Chapter 185

6/20/2008

Sprockets to Rockets

mechanicals

1950's Toys:

special thanks to sis Kathy for converting old 8mm to VHS whereupon I could digitally convert to e-files

As I began growing up in the 50's, I was greatly influenced by the multitude of mechanical things around me. I had my own 1931 Model A Roadster to drive around when I was about 11 yrs old. Dad was a mechanical whiz as you can see from his conglomerations including doodlebugs, a gyrocopter that flew, and a modern 3 wheeler.

video scene notes:

1 May 1953 Dale-Billy-Terry. Dad bought the boys each a new Schwinn bicycle and was the first time Dale was out of the house after his illness (Rheumatic fever). We had the battery powered lights and horn. Billy had the rifle with scabbord and saddlebags on his bike. Ear flaps down- musta been cold because he was never over dressed and always had a runny nose. Mom sitting on steps. Pauline Smith trailer behind. Our two tone 1948? brown Olds in background. Remember curling up in back window shelf at Dryden Drive-in when got tired of John Wayne's Chisom Trail movie. Spotlight on car for playing chase the spotlight with other cars before movie would start.

2 1953 Dooling Tether Cars, Mercury Comet , track with cars, track scene near house

3 1953-56 go karts Dad built- Terry-Brownie/Blackie-Bill, Terry, Tom Saltsman- Dale- Bill-Terry, Terry 88

4 1955 go kart 88 Bill drive-Kathy on 2 wheeler with helpers on dirt road Church St

5 1957 Pet Van Gorder driving our old 1935 Ford pickup? to feed the free range chickens across the creek (as in next scene) doors-front hood-fenders cowl removed.

6 1957 Dale drive, Terry shotgun-Bill rear mowing our baseball field with Olds doodlebug- Willys engine-& low range with olds automatic +/-

7 1992 Stan's barn- Manny's soap box racer Jaycees (one of many)- nice old bike

8 1956 Dad flying U-control model airplane

9 1955 Grandpa and Grandma with their 1950 Black Chev, and our 53-54 Olds 88

10 1957 Dad (broken right arm from car accident) & Muncie rockets in road- deleted great scene of rifle shooting down the rocket parachute that was hung up in tree

11 1960 Joanies or Hal's tiny Italian Simca car in Buffalo with Ma-Kathy-Bill

12 1950's Dad plow with modified garden tractor, doodle bug homemade v-plow, little Jeep bought v-plow

13 1959 Dale first road car 54 Ford Futura Custom 2dr HT, Tom Saltsman's 56 Ford primer gray-white roof background, I might have been home for lunch with Stan's John Deer tractor, our 1959 Black 98 Olds wh top, red Schwinn

14 1960 First unloading of my 1959 Wards Riverside Silver Pigeon Italian scooter from Dad's Willys- w/ Kathy

15 1960's Pete and Dad Radio Controlled planes- Bill recover

16 1958 my second car 1947 Plymouth bought for $25 from

17 1956 my first car 1931 Model A bought $15 at about 11 yr old - Charlie Cotanche, me on bike 54 olds- winter I pull Kathy with sled and Dales 41Chev- I drive Mikey-Kathy-Bill to swim pond

18 1966 Bob Muncey's Fox Trac snowmachine-Bill ski- our Scorpian- Dad ski jump at ski area-Muncie on SkiDoo

19 1965 my 1958 Chevy Biscayne

20 1972 Me on Gyrocopter at Bill's place in Syracuse- Gyrocoper in action- Kathy & Shawn at Hancock Field Syracuse- Bill's Cessena 172

21 1970's Scott on Honda Oddesy- David

22 1970's Dad's homebuilt three wheeler

23 1950's Dale's 41 Chevy- & with fenders stripped (cool)

24 1970's Bill on old 47 Harley Davidson

25 2004 Saratoga Auto Museum solar car I built

26 1956 Dad awaiting the end of film in Kodak 8mm camera to end prior to developing