Westinghouse Mazda bulbs

Having grown up with the Mazda cars, when I came upon old ads for these bulbs, I wondered if there was a connection. Turns out there kind of is. GE picked the name as it was the highest level of spirit in the ancient Persian religion Zoroastrianism. Ahura Mazda apparently actually translates to Mighty Wisdom. 
The company licensed the name to other companies, including Westinghouse- above- as well as Toshiba who marketed the bulbs in Japan. No connection to Mazda automobiles except according to Wikipedia, the Mazda Automobile company says the name refers to the Goddess of Light. 

Sidecar Sunday

We used to make things in this country...

Canadian aircraft in formation, from the rear, an F86 Sabre, a CL41 with CF14 nose, and a CF104 Starfighter.

M10000 Railcar

1936 Patent drawings for the short-lived Union Pacific M10000. Previous post here

Cincinnati Tool 6" clamp #540

We've covered Cincinnati Tool in the past but when I found this much abused example, I figured it deserved its own post, even though it probably is past its useful lifespan. How does the thread get distorted before the much smaller crossbar?

Yet another vanished toolmaker.

Reliant Regal

Grumman Tracker

Larry Milberry, Aviation in Canada, McGraw-Hill Ryerson 1979

de Havilland Canada built 99 Grumman Tracker aircraft in the late fifties. The anti-submarine aircraft were transferred to land bases after the carrier Bonaventure was retired. A handful survived into the nineties, ending their life serving on fishery patrols.
 This 1962 photo was in Oshawa taken as the plane's wings were folding down. 

Vincent HRD, postwar

Mustangs in the mud

In the winter 1942-43 the Canadian military set up Mustang equipped squadrons at newly constructed Dunfold airfield in Surrey BC. Accomodations were sparse at the grass field, blister hangers provided a bit of protection from rain, while in order to get out of the mud, the aircraft were parked 3 at a time on concrete pads. I can't imagine there was much flying done till the ground dried in early summer.

Roger A Freeman; Mustang at War, Doubleday 1974

Steamer Juliette 1892-1925

Allie Ryan, Penobscot Bay Mount Desert and Eastport Steamboat Album, Down East Enterprises, 1972

The steamer Juliette posing with crew and passengers somewhere in Penobscot Bay, Maine. The little steamer was built at Bath in 1892 and plied the waters around Maine under the command of Captain Oscar Crockett and later the Eastern Steamboat company. She was sold to Florida interests in 1924 where she became a tender for a sand sucking dredge. In 1925 she  ran aground and sank in the Florida Keys.

John M. Richardson, Steamboat Lore of the Penobscot, Kennebec Journal Print Shop, 1941

Alongside Tilsons pier in Rockland Maine.

Mystery Monday; Wrench made in England. Updated.

A reader in the Netherlands sends these images of a "Made in England' wrench. The only other marking is this illegible mark that looks like a signature. Right side up or upside down... any guesses?

And we have an answer;
 Igor from Russia sends these images of a set of EnFo pliers from English Ford. Thanks, Much appreciated! 
Although we had Fordson Made in England tractors, I've never seen that logo before. 

International Harvester Scout concept, 1979

The International Scout had been a nice plain-box utility vehicle, though the Scout II was an improved and modernized development. The concept shown here was to become the next model. Nice enough sport utility vehicle appearance for the time, but to my mind, more Jeep influences showing than on previous models. 
There were apparently a couple of variations being tested but International Harvester decided in 1980 to get out of the business, concentrating instead on medium and large size trucks. 
This car is on display at the Auburn Cord Duesenber Museum in Auburn In.

Sidecar Sunday

Bessey 30 clamp

Although we've covered Bessey clamps in a previous post,Walter from Alabama sent in these images of this one he inherited that features an unusual set of hinged jaws. We can't find any info online about this device, apparently it works very well at straightening up and clamping a crooked joint. My guess is the "30" might refer to the capacity- 30 cm?- but this did not twig any hints with Google either.

KLG GT sparkplugs

Window sticker included!

Thanks, Fred!

MG Motor Sales, Winnipeg

Another vanished dealership...

Norton ES2, 1949

California Motor Bicycle, George Wyman

 Although Cannonball Baker made news in 1914 by crossing the continent in 11 days he was by no means the first. 
In 1903 George Wyman rode a 200cc California Motor bicycle from San Francisco to New York to be the first motor vehicle to make it across the continent. The road network was much less developed in those days so he followed railways for much of the way. The journey took 51 days. 

Cunard paddlebox variations

Although carved figureheads installed at the prow of ships provided the main focus for ornamentation on ships of the time, the advent of paddlewheels and their protective shrouding provided new opportunities for decoration.

Power steering (optional)

Yamaha 80 period piece

Another Easy Rider influenced creation. I'll say it again, Peter Fonda, you have a lot to answer for...

MG Magnette

DeLorean at British Car Day

Sisecar Sunday

Thanks, Kevan...

Gene Harper and Jan Carl's ride, Cannonball 2018

One of our vices is vises, Wheelwright vise.

Thanks, Drew!

This is an item displayed at The Brome County Museum in Knowlton Quebec.  It is identified as a Wheelwrights Vice but we can't figure out how and where it might be used.  The action seems to be between a steel hook and a block of wood. This might imply a way to pull or tighten a cable or rope, neither of which really makes sense. Ideas welcomed!

Santa Fe all the way

This poster dates from probably 1948 and showcases the SuperChief speeding by in the background along with the recurring character/icon "Chico" who was usually shown from the back in these ads.

Cannonball 2018

Thanks, Kevan!

The  Motorcycle Cannonball is a transcontinental rally for motorcycles built more than 90 years years ago. As we speak the riders are about halfways through the event. This is Mark Loewen's ride, a 1912 Excelsior twin sporting a modern(ish) disc brake on the rear wheel.

Scientific Motorcycling

At a recent swapmeet I found this 1974 motorcycle rider skills book by Canadian motorcyclist and dealer Phil Funnell, a name I've never heard of. Although I taught motorcycle training for a period on the 80s, I find it odd this very detailed and useful book was not in the curriculum or even mentioned, possibly bad publicity? The book has a definite homemade appearance, amd contains many hand drawn diagrams used to illustrate the ideas presented. It appears to be based on his personal experiences, by the time he wrote the book, he had already riding for many years.

A quick google reveals he is still making the long distance trips he was known for.  The link in the article doesn't work, this one should. Obviously another motorcycle "character"!

It's even a signed copy!