Packard? They have torched the lower level of the 2 story bridge over Bellevue. I think this was more of an attempt to stop traffic in the alley to conceal their real work. Now there is a huge pile of bricks across the alley. The city has placed a couple barricades, good job Detroit.
check out my pics...
http://i100.photobucket.com/al bums/m13/kdog0420/DSCF9043-1.j pg
http://i100.photobucket.com/al bums/m13/kdog0420/DSCF9043.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/al bums/m13/kdog0420/DSCF9044.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/al bums/m13/kdog0420/DSCF9045.jpg
More Packard Photos at:
http://onlyndetroit.com/html/d ecay/ond-0012motorcityunderwor ld.htm
Also on another note, the EPA is cleaning up the Fisher Body. A friend spoke to the security that are now posted, and I guess the EPA plans to be there through the end of the year. There are rumors that a movie is going to be shot there dealing with early 1900's auto strikes in Detroit.
http://onlyndetroit.com/ |
Gbad
Member
Username: Gbad
Post Number: 3
Registered: 08-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 12:53 am: | |
Sludgedaddy:
While in Reno I visited the Harrahs Automotive
Museum and came across a Detroit Electric Car
that has been restored and is bright red.From
what I could see,the battery's or some facsimile
of them are in place.I had always wanted to see
the car in the flesh and was glad I went to the
museum instead of killing time in the casinos.
This was early Oct.,2008. |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 3090
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 12:34 pm: | |
Just a reminder.....
Third Annual Automotive Authors Day
Sponsored by The Friends of the National Automotive History Collection
Saturday, November 22, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Detroit Public Library, Rose and Robert Skillman Branch, 121 Gratiot Avenue (in downtown Detroit behind the Compuware Headquarters)
Car collectors, restorers, historians and motor heads of all ages are invited to attend the Detroit area’s largest gathering of automotive history writers. Come meet over 20 book authors who write about the world of cars, trucks, ships and airplanes. The Authors will assemble in the Rose Skillman Gallery, home of the National Automotive History Collection. They will talk with you about your interests and sign your copy of their books. Books will also be available for purchase.
This event is free and open to the public; street parking and area lots are recommended.
Participating Authors
Dimitry Anastakis, Car Nation: An Illustrated History of Canada's Transformation Behind the Wheels
John Bluth, Atlas of Historic Detroit Auto Factories
Lindsay Brooke, Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels
Robert Casey, History of the Model T Ford
John Clor, The Mustang Dynasty
Mike Davis, The Arsenal of Democracy
Robert Gabrick, Diamond T Trucks
Patrick Foster, Studebaker: the Complete History and books on American Motors and Jeep
Charles Hyde, Chrysler History, Dodge Brothers History
Paul Ingrassia, Twelve Cars that Changed the World
John L. Jacobus, Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild
Bill Jepsen, Iowa's Automobiles
David Lewis, Public Image of Henry Ford and other Ford books
Walt McCall, Encyclopedia of American Fire Engine Manufacturers and books on Ahrens-Fox and American-LaFrance fire engines
Shannon McDonald, The Parking Garage
Bill Pelfrey, Billy Durant and Alfred Sloan
Sinclair Powell, Franklin Automobile
Tracy Powell, Harley Earle and GM Styling
David Rockwell, Dodge Racing
Rex Roy, Motor City Dream Garages
Jim Wagner, GMC Trucks
http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/e vents/AutoAuthors.htm |
Sven1977
Member
Username: Sven1977
Post Number: 217
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 3:41 pm: | |
Where can one buy the John Bluth book? Did anyone mention this thread? |
Mashugruskie
Member
Username: Mashugruskie
Post Number: 270
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 3:49 pm: | |
Regarding the swastika; there is an old Philadelphia schoolhouse that has a tiled entryway that had a swastika inlaid there. From what I've found, it was an indian symbol but I also have a school book that I inherited from a Jewish cousin and they used to write the swastika in their books for good luck. This was in 1919 so obviously the image has a different meaning to Jews now. The school book I own is also from Philadelphia, btw. |
Stinger4me
Member
Username: Stinger4me
Post Number: 338
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 4:25 pm: | |
I have heard the "Indian" symbol had the wings doing in a different direction than the German swastika. I saw a spoon made the Indians and you might say the swastika was backwards. |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 2091
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 - 4:47 pm: | |
Sven,
Email me at dkosh <at> msn.com, and I'll put you in touch with John Bluth. The book is not yet published, but will be soon.
I chatted with John briefly about our Old Car Factories thread, and he is aware of it and DetroitYES, but has not been able to get registered for some reason.
He told me that his book covers, IIRC, only the first known manufacturing site for each car company. |
Gsgeorge
Member
Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 674
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 6:38 pm: | |
Big_baby_jesus, there's security at Fisher Body now? |
Big_baby_jebus
Member
Username: Big_baby_jebus
Post Number: 46
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, January 24, 2009 - 7:00 pm: | |
^^^^^
No, I believe they left a couple weeks back. |
Gbad
Member
Username: Gbad
Post Number: 4
Registered: 08-2008
| | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 7:48 pm: | |
Only a question like this would come from a bunch of guys in Ca.on a Friday wine session.
Would users/members of the forum have any data
that would indicate the following :
a.Peak automotive employment in Detroit area.
( I'm guessing it would be post WWII )
b. Any ideas as to how many millions of
square feet of auto manufacturing plants were
in Detroit area during the peak ?
I know these are broad based questions
however I am very impressed by the knowledge
that many of the posters have relating to the
history of the industry. Thanks |
Sven1977
Member
Username: Sven1977
Post Number: 191
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 5:04 pm: | |
Whenever the Russell industrial Complex is mentioned in press articles or even on the board posted at the retail entrance,nothing is ever said about it once being the home of Anderson Electric and Detroit Electric automobiles. Does anyone know why? I know Anderson used to be where the tracks curve and Murray was located alongside Russell. |
Mazak
Member
Username: Mazak
Post Number: 10
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 2:48 pm: | |
Hornwrecker,
I seen the photo of the Wadsworth Manufacturing Co. building (Detroit Engine Works,Detroit Boat Co.,Michigan Steel Boat Co.) that you tagged on the Michigan Library site. Just wanted to say thank you this really made my day. I guess that pretty much proves that they built boats,marine and stationary farm engines and car bodies all in the same factories. |
Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 2205
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 5:04 pm: | |
Sad news to pass along....
John Bluth, who had been working on the Atlas of Detroit's Pioneer Auto Assembly Plants, passed away on February 19.
He had been involved with the automotive industry here in Detroit from several angles. In his later years, he was a trustee with the national Auto History Collection and on the NAHC Automotive Authors Book Fair Committee. He was a member of the Society of Auto Historians, the SAE member history committee, the Classic Car Club and the MG, Hudson and Fiat Motor Car clubs.
John also has two books in print: The history of Stinson Airplance Co. and the History of the Detroit Athletic Club where he was the former editor and publisher of the DAC News magazine.
Full obituary at: http://obit.desmondfuneralhome .com/obitdisplay.html?id=63842 4&listing=Current |
Mazak
Member
Username: Mazak
Post Number: 11
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 11:51 am: | |
I did not know of Mr Bluth, but I am sorry to hear that someone with so much knowledge has passed. My prayers for his family. |
Mazak
Member
Username: Mazak
Post Number: 12
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 12:02 pm: | |
Can someone tell me if there is a easy way to cross reference old addresses before 1921 in Detroit, Michigan to the new address of the present? Example, I have a 1915 Detroit address of (240 East Jefferson Ave.) what would the address be now?
(Message edited by mazak on March 13, 2009)
(Message edited by mazak on March 13, 2009) |
Mikem
Member
Username: Mikem
Post Number: 1919
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 10:12 am: | |
You need to find a 1921 city directory. An abbreviated version of one I have lists the new addresses at street corners only. 240 E Jefferson fell between Randolph and Brush, the corner of Randolph being 224 and Brush 264. The new address numbers for those corners are 300 and 400. |
Sven1977
Member
Username: Sven1977
Post Number: 192
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009 - 11:52 am: | |
I was out updating some of my photos on Sunday. I'm glad we started this thread when we did. Buildings are being torn down and sites are getting cleaned up. The Federal Mogul building on Shoemaker is now rubble except for the smokestacks. Why do smokestacks seem to avoid the wrecking ball? Packard is getting worse. Beaufait and Bellevue seem much nicer to drive down than I remember just a few years ago. A lot less trash and junk piles. |
Sven1977
Member
Username: Sven1977
Post Number: 193
Registered: 04-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 12:23 pm: | |
Someone mentioned on another thread that 1400 Oakman used to be a Massey Ferguson factory. It looks like there are a number of 1930's-1950's buildings on the road. I don't believe we have covered this street before. Does anyone have knowledge of what was produced along Oakman? |
Mikem
Member
Username: Mikem
Post Number: 1927
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 9:38 pm: | |
My 1940 directory lists 1400 Oakman as Vickers Hydraulics. AIW previously posted this early picture of Vickers, but I don't think we ever knew where this building was.
Looking at the building just east of 1400, I see it matches Andrew's photo. The roof line, the windows on each floor (minus the awnings) and the door locations make me think this is it:
1350 Oakman and 1200 Oakman were listed as the Ex-Cell-O Tool Company. During the war I think they moved to (or expanded) by building the large building at Hamilton and Oakman that Helm now occupies . |
Mike32
Member
Username: Mike32
Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 3:00 pm: | |
I attended Walled Lake Jr. High in 1980-81. It used to serve as Walled Lake High School many years before that and there was indeed a swastika inlaid in the tile right at the front door in the entryway (saw it with my own 2 eyes!). It was covered up by a removable rug back then and has since been removed. It was explained to us as students that pre-WW2 it served as a Christian symbol. |
Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw
Post Number: 1897
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 7:02 pm: | |
MikeM - Good eye... I think you've nailed the Vickers Plant. |
New threads cannot be started on this page. The threads above are previous posts made to this thread.