So, in an attempt to get the 450 DOTS Celebration to show up on your computer, I'm breaking it up into sections. We've had the Germans and the Wagons, and today I've been so inspired by the beautiful DOTS '69 AMX that I've put together a collection of Alameda's street-parked vintage American cars and trucks that were not designed by Detroit's Big Three (I say "designed" because I think that the '45 Jeep counts as a Willys, in spite of being built by Ford). I believe that the trio of kit cars, the Shay Model A, the CMC Gazelle, and the Fieroborghini- based on Pinto, Chevette, and Fiero chassis, respectively- qualify here, because, well, why not? You Scout fans will find plenty of iron to admire, we've got some Ramblers and a couple of Studes, and there's even a Packard!

1943 IHC	1945 Ford	1948 IHC	1951 Willys	1953 Packard	1956 Willys
1958 Willys	1960 Studebaker	1960 Rambler	1961 Rambler	1964 Studebaker	1964 Jeep
1964 Checker	1965 IHC	1965 Rambler	1969 AMC	1969 AMC	1972 IHC
1972 IHC	1972 IHC	1976 AMC	1976 IHC	1977 IHC	1979 Shay
1980 IHC	1983 Jeep	1984 Jeep	1988 CMC	2000 Fieroborghini

This is the sixth Alameda Scout in the series (after this '72, this '72, this '76, and this '77, and this super-rare '80 Diesel Scout). I see a few more Scouts around town that I'll get around to photographing one of these days. Why does this totally paved, completely flat, dense-urban island have so many serious off-road, farm-equipment-grade machines? Weekend fishing trips in the mountains? Preparing for the apocalypse? You tell me!

It appears that this truck, which is painted in jaunty two-tone orange/green, has had some spewing-radiator difficulties recently. The list price on the '72 Scout II Traveltop was $3,340. That's $248 cheaper than the '72 Bronco wagon; the '72 Blazer was $190 cheaper, but you had to pay extra for the removable top.

DOTSBE tipster Kitt has introduced me to the Tilt-Shift Maker website, so I thought I'd try it out with the Scout. I'd do it in Photoshop, but I'm still a fan of the prehistoric 1997-vintage Photoshop 5.0 and it lacks the necessary features.

You could get yourself a Travelall based on the D-1000 half-ton truck chassis for $2,705 back in 1965. The half-ton '65 Suburban sold for $3,270 and the Jeep Wagoneer 4-door was $3,395. What a deal! Of course, you'd have to pay more to upgrade the Travelall from the 240-cube six to the 304 V8 (a wise investment for a vehicle weighing well over 2-1/2 tons).


This appears to be a two-wheel-drive version, so you wouldn't want to take it on a camping trip involving heavy-duty mud-boggin' action. Ground clearance is still great, though, so those dirt roads will be no sweat.


I really could have used this sort of diagram on the first three-on-the-tree car I ever drove- definitely would have saved me a lot of confusion.

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These images were shot at my dealer in Bridgeport, CT. He was holding an open house, and these trucks are part of his personal collection. Both are fairly rare, but one of these took a little research on my part. Introducing a 1917 International Model F. No this is not an International Harvester, but is actually a product of the International Motor Truck Company, which resulted in a merger of Mack Brothers Motor Car Company, and Saurer Motor Truck Company. Here is a brief history from Wikipedia:

1911: The Saurer Motor Truck Company, headed by C.P. Coleman, had the rights to manufacture and sell heavy trucks under the Saurer brand name at its plant in Plainfield, New Jersey. On September 23, 1911, the Saurer Motor Truck Company merged with the Mack Brothers Motor Car Company of Allentown, headed by J. M. Mack, to form the International Motor Truck Company (IMTC). IMTC would continue to make and sell trucks using the Saurer name until 1918. The capitalization of IMTC was $2.6 million total ($1.6m for Saurer, or 61.5%, and $1.0m for Mack Brothers).

Observations about the Red International. I thought it was very similar to Mack Trucks made at this time period, with Mack’s characteristic radiator mounted aft of the engine. In the front is the Hand Crank, and yes, this is the way you start the truck. The engine is a 4 Cylinder, but no one really knows the horsepower. From what I understand about the shifters is that one is for forward motion, and the other lever is for reverse, but I really have no clue. I do know that the tires are solid rubber, no air, on wooden spoke wheels. The headlamps are typical brass era, and I’m lead to believe that the way they are illuminated electrically, though they could still be an early form of Acetylene lamps. Anyway, this is truly an interesting beast.

Introducing the 1947 International KB11. From my limited research, this was one of the larger trucks made by IH back then, except for the severe duty logging tractors. The engine is an IH Manufactured engine, very heavy duty, and six cylinders. Horsepower rating, torque, number of forward gears? Haven’t got a clue. However, take a look at the custom grill guard, rear headache rack, and custom winch. Another great looking early truck.

Econoboxes like Seats and Ladas rule my in-the-process-of-being-gentrified Copenhagen neighbourhood of Vesterbro, but a few interesting cars live here too. Like the International on the attached picture. Please note a few days' worth of parking tickets on the windshield. The CH sticker on the back is for Switzerland, but the license plates are Danish. 'Oehlenschlægergade' street name trivia: In the old days city cops were hired more on the basis of their girth (200 lbs. minimum) rather than their spelling skills, so to make it easier writing the police report, people about to be arrested would be dragged over to the parallel street 'Saxogade' before the arrest was made official.

It was right under my nose (figuratively speaking) and literally right under my apartment window; my upstairs neighbour's SAAB 96. It may look like crap, but seeing that the mechanicals are in top shape, it consistently sails right through the fairly tough bi-annual Danish car inspection. I borrow it regularly, and have gotten used to the approving howls from local punk rockers, when they see it coming down the street. Car taxes in Denmark are pretty high, ensuring that a car that costs 10K in the US wil cost 25-30K here. So people hang on to their old cars much longer than elsewhere in Europe - though for obvious reasons you see more Volvos and SAABs that have survived, than - say - Fiats and Simcas.

As you may (or may not) know, I'm a factory rep for an Import Truck Distributor, and one of my dealers in the New York region is Jim Reed. He is a minor legend in NASCAR (when they actually drove real Stock Cars, not fake ones). Here is a small biography of Jim when he was racing.



Anyway, today was nearly perfect weatherwise, so I convinced Jim to let me take pictures of two of his prized vehicles. I'll start out with a Beige 1941 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Club Coupe. The 1941 Model used a 292 Cu. In Flathead V-12, linked to a 3 Speed Manual. This car is equipped with a Borg Warner Overdrive, giving the car the ability to cruise over 75 MPH with no problems. Jim owned this car over 4 years, and during that time he has built it up to be a driver, not a trailer queen (as you can see, it is currently registered in New York, and is driven an average of 3,000 miles a year. The car was in rather poor condition when purchased, and was a Dark Brown color. The V-12 has been rebuilt, including a performance camshaft, the Chrome was all re-plated, the O/D was rebuilt, and even though the sheet metal was relatively rust free, it was refinished in it's current light sandstone finish. The interior was refinished two years ago, with a special seat cover made to keep the seats in good condition, since Jim uses it as a real car, and transports his Jack Russell terrier Bocci with him when he comes to work. The work took over 3 years to get into it's current condition, with the engine taking over a year just to get running again.

Ok, some details about the photos. Take a look at the floor pedals. There is a high/low beam switch to the left of the clutch, and a Radio Station Changer button right between the Clutch and the Brake pedals. Notice the Art Deco details, including the Bumpers, the Tail Lights, and the Zeppelin shaped turn signals. The "wood" (used on top of the doors, and the dashboard) isn't wood, but hand painted to look like wood. Take a look at the dash, and you will see a hood release, one of the very first offered in any car at the time. On the outside, the hubcaps let you know this was a Lincoln V-12, as does the chrome stip on the hood. Now take a look at the twin carbureted V-12. Isn't that a thing of beauty? I drove this beautiful car short distance, and would love to do it again.



Now, let me introduce you to the 1937 Cord 812. Cord pioneered front wheel drive in production applications with the L-29 in the late 20's. The A-C-D company then created a "Baby" Duesenberg which became in 1936 the Cord 810 with front wheel drive, Lycoming V8 power and a legendary body design from Gordon Buehrig. A year later, in 1937, came modest changes as in this distinctive example of the beautiful Beverly 4-door sedan body style. Finished in green with green cloth interior, the car is used as a driver, and not as a trailer queen. Jim uses this car for about 1,500 to 2,000 miles a year, and he just completed a round trip to an Auburn, Cord, Dusenberg club meet. This car was purchased a couple of years ago through a Hemmings ad. Since Jim took possession, there has been some improvements made, including new wheels and wheel discs, hubs, joints, brakes, tires, and other special features. The Shift controls were thoroughly rebuilt with new servos and micro switches.

A bit of history. The 289 Cu In V-8 was made by Lycoming, and it's actually installed backwards, since this car was Front Wheel Drive. The transmission was also unique, as it was the 4-speed manual with helical-cut gears and Bendix "Electric Hand" vacuum-servo pre-selector remote control. The Pre-selector always proved to be problematic, and this car was no exception.

Now, some of the photos. Take a look at that aircraft inspired dashboard, with a full set of instrumentation. Notice the two cranks at each side. Those are used to raise and lower the headlamps. This is one of the first cars to use a full wheelcover, instead of hubcaps (notice how these are tied on using zip ties!). The shift lever is the pre-selector. Now take a look at those trunk locks, heavy, and well made. The Art Deco details abound. Under the hood is that Lycoming V-8, and take a look at how the exhaust is routed! In front of the radiator is the Bendix Electric pre-selector shifting mechanism. Notice that the Front Doors are suicide, and the rears are not!




Now, the trucks:

1)The Green one is a 1948 International K-Series 1 ton truck, with a Chrysler Flat head 6 Cyl Engine. This is a truck that is owned by an International Dealer in Plattsburgh, NY. The owner stated that he has two of them, since he was born in 1948. It's all there, but currently not running, as is used as eye candy in front of the dealership.

2) The Ford is a 1964 Ford F250 Camper Conversion. It is currently registered, but there is some major work that has to be done to it. The cab is a custom cab, and is quite unique and interesting. This was also shot in Plattsburgh, NY (where the classic Airstreams were parked.)

3) The Maroon/Black Wrecker is a fully functioning 1966 International V200, and it has a Huge Gasoline 549 Cu. In V-8. I can't tell you the horsepower, but it sounds menacing. One thing I did spot when taking pictures was the fact that this still sports split rims, which are somewhat of a hazard if you try and change the tire... ugh!

Thought I'd share shots of the sweet beast parked outside my workplace today. I took a whole whack of photos, but the cameraphone seems to have trouble when taking shots into the sun. Or towards the sun. Or facing west. Or during daylight, darkness, movement, moments of happiness, sadness, while smoking, while drinking, while breathing... you get the idea.

So to compensate for only supplying two mediocre shots, I included a shot of an absolutely beautiful old Saab that bumbled past us in Vancouver. I know, who cares... but the point is, this was in the middle of shooting a scene of Smallville. (If you notice in the background, there are movie-car definitely-not-RCMP-standard-issue Charger police cars as part of the scene.) The roads are blocked, the building has been redressed for Luthorcorp, the cameras are rolling.... and in the middle of it all, this Saab goes around the roadblocks and right into the camera's way. "CUT!" Nobody seemed to mind, because it sounded like it was brand new, and looked like it drove that way too. Reeeeespect.

And now it's time to listen to a tune from north of the border!



Our friends from Texas do a good version as well:

It turns out that this truck is owned by the guy who runs the Alameda Naval Air Museum, and all the costumed folks hanging around (including a guy in full Indiana Jones gear and some fur-hatted Rooskies) were getting ready to attend the grand opening of the newly restored Alameda Theater, which had been closed for 30 years and was showing an Indiana Jones premiere. Sure, this International normally lives in a museum, but I caught it parked on the street- it's fair DOTS game!


Why Red Army soldiers plan to ride to the movies in a truck done up in USMC colors is a bit hard to figure out, but the costumes were quite good and this truck looks reasonably complete.


I'm hoping that military-vehicle expert (and my ex-coworker) Clinto can give us some more details on this old soldier; I'll need to head down to the ANAM later on and see what other vehicles they've got.

And, since we're in a Huntington Beach sort of mood now, let's catch the Vandals' performance from Suburbia, as our favorite OC boys explain why Patrick Edward Brown is no zero:

Though the overall look of this truck is incongruous in a neighborhood full of crypto-Mission style turn-of-the-century bungalows, but wait until the Final Days are upon us and the atomic fire rains from the skies! Then this Scout will be full of freeze-dried food and ammo, headed at top speed for the compound in the mountains and leaving the rest of us to fight over charred rat carcasses in the rubble.


And what better soundtrack for that drive to the compound than a little Bad Religion?


Or maybe it's just an especially menacing commuter vehicle with single-digit gas mileage.