Flip up steering wheel was found on a barn wall, NOS, in pristine condition... designed to allow fat guys to get into a model T, the Tiltlok

That wood is in the best condition of any old steering wheel I've ever seen...

Found this one at the LA Roadster Show, just like last year when I found a different one
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/flip-up-steering-wheel-on-model-t-i.html

Steve has the keenest Checker knowledge I've ever come across! He knew a 1939 Checker Model A from the back window!

The above was all I had, and I wondered about the taxi, but Steve knew!
Not a good looking front, unique, but not good. The fenders and rear quarters are bad also. I knew I'd posted one years ago http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2009/06/before-big-boxy-taxi-checker-made-model.html With the flip of a switch, the electrically operated top goes into the trunk
This is the landaulet version of the Checker Model A, which was built from 1939 until Checker switched to war production in 1941. The back top was electrically operated and disappeared into the body. It also had a sun roof. During the war, Checker donated the body dies to be melted down and recycled for the war effort.
This is thought to be the only remaining survivor from the 1939-1941 Model A Checker taxi. Photos were taken at the Checker Car Club of America show in 2002 at the Gilmore Museum

A handful of unusual-looking snouts appeared on American vehicles during the late thirties but none matched the monstrosity that premiered on the 1939 Checker Model A. The equally bizarre Sharknose Graham is the only other vehicle that could hold a candle to the Model A.

Checker designer John H. Tuttle is credited with designing the Model A’s bodywork from the cowl back, but the identity of the person who designed the front end is the subject of much debate. Ray Dietrich served as a consultant to the firm starting in the late 30s, however he emphatically denied any involvement with the firm’s taxi designs rig up until his death.

Tuttle’s name also appears on the patents for the cars optional rear landaulet roof, and it’s probable that he also worked on the front end, however it’s entirely possible a third designer, perhaps even Morris Markin himself, designed the front end, whose main claim to fame was that it is so ugly, you could see it coming from up to half-a-mile away.

The headlights were modern oval units mounted to the front fenders in the typical fashion, however those beams were surrounded by massive chrome-plated art-moderne shields unlike any seen on any other vehicle. Body colored louvered valances provided cooling to the radiator which was hidden behind the solid beak that extender downwards from the center of the hood.
The short wheelbase Model A included a purpose-built 124-inch wheelbase chassis with a traditional solid front and live rear axles supported by longitudinal leaf springs. The independent front suspensions found on other manufacturer’s vehicles were easily knocked out of alignment and were far too fragile for taxicab use.

The Model A included a number of more practical innovations such as an automatic signal that alerted pedestrians when the cab was put into reverse, padded finger guards on the rear door edges and rear seats that were stuffed with synthetic rubber cushions.
The Model A was introduced mid-year and was powered by a Continental Red Seal Six, an engine that would become standard equipment until 1965 when the firm adopted a General Motors powerplant. The John H. Tuttle-designed sunroof and landaulet rear top were optionally available on either of the two available wheelbases.

A period review called the Model A:
"...the most radical innovation of the entire taxicab industry this year. Checker's disappearing top is attracting widespread attention in the larger cities where its Parmelee system fleets operate.... The all-metal landaulet can be opened or closed by the driver in 40 seconds, without moving from his seat...the cab is equipped with a glass roof that can be readily opened or closed by the driver at the will of his fare."

The model A was the last prewar Checker taxicab, and only a single survivor, a long-wheelbase model equipped with the landaulet roof, exists. At the start of the war Markin donated the Model A’s body dies to melted down for the war effort.

Info from and read all about the Check taxi cab manufacturer here http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/c/checker/checker.htm

1957 Chevrolet El Morocco, one of the rarest Chevs, it was customized with Dodge, Kaiser, and Willys parts

The primary reason for the low production numbers was the $800 conversion price which moved it too far out of reach for most consumers. It was too close to the base price for a Cadillac
It's the first time an outside contractor had designed and built a customized Chevrolet model which was later sold as a new car with a full factory warranty. The bodywork was restyled to resemble the 1955-1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, Seville and Brougham by R. Allender & Company

The primary reason for the low production numbers was the $800 conversion price which moved it too far out of reach for most consumers. It was too close to the base price for a Cadillac, which was the target to beat.

Cadillac introduced their Eldorado Brougham, not in spite or in competition with the El Morocco, but Allender felt the need to create a new El Morocco to emulate the new Brougham.
Allender was a longtime Cadillac owner who envisioned a smaller, easier to maneuver Cadillac that his grandchildren could learn to drive with. He purchased a new Eldorado Biarritz convertible in 1955 and reckoned that with some additional bodywork, the new 1955 Chevrolet could be re-styled to resemble the Eldorado.

Problems with the fiberglass body production for the 1956 cars led to the use of steel for the 1957 models. This required comprehensive metalwork changes, including removing and filling the 1957′s rocket hood spears with steel, and welding on the steel rear tail-fin extensions. The car’s interiors and exterior hardware was set aside for reuse or sale to local collision shops.

The first cars were created in 1956 on Chevrolet platforms and designed to resemble the 1955 and 1956 Cadillac Eldorado. The name ‘El Morocco‘ was from a popular Manhattan night club and had similarities to the name ‘El Dorado’.

The 1956 El Moroco’s featured body panels made of fiberglass. A host of trim parts and designed were borrowed from Willys, Dodge and Kaiser-Frazer to complete the package
http://caretro.com/1957-chevrolet-el-morocco/

Cars were purchased from Detroit’s Don McCoullagh Chevrolet at $50 over cost, and Allender used off-the-shelf parts wherever possible. The 1956 El Morocco included a Kaiser-Frazer horn button for its hood medallion, ’55 Willys dash panels for the door top saddle moldings and '55-'56 Dodge Coronet taillights mounted side-by-side above faux exhaust ports that resembled those used on the real Biarritz. The front bumpers included fiberglass reinforced ‘Dagmars’ made from reversed ’37 Dodge headlight shells and the rear fins were edged with trim supposedly sourced from a 1955 Ford.

How did Allender get to customizing Chevies for resale? He was a resale artist. He started his business career and fortunes by pitching fabrics for sale, he would cut off samples of cloths, then take them around and pitch his sales prices. Getting the contract, he'd go back, purchase at wholesale, and sell retail and pocket some profit, and build his business to the point he bought army surplus parachutes, and sold them back to the army at a huge gouging profit. He got into a lot of trouble for that, had to testify before Congress that he wasn't a crook.
http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/a/allender/allender.htm
Three El Moroccos were at Dick Clarks "57 Heaven" in Branson Missouri
http://www.bransonworld.com/branson-attractions/detail/branson-57-heaven-at-dick-clark-s-american-bandstand-theater.html

The Crawford Auto and Aviation museum in Cleveland

The AMX prototype, why anyone thought a rumble seat was a selling point in a car that would normally be driven over 50 mph... I doubt that anyone would enjoy that for very long.
Franklin in front, (Stanley Steamer in the back ) they look odd because they were aircooled, and didn't need the normal radiator looking front end
A 1910 Hupmobile that went around the world to prove it's durability
Owen magnetic... only 4 are said to exist, one is in this Cleveland Ohio museum, one is in the Nethercutt near Burbank Ca.

In 1900, there were over 1000 small auto manufacturers coexisting in the United States, over 70 of them in Cleveland.

The first auto sold in the US came from Cleveland's Winton Motors in 1897; the first car to make use of steel ball bearings was Cleveland's Baker Motors; and the first use of the French word "automobile" in conjunction with the US car industry was by Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter, Charles Shanks, in 1899.

The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum was formed in 1963 with the private collection of Mr. Crawford's company Thompson Products at its core. (Thompson Products later diversified and became TRW, Inc.) The museum showcases 200 classic automobiles, among them 80 cars that originated in Cleveland. An online quick look is at http://cleveland.about.com/od/clevelandattractions/ss/crawford.htm

the above photos are from http://www.carlustblog.com/2011/04/crawford-auto-aviation-museum.html#more

The Shelby GT 350 S, first non white GT 350, it was the Paxton prototype. By the time production would have started the idea changed to an option

found on http://www.paxtonauto.com/article.php?id=3

Click on the image for the full size to read the writing, but basically it's a publicity-press release shot in the event that the GT 350 S were put into production, like the GT 350 H (Hertz rent a racer program)

1934 150 Sport Roadster Mercedes Benz, one of 5 made, only one left just restored last year by the Irvine Merc. Benz Classic Center

Click on the above for the story of the finding of, and acquistion of this rare Benz, and final restoration by the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in Irvine - not the Stuttgart Mercedes Benz Center! Huh!

1971 Lincoln Continental Farm and Ranch special, some exec thought Lincoln owners needed a truck 30 years before the 2001 Blackwood

How about that? It's the earliest Lincoln truck I've ever seen, and the only Ranchero like Lincoln I've ever seen. The 2001 Lincoln Blackwood was the Neiman Marcus special 50, and in 2002 they made the truck for one year. Basically it was a upscale F150 cab with an outsourced bed.

Found on http://caughtatthecurb.blogspot.com/2011/04/1971-lincoln-continental-mark-iii-farm.html and on Ebay with a reserve that is higher than the bidding is ever going to get. $5855 so far.

1911 Oldsmobile Limited, series 27 / limousine, biggest tires ever factory installed on a car

The fine print in the above ID card tell us that this is the only one left in existance, and that the tires are 43".

I just learned of Dodge Trucks I've never heard of before

This and the next are Macho Power Wagons

The below is the 1979 Palomino: Palominos were built from Feb 1st thru the end of the 1979 production year

Below is the 1980 Dodge Bighorn, Palomino spin-off truck.

Below are all Spirit of '76: Was a special package available in 1976 to celebrate America 's Bicenntenial. It came with a special decal that ran down the side of the truck and cloth or vinyl interior.

Spirit of '76- Available as Sweptline or Utiline http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/06/true-spirit-by-dodge.html

Top Hand was one I photographed and forgot: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/04/restored-1970s-dodge-trucks-were-at.html

Lil Red Express are the best known of any of the trucks: http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2007/05/dodge-lil-red-express-truck.html

Southbounder

Snofiter- 6ft box, with plow package
SnoCommander- 8ft box with plow package
Macho Power Wagon- Available on Power Wagon's only and only sweptline beds
True Spirit- Built from '76-'78 and sold only in California, available on all pickups, but Power Wagons were most popular
Californian- California Dealer option
Big Horn- '80 only spin off of Palomino
Warlock-Available in red, blue, green, black, brown

The were mentioned on
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42227

True Spirit: The True Spirit was first produced in 1976 with about 200-250 being produced that year. They were a "test the waters" type of vehicle, along with the Warlock (but didn't do as well as the much more popular Warlock), so therefore True Spirits were only sold in the Southern California and Arizona markets. The last year of production was 1978. According to Skip Gibbs book “Truckin thru the 70’s” less than 250 True Spirits were built in 1976 and those, along with the original batch of Warlocks were sent to dealers in San Francisco and LA to test market reaction to a factory custom truck. Contrasting pinstriping w/L'il Red Express-Warlock type design over each fender. "True Spirit by Dodge" logo on tailgate only. They were produced in both Utiline Shortbed and Sweptline Shortbed body styles and also in 2WD and 4WD.

1980 BigHorn: 1980 Big Horn was a spin off of the 79 Palomino truck, and had the same saddle blanket seat, with a similar indian motif.

'77 Warlock: colors (Bright Canyon Red, Green Sunfire Metallic, and Black sunfire metallic) Available with V8 or V6, Front Disk Brakes, Sky Lite Roof, A/C, LoadFlite Automatic transmission, sliding rear window. 2WD or 4WD (courtesy of 1977 Dodge Pickups Brochure)

'78 Warlock: colors (Bright Canyon Red, Medium Green Sunfire Metallic, Formal Black, Citreon Green Metallic, Sunrise Orange). (courtesy of 1978 Dodge Pickups Brochure)

'78 Macho Power Wagon: Full Time 4 wheel drive, 318 Cubic Inch V8, Factory bed roll bar, Special decal trim for: Body side, hood & tailgate, Special 2-tone paint, black painted bumpers and Spoked Road wheels (Factory Wagon Wheels), Bucket seats, Power Steering, Tinted glass, and 10-15LT-B tires. (courtesy of 1978 Dodge Pickups Brochure)

Text and photos are all due to Nick Winters who emailed it to me very kindly so we all could learn more about the rare Dodge truck options!