Friday, May 31, 2019

Last new Bultacos in Canada


Renault Estafette


Here's another little utility van that I don't believe we ever saw in North America. The Estafette (Relay) was Renaults entry into the market dominated by Volkswagen. 
Produced from 1959 to 1981, over a half million were made.


Thanks, Rolf!


Windhoff four cylinder motorcycle 1928-31

OHC 750cc engine, no frame per se...this was an advanced design from Germany with production cut short by the Depression.


Thursday, May 30, 2019

New Haven Comet

 In the mid 1930s the New Haven Railway was looking for a more efficient alternative to a steam locomotive-powered train and the streamliners by Budd, as used by Burlington and Maine Central were considered. The Besler steam train (similar in styling to the Budd but using a high pressure steam generator instead of diesel engines) was another option that was rejected. The Goodyear Zeppelin company of Akron, Ohio came up with a 160 passenger double-ended diesel-electric 3 car articulated unit. The train was introduced with great fanfare in 1935 but suffered from developmental bugs and due to the fact it could not be expanded to handle peak traffic periods never achieved its potential. It was scrapped in 1951. 

Amazon
This colour image shows a different paint scheme but the train featured a natural aluminum finish highlighted with a dark blue band at wheel level with a light blue band around the windows. The image below shows the scale of the train.


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

1913 Imp


The Imp was William Stout's first commercial venture in transportation, he would go on to found Stout Aviation and build the Ford Trimotors. Less than a thousand Imps were built between 1913 and 1915.
 On display at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg museum.

1980 Camaro


 Z28, Rally Sport, Sport Coupe and Berlinetta... The Camaro getting civilized, comfortable and responsible. 


thanks, Rolf!

Tapered yard stick

 Here's an interesting promotional yardstick from New York Air Brake company. Just a standard 36 inch ruler with an unusual square section, but more unusually, it tapers from 3/4 inch at one end to 1/2" at the other. Whether there is a reason for this or its just a gimmick I do not know but a quick Google search does find others like it with different company names.


Monday, May 27, 2019

Maintenance on a Stratocruiser

Three level scaffolding designed for working on the Boeing Stratocruiser,

RMS Aquitania

Launched in April of 1913 at Clydebank, Scotland, the Cunard Lines Aquitania was the longest lasting four funnel liner in service, scrapped in 1950. The ship served mostly on the Southampton- New York or Halifax routes, worked as a troop carrier in both world wars and ended her career carrying immigrants to Canada.

Indian transmission cutaway


This could be a Monday mystery! No makers name on this simple three speed transmission, but it was paired with the Indian engine in this previous post so I suspect this is also Indian-made?



Thanks, Rolf!


The schooner Bluenose

Brian and Phil Backman, Bluenose, McClelland and Stewart Ltd, Toronto
Action shot of the Bluenose doing what it did best.



Thursday, May 23, 2019

Bugatti Railcar Brochure

In the early thirties the luxury and sports cars Bugatti made weren't selling due to the depression. Ettore Bugatti turned his attentions to a light railcar concept powered by a development of the Type 41 Royale engine used in multiples- either 2 or 4 engines depending in the model. The prototype was first operated in 1933 and soon led to more units put into service. Although they worked well, they were not economical to run and the last car was retired in 1958.
This publicity leaflet for Ettore Bugatti's Light Railway Car was shown at the 1937 Exposition Internationale in Paris. 







Thanks Rolf!


Below is a view of the railcar factory floor.
More here...

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Wellington damage

Not a good picture by any means but a good illustration of the strength of the geodesic structure in the Vickers Wellington.