Howdy Y'all this blog is gonna be a little different tonight because well...it started out a normal day but I guess everyone is all keyed up awaiting the upcoming Fourth of July..and my birthday on the 5th so my cell started ringing and next thing i knew...
(There is a decided lack of footage of ole Hank throwin' down on that song...)
But that's pretty much what's happened here tonight so just grab a cold one and join us if you don't have to work tomorrow, or try not to influence the kiddos okay..CHEERS!
But I was reminded that one day in the far far away future I may look back on this as my past and play a fitting tune to remind myself I ain't as young as I used to be....maybe....
Yep but I ain't about to admit when I rowdy on down Y'all...drive careful or use a designated driver when you leave this here party...
Howdy Y'all! Tonight we will explore the often overlooked and lamented Icons of the U.S. Auto revolution. When we think of the pioneers of automotive beginnings and when we think of American Autos what pops in our minds? The Big Three! The Detroit connection. What if most of their groundbreaking innovations that got our country rolling and still going strong today..what if I told you not to believe all you hear, or heard all your life? Maybe instantly your temperature rises and you mutter some curses under your breath or just laugh at me...that's okay just bear with me and be shocked as we dig into the world of that Kenosha Caddy!
(With the help of my research, Wikipedia, Google, and my beautiful dream girl; we find the truth!
The first use of the name Rambler for an American made automobile dates to 1897 when Thomas B. Jeffery of Chicago, Illinois and builder of theRambler bicycle, constructed his first prototype automobile.
After receiving positive reviews at the 1899 Chicago International Exhibition & Tournament and the first National Automobile Show in New York City, Jeffery decided to enter the automobile business. In 1900, he bought the old Sterling Bicycle Co. factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and set up shop.
Jeffery started commercially mass-producing automobiles in 1902 and by the end of the year had produced 1,500 motorcars, one-sixth of all existing in the USA at the time. The Thomas B. Jeffery Company was the second largest auto manufacturer at that time, (behind Oldsmobile).
Rambler experimented such early technical innovations as a steering wheel (as opposed to a tiller), but it was decided that such features were too advanced for the motoring public of the day, so the first production Ramblers were tiller-steered. Rambler innovated various design features and was the first to equip cars with a spare wheel-and-tire assembly. This allowed the driver, when experiencing a common puncture (flat tires) to exchange the spare wheel & tire for the flat one.
In 1914, Charles T. Jeffery, Thomas B. Jeffery's son, replaced the Rambler brand name with Jeffery in honor of his now deceased father.
In 1916, the Thomas B. Jeffery Company was purchased by Charles W. Nash and became Nash Motors Company in 1917. The Jeffery brand name was dropped at the time of the sale and the manufacture of Nash branded automobiles commenced. In 1937, the concern became the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation through a merger with the well-known appliance maker. ( Are you stating to see a pattern emerge? Do I have your curiosity up now? Well pay attention sports fans I'm just getting started!)
1950-1957
Nash Rambler served as the platform for the first generation Rambler American
Main article: Nash Rambler
Under the direction of Charles Nash's successor George W. Mason, Nash-Kelvinator Corporation began development of a small car that could be produced inexpensively for the post World War II economy.
However, steel shortages limited the amount of raw materials that Nash could get, so Mason turned the compact, now designated the Rambler, into a two-door sedan with a convertible top and the cars were equipped with many standard features that were typically options, to maximize profits for the company. When introduced, the Rambler was an immediate success for Nash. As steel quotas (related to the Korean War) eased, the Rambler line was broadened in both its model types (four-door sedan and station wagon) and price points, which proved to be as successful as the first generation of two-door sedan convertibles.
The first generation of modern Ramblers carried a modified version of Nash's Airflyte styling, which included closed wheel openings. Where the wheel openings of any car are a major source of wind resistance, the design was rather primarily an engineering design to increase the strength of the car for impact resistance. Many people surmised that the skirted fenders limited the turning radius of the wheels but was not an actual handicap for having a comparatively narrow front track. Ramblers continued to use this styling until 1955, when the front wheels were revealed by a periodic design update. In 1954 the Rambler offered the first industry combination heating and air conditioning unit that could be an add-on or installed at the factory for $395.00, which at that time was about the lowest cost unit available in an American car.[2]
In 1954, American Motors Corporation (AMC) was formed from the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and the Hudson Motor Car Company. Following the merger, Ramblers were badged as both Nashes and Hudsons, with no visible difference between the two. The Nash and Hudson makes were continued through 1957, after which all of AMC's offerings were marketed as Ramblers, with the exception of the imported 1958-1962 Metropolitan.
1958-1969
1958 Rambler sedan
1963 Rambler Classic 660 Cross Country station wagon
1965 Rambler Classic 660 Cross Country station wagon
Train unloading 1958 Ramblers for a car rental company in Florida.
At the start of the 1960s George Romney made a marketing decision that more fully unified the various Rambler model names under the Rambler brand. In 1962, the Ambassador, a top-trim level model, was officially brought under the Rambler name (it had previously been named the "Ambassador by Rambler"), and the former Rambler Six and Rambler Rebel V8 were renamed the Rambler Classic. (Note: while the top-line models for 1958-1961 were advertised as the "Ambassador V-8 by Rambler", on the cars themselves, the nomenclature was "Rambler Ambassador".)
Romney also put into play his plan to slash production costs, which involved more common parts sharing between the Ambassador and Classic models. Beginning in 1962, all "senior" Rambler models would share the same automobile platform with identical wheelbase and body parts, but the engines, trims, and equipment levels distinguished the Classic from the Ambassador.
In 1963, the entire Rambler line received the Motor TrendCar of the Year award. However, Romney's departure to become Michigan governor opened the door for his successor, Roy Abernethy, to redirect the company towards a strategy of competing head to head with the Big Three (General Motors,Chrysler Corporation, and Ford Motor Company) with a variety of bodies and automobile platforms. This new plan also included marketing the various models apart from the Rambler brand name, which Abernethy felt would be a hindrance in the market segments he hoped to pursue.
One of the first moves in that direction was the creation of the 1965 line of Ramblers, which split the Classic from the Ambassador visually, while still sharing a significant number of parts. Once again the Ambassador had a unique, extended wheelbase. In addition, AMC introduced the Marlin, a hardtop coupe intended to give AMC a toe-hold in the sporty fastback market.
Backed by marketing reports, Abernethy next made a persuasive argument to the AMC board that the Rambler name had not only acquired a stodgy image and was a hindrance to increasing sales, but that consumers associated it with compact cars. In what hindsight would show to be an ill-conceived decision, American Motors began to phase it out in favor of an AMC marque beginning in 1966, as it attempted to become a multiplatform automobile manufacturer. Retention of the well-known Rambler brand name and its association with compact economy models could have served AMC well in the 1970s.
By 1968, the only vehicle produced by AMC to carry the Rambler marque, was the compact Rambler American. Although designed as a no-nonsense economy car, the American spawned the audacious SC/Rambler developed with Hurst Performance.While AMC planned to produce only 500 for the 1969 model year, the Scrambler proved so popular two more groups of about 500 each were built. All featured the same 390 cu in (6.4 l) V8, four-barrel carburetor, and close-ratio four-speed transmission of the AMX, plus Hurst shifter, Twin-Grip (limited slip) differential, and cold air hood. For the final year in 1969 the models were simply called Rambler.
The last U.S. built Rambler was produced on 30 June 1969, and it was one of over 4.2 million cars to carry the Rambler name that rolled off the assembly line in Kenosha.
Now in closing I will add a few links and I must say I found many fascinating things from Wisconsin's storied past. They ain't all about cheese and Packers Football, but admit it...that rocks!
When I paid homage to the great Boris Karloff last time I got to thinking about the two old comedic macabre shows that emerged in the 60's we all know and love. Yep the Addam's Family with Gomez, Morticia, Lurch, Fester, Pugsly, Wednesday and Mama Addams. And we can't dismiss Cousin Itt, Thing, or the House either. Their antics matched against the Munsters; Herman, Lily, Eddie, Grandpa, Marilyn (the plain..normal one) Spot and a host of other pets. And Y'all their cars were the best I must admit!
Now the question I pose to you is who wins in a faceoff? I say the Munsters!
And I have to mention...
In the article siding with the Addams Family it says that no movies came after etc etc..WRONG! And The new series I wont even go into but as for the movies? Check this out...
So now we dig up the Addams family tree after 1 more YouTube video proving the Munster's Movie...
Okay on to the Addams Family..
Okay I love the Addams Family Too but hands down..including you Thing! I vote The Munster's!
Remember these classics and all the enjoyment derived from them Y'all but I ask which Family do you chose for the win? Think of it as a kooky, spooky, humorously macabre version of The Hatfield's and The McCoy's...pick a side..whose with me and The Munsters? And if a beauty contest we all know Marilyn! A Munster ;) even though she can't compete with my girl ;) but still in the spirit of competition let me know which family you pick...
Howdy Y'all tonight we are gonna reflect upon on of the most iconic genre actors Hollywood had to offer besides my personal favorite John Wayne! And tonight we will let the Duke sit back and maybe he liked this fellow and his movies too...
Yep Mr. Boris Karloff! Yep the master of horror, the creature of the night, and a heck of an actor in any role he took...
and like many actors Boris Karloff didn't begin his life as Boris Karloff....
And don't let that shatter your image of movie creature master Boris Karloff folks. We end tonight's remembrance with a tribute and farewell to Boris...Night night sleep tight y'all....
I had a treat this morning that really brought me back. I don't know how many will remember how it was going to a grocery store, maybe a gas station or convenience mart in the middle of summer and so parched. You could hardly wait to get to the counter and pay for your soda...or as we call it here..pop! And what was so special about it then as opposed to now? I mean everyone buys a cold drink. What am I driving at you ask? Well I found a few photos to go along with this thing and to make my point...
Probably wouldn't think much of it if you had never tasted the difference but I am telling you....the glass bottled pop of your choice, be it Dr. Pepper! Coca Cola! Pepsi! Even Sunkist..well you name it..anything tastes so much better! And honestly it is safer. Plastics, recycled plastic in particular? Not appetizing to think about really. And treated plastics..added chemicals, etc. Yep give me the old glass bottles any day!
Now how about a few other YouTube flashbacks before I wind this one up?
Okay! Okay! I admit I'm a Pepper too! but I won't fill you up on more old pop commercials, these were great back then.
Now I pose a challenge to Y'all...
If you run into one of the 8 ounce Cokes at your local store in the glass bottle, and you got time and spare change try this, try a can of Coke, and grab you a plastic bottle of Coke too. Grand total less than $3.50. Then try the Coke challenge with me.. I bet you agree that glass bottle makes it so much better, and colder to boot.
In closing I pose a question...beer is sold almost exclusively in glass bottles, and aluminum cans..why is that?
IT TASTES SO MUCH BETTER! AND PRESERVES THE FLAVOR OF COURSE!
Tonight I aim to bring attention to those old plaques we see. Perhaps on the side of the highway, rest stops, a host of places maybe even in your own little town as you meander the streets, sidewalks, or local haunts.
Yep I am talking about those Historic Markers Y'all. I think they don't get the attention they deserve. Ever stopped to check one out? Lots have a bit of the back story and they make for some fascinating reading I tell you that now. And I do tend to ramble about my corner of the country...
Good ole Southwest Virginia (some mistake that as alluding to West Virginia..wrong state; no Wrong Turns for me though the movie was well disturbing too maybe because I wasn't drinking ) So I am going to give a link here from Virginia's Historic Markers... Southwestern part of Virginia I know like the back of my hand...remember the overlook or the battle marker from a previous blog if your a regular?
It will detail events and reasons for the markers that are fascinating to a history buff like myself. Hopefully it helps inspire you to dig into yours...what you may find could excite you beyond belief.
Now I leave you with a thought. Those old markers are to mark a place in time that has long since gone so is it a gravestone or just a remembrance?
Come back and see us again Y'all I think I have some more surprises for you. Oh and once again I encourage you drop us a comment and share some of your own historic past that you don't want forgotten....
Howdy Y'all and I expect after the dreaded Monday that kicks off many of y'all's work week you get home and all you want to do is relax right?
I would say YES! So here's what we all are gonna do for tonight's visit...go ahead and pull up a chair, get comfy and hmm..grab a cold drink and a snack before you get settled in..trust me ;)
We gonna watch a movie and it ain't a new one but it is going to relax us and make you laugh....dream of a simple life and wonder how the heck some people pass their time in a small town...better than they do in the city I tell you that much..
So ready? Okay..here we go now...
Wait! First I would like to get this out ok? Now we all live this crazy busy life and rarely get a break. Makes you want to get in the truck and drive out to some old town..take mine for instance (even though it ain't quite what it used to be) a place where time has stayed slow and let nature take it's course. Lots of city folk may not get what we see down here...try it you might like it ;)
I haven't hinted on what the movie is yet I know....what's the fun in that? Now lets go to a simpler place and time. Enjoy the movie...I'm sure you will.
I know me and my girl do ;)
Funny preview I had too Y'all...
Well darn!
If you click the YouTube link it allows you to rent it and it is the official Warner Bros site. The $1.99 tag ain't so bad and you don't even have to drive down to the store to get it.
