Volume IV, Issue 4

think they are buying and what they actually are getting. I told him that.

What I was able to find out from the BBB web site is that the seller has a “F” rating . I have never encoun-tered a business with a BBB F rating. The sale was never consummated. Fortunately, I suspect?

The newsletter and my pres-ence on the net generate a lot of email traffic (Too bad I can’t say the same for the fledgling CCC –THE FORUM!) I thought a discussion of some of this correspondence might be of interest.?

Just today I received a Cadillac related email. It asserts there are more mid-fifties Caddys registered in Sweden than in the U.S. of A. I do not know if that is true, but it sure caught my eye?

A New Zealand reader is looking to replace his ‘62 Olds Dynamic 88, which he recently sold. He is currently chasing down a 1962 98, now located in Nevada. First, he asked my opinion on the car. Based solely on the asking price, and seller photos, I gave him my assess-ment. There were a few dis-crepancies that I was able to point out to him.

Next, he made inquiry about someone who could perform an inspection of the car. I am working on that one as I type.

My recommendation is, when-ever one is not able to person-ally view/drive the car to always have it inspected by a compe-tent professional. This recom-mendation is even more urgent when one is buying a car in the U.S. and then shipping it out of the country, all sight unseen! Yes, people do that. Shipping costs alone could equal the purchase price of a daily driver!

Another email came in from Australia. The writer’s son was looking at a 1969 Camaro for possible purchase. It was asked if I knew anything about the selling dealer, a classic car busi-ness in Missouri.

I know very little about Cama-ros, except that they are very popular and often cloned. One has to be sure what it is they

The CCC Mailbag

GDYNets® on the Web

Find GDYNets on the web:

CCC® -THE FORUM

http://ccc.activeboard.com

Car Collector Chronicles-scribd

Saved 62 - 1962 Olds web site http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville web site

SAVED 62: A website devoted to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dy-namic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds.

THE GRAY LADY: This web-site features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy in-formation.

DAVE’S DEN: A website de-voted to a myriad of interests. Foremost is extensive informa-tion on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmo-bile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. George Yaros.

A GDYNETS® PUBLICATION © 2011, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 2011 Car Collector Chronicles

Car Collector Chronicles®

Exploring:

Car Collecting Today

Classic Rides

Reports From the Field

Oldsmobile (1897-2004)

Cadillac (1902- )

Allanté (1987-1993)

Corvair (1960-1969)

IN THIS ISSUE:

The CCC Mailbag 1

GDYNets On the Web

1

A True One Owner

2

The Spirit of Ecstasy

3

Oldsmobile Crest Coming Next Issue

4 4

Photos 5

CCC® Forum EMail: OldsD88@gmail.com

You are looking at a 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Road-ster. The car is unique for a num-ber of reasons. Aside from the fact that Phantom roadsters are few and far between, this particu-lar car was built in Springfield, MA. Rolls did maintain an assembly plant in Springfield, MA from 1921 through 1931. This is 1-of-50

Rolls Royce Roadsters it made in Springfield, MA. However, that is only the start of the story. The gent pictured with the car is the late M. Allen Swift Of West Hart-ford, CT. Mr. Swift died in 2005, at age 102. The Rolls was acquired by him “brand spanking new” in 1928, as a gift from his father. The cost in ‘28 was $10,490 ($130,178.06 today)! During his, count ‘em, 77 years of ownership Mr. Swift managed to log 170,000 miles in the car! M. Allen Swift holds the distinction of being the longest standing original owner of any vehi-cle. His achievement is officially recognized in the Guinness Book of Records. Additionally, Mr. Swift was presented the crystal “Spirit of Ecstasy” award from Rolls Royce at their an-nual meeting in 1994. The award was be-stowed in recognition of owning his green Phantom I Roadster longer than anyone in the world has ever owned an individual Rolls Royce. Mr. Swift made sure his Rolls will continue to be able to be seen in Springfield, MA. He donated it, along with a cool million dollar upkeep endowment, to the Springfield Museum of History (http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_museums/springfield_history/ ). The value of the Rolls today is estimated to be in the $300,000 range. Here is in interesting aside regarding Mr. Swift and his Rolls. A num-ber of years ago, Mr. Swift commissioned Automotive Restorations of Stratford, CT to do a frame off restoration, send the engine to his long time friend Frank Cooke for reconditioning, redo the interior and paint the body in its original color; being a two-tone green combination with gold leaf striping and his initials. Once done, a call to Mr. Swift asked when he would like it delivered.

A TRUE ONE OWNER

Car Collector Chronicles Page 2

“During his,

count ‘em, 77

years of

ownership Mr.

Swift managed

to log 170,000

miles in the

car!”

“Delivered?” he responded. “I’ll pick it up.” And he did. A robust indi-vidual in his eighties at this point, he gave the car a good look over, thanked all involved, paid the bill and asked the easiest route to the Merritt Parkway. He had come down on the interstate, but felt the Mer-ritt; an older, twisty four-lane parkway; more apropos for the return trip in his shiny green Rolls Royce. THE SPIRIT OF ECSTASY Then there is the story behind the Spirit of Ecstasy: The Spirit of Ec-stasy has adorned the front of Rolls Royce automobiles since 1911. One of the most well known motor car mascots in the world, it was de-signed by Charles Robinson Sykes. His wonderful mascot was mod-eled after a young woman who had bewitching beauty, intellect and es-prit - but lacked the social status which might have permitted her to marry the man with whom she had fallen in love.

The model was Eleanor Velasco Thornton. Her rela-tionship with John Walter Edward Douglas Scott-Montagu remained a secret for over a decade, principally because both lovers acted with the utmost discretion. John Walter Edward Douglas Scott-Montagu, heir to his father's title, was an automobile pioneer in England. He

was the founder and editor of The Car Illustrated magazine. Eleanor Thornton, 14 years junior in age, served as his personal secretary. Friends of the pair knew of their intimacy, but were sufficiently under-standing so as to overlook it. In 1903 Eleanor bore him a child, which she immediately gave up for adoption. The woman who had been the model for the Spirit of Ecstasy was not to appreciate its success. Eleanor Velasco Thornton lost her life on 30 December 1915, while onboard the SS Persia, taking passage to India. She had been accompanying Lord Montagu, who had been directed by his government to take over a war command in India. The ship was tor-pedoed off the coast of Crete by a German submarine. His Lordship was thought to have been killed too, but survived and was rescued a few days later by another ship. On his return to England he read the newspaper obituaries discussing his demise. As a final tribute to his secretary/lover, Lord Montagu had a plaque honoring her installed on the family pew at his church. I wonder how Lady Montagu felt about that?

“His wonderful

mascot was

modeled after

a young

woman who

had

bewitching

beauty,

intellect and

esprit - but

lacked the

social status

which might

have permitted

her to marry

the man with

whom she had

fallen in love.”

Car Collector Chronicles Page 3

Car Collector Chronicles Page 4;;

OLDSMOBILE CREST It is interesting to understand how and why car manufacturers come up with the em-blems they place on their vehicles. The Olds crest of the 30’s and 40’s contains a lot of symbolism that may have never been known or realized, or if so, that knowledge has been subsequently lost by the average purchaser.

The elements of the depicted Oldsmobile crest, in the language of heraldry, characterize business traits the com-pany wanted to emphasize. Starting at the top left and pro-ceeding clockwise: Oak Leaves - Symbols of strength and sturdiness, symbolic of the industry, GM and Oldsmobile. Micrometer - Representing exactness and precision. Lamp of Knowledge - Representing the intellectual and re-search power of the company.

Lamp Flame - Represents the continuous research work undertaken by Oldsmobile en-gineers. Triangle - Represents the craftsmanship of Oldsmobile personnel. Winged Spur - A symbol of fleetness, representing the harnessing of horsepower and development of transportation. 3 Acorns - Representing the historical position of Oldsmobile within the automotive in-dustry; the seed from which the industry sprouted, branched out and grew. Source: Pulfer, Harry, “Oldsmobile Emblems and How to Identify Them,” Car Classics (April, 1972).

Ok, I’ve had my say for the month. Now its your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and contributions, and ask that you help spread the word about our pub. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC® at OldsD88@gmail.com. Now that you have finished reading our pub, come start/join an ongoing dialog be-tween other CCC® readers and like-minded car collector folk on the CCC® Forum. Stop by, check us out and share your views … . _______________________________________

-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM! COMING NEXT ISSUE: High RPMs Kiwi Oldsmobiles Automotive Ancestry

INTERESTING RIDES This is a 1977 Puma. Its logo was the one displayed in the Feb issue. It is also a “kit car”. This particular ride was hand-built by my brother. The car is of Brazilian origin, and powered by an air-cooled VW engine.

Here, we have a 1954 Olds pick-up?

A 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire station wagon?

A 1953 Studebaker Ranchimino?

Car Collector Chronicles Page 5;