New York to Paris by Automobile 1908

I was not aware of the automobile race from New York west to Paris in 1908 until I recently enjoyed the audiobook version of America 1908. The automobile was in its infancy, and teams from France, Germany, Italy and the United States competed in the race, which the upstart Americans won in a 1907 Thomas Flyer. This image depicts the Americans stopping to assist the German team in Siberia.

1912 Mercer Sportabout

It was worth a cool $625,000.00 according to Hemmings Motor News.

Grandpa Isenhour's 1939 Packard

I recently posted here about my Grandpa Isenhour's 1939 Packard. Mom asked my Uncle Mack if he had a photograph of the Packard, and he kindly sent her this one with Grandpa posing next to it. According to Uncle Mack, the only cars Grandpa ever owned were a Model A Ford, the Packard, a 1950 Ford and a 1952 Chevy.

I remember the Ford, which used to sit inoperable at the back of the driveway at their house in Hickory, North Carolina. My sisters, our cousins and I used to play in and on the old Ford. There was always a sack of feed corn in the back seat because Grandpa used the car to store feed for his chickens.

1939 Packard

This is 1939 Packard Touring Sedan, from Car Lust. I seem to remember that my Grandpa Isenhour owned a Packard at some point in his life and that he was quite proud of it.

UPDATE (From Mom):

Yes Daddy owned a 1939 Packard. I will check with Mack to see if he has a picture of the Packard in its last days. Daddy sold it, and we all wanted it back so he bought it back and kept it for a while longer. He finally entered it in the Demolition Derby in Hickory, [North Carolina,] and it won. We have a picture of it with the win streamer on it somewhere. I have a pic also of Daddy, Mack, Me and Joan standing beside it. I have my lip stuck out because he had just fussed at us for something. It was quite a snazzy car in its day. Love. Mom

1943 Parking Lot

This photograph was taken in 1943 in Chicago. I found it on the Hemmings Motor News blog, where they invite readers to try to name the make and model of the vehicles in the parking lot of the U.S. Army Consolidation Station. One of the comments points out how drab the automobiles are in comparison to the brightly colored trucks.

2011 FIAT FreakOut

Nashville's Centennial Park, always a nice venue for an outdoor event, recently hosted the 2011 FIAT FreakOut. (Via Car Lust)