5 replies to this topic

[Geoff E]

Just came across them, several not positively identified

http://home.san.rr.c...ff/oldpht07.htm

[jarama]

Wow!!!

Geoff, fantastic pictures!!!


Carles.

[Vitesse2]

Geoff, Carles: that is actually the home page of TNFer Frank S

[m.tanney]

The picture on the page Geoff has linked to (http://home.san.rr.c...ff/oldpht07.htm) is obviously of an Auto Union at the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup race, but what is that amazing streamlined thingy on the far side of the track? Frank suggests that the tow vehicle is a Dymaxion but I think it's just a streamlined truck. Streamliners were popular advertising tools in the late '30s, especially with breweries. Any guesses on what this one might be?

[Frank S]

Originally posted by m.tanney
The picture on the page Geoff has linked to (http://home.san.rr.c...ff/oldpht07.htm) is obviously of an Auto Union at the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup race, but what is that amazing streamlined thingy on the far side of the track? Frank suggests that the tow vehicle is a Dymaxion but I think it's just a streamlined truck. Streamliners were popular advertising tools in the late '30s, especially with breweries. Any guesses on what this one might be?

I was convinced it is one of these rigs, based on the general configuration and the specific treatment of the tow-vehicle's rear mudguards/fenders. There are enough differences that the 1938 models might be evolutions from the 1937 pictured pair, and also enough that they may just be a change on a popular theme, and mentioned by Mike.

When I received that picture I sent a message to a travel-trailer newsgroup, and in hours they had named it. Then, within days, I was at the Petersen Museum, to find coincidentlally... what you see on the "these rigs" page (As I post this, the server is not serving consistently, but the picture is of a 1938 REO tractor and Curtiss Aerocar trailer).
http://home.san.rr.c...sheff/reo01.htm

[dbw]

the tow rig pictured looks like a cab-over chassis with a fifth wheel...the dymaxion was a three wheeler with a fixed front driven axle[actually an early ford with a flipped ring gear]and a rear castor wheel to steer with.....i can't imagine what towing a trailer with that would be like!!!