The miracle of America Museum in Polson, Montana has quite the hodgepodge collection inside, but the first thing one sees upon approaching it is this cast of characters. Of course you know what they are. And here’s another one gracing the skyline:
At least one of them is American, although not exactly a miracle.
That last one’s a Crosley, ’46 or so.
I can’t really identify ’em but you’re reminding me I need to get a shot of one of the local independent mechanics who has a very tall sign with an old pickup at the top as his advertising.
The top one is an Austin a-90 Atlantic. Austin of England thought that this was what the americans wanted- an underpowered bargy convertible with three ‘A’ shaped hood ornaments. All of the good taste and design flair of one of those tin plate generic wind up toy cars. Cool now though, but I couldn’t see who would pay the same for this as a genuine Roadmaster convertible.
The other one has me stumped! BMW 600 ‘big isetta’ maybe?
That really is the highest and best use for an Austin Atlantic A-90.
A 90 Atlantic rare and quite collectable now Lloyd Hansa bubble car and a Crossley.
Right Brian, the red and white car is a BMW Isetta 600. Two doors, one visible for the back seat, and of course the one on the front. Weirdo!
http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tour/bmw600-yellow.html
So…what’s the two-wheeler?
You tell me:
Mangels Machine Works? Now there’s a name that inspires confidence!
Bitza
All this place needs is one of those giant fiberglas lumberjacks that usually hold a giant axe, only here, make it a giant wrench!
It’s a miracle the sheet-metal engine block in that Crosley ever ran! Maybe that’s why it’s gone.
The copper brazed CoBra, also known as “The Mighty Tin”, was built for extreme lightness, so CoBra-equipped generators, compressors and such could be air-dropped during the war. Powel Crosley put them in his cars afterwards. 44 cu. in., 26 hp., 133 lbs. complete with accessories.
The wag who wrote the Wikipedia article says, “corrosion became a problem for these engines in long-term service, as in automobiles. These problems led to a tarnished reputation by 1948..”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosley#Crosley_CoBra_.281945.E2.80.931949.29
PS: See the Crosley in its postwar context down near the bottom of Jeff Nelson’s comprehensive VJ Day review;
http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-celebrating-v-j-day-when-cars-came-home-from-the-war/
I almost forget – I have a photo of an Isuzu three-wheel truck I shot on Okinawa back in 1970. I might as well include it here.
Paul, feel free to use the photo or request me to re-send if you can use it for anything on three-wheelers in the future.
The semi-trailer the cars are sitting on in the title picture was a Consolidated Freightways or Con-Way Trailmobile. The size, font and placement of the lettering is a dead give away.