Random Video: Chevrolet Streamlines (1936)

Now we’ve said this before but the older pre-war films just show how easy it is to demonstrate to the general public how complicated principals work. This film produced by Chevrolet in 1936 easily and practically shows the aerodynamic principles that are used in car design. I love the comment about fully streamlined cars of the future being able to do 120mph while providing economic and efficiency!!! It just shows how far we’ve come with the BMW X1.

Audi Jaray “Ugly Duckling”

I was at the Alltypes show at Bodelwyddan Castle last weekend, there early as I was on a club stand and I was watching an enclosed transporter pull up in front of the Club Audi stand, thinking “someone must have too much time on their hands” my jaw hit the floor when this rolled out of the back. The Audi 1923 Jaray “Ugly Duckling” recreation you know the one from the recent TV advert, it was on load from Audi UK and what a scoop to have on your club stand.

Airomobile Experimental Sedan

In the 1930’s with streamlining at its height all manner of vehicles were being built. One of them was this 3 wheeler built by Lewis American Airways Inc, in 1937. Conceived by owner Paul Lewis who wanted to build a cheap car for the masses with a price tag of just $300. His idea was a 3 wheeler, why? As its chassis doesn’t twist unlike a 4 wheeler, which means less bracing and therefore makes it cheaper to build.

Opel Blitzbus Ludewig "Aero"

It’s amazing where you get inspiration, spotted this vehicle in a model shop that was closing down as a 1/72 kit, its streamlined body with coach style seating but low headroom instantly peaked my interest.

During the 30’s car styling had embraced the streamlined form and Ludwig Brothers, who produced bodies of their own design on to truck chassis from various producers, had particular success with its streamlined Blitz truck for Opel.

Labatt’s Streamliners

After my father-in-law complained that there wasn’t enough trucks on the website I thought it was about time to rectify that. This is what I found, the Labatt’s streamliner truck, I think you’ll agree it fits The Petrol Stop perfectly.

In the mid 1930’s Labatt’s decided to start transporting its beer by road rather than rail, seeing this as a possible way also to grab the attention of the public it, also at this time advertising alcohol was still banned so they would act as an advertising tool as well. They commissioned Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky, of coachbuilders Van den Plas in 1935 to build a fleet of streamliner trucks. The tractor units were White overcabs that were heavily reworked however the trailers were practically scratch built. Due to the shape it’s made out of a wooden body tub, with rolled aluminium covering it. They were the first truly aerodynamic trucks and won “Best Design” award at the 1939 New York World’s Fair!!!!! They even had modern technology built into them with an innovative anti-jack-knifing device in the fifth wheel and were the first to use air brakes.

The Decoliner

Looking like something out of 30’s comic or Flash Gordon, this is ones man’s vision of a futuristic mobile home from the 30’s/40’s, the ultimate land yacht. From concept to realisation the skill involved cannot be under estimated. Taking a humble 1973 GMC Motorhome due to its front wheel drove layout then combining it with a modified cab from a 1955 White COE and fabricating the whole structure and body by hand is no mean feat.