Back when I first entered the auto driving fraternity, I had a very unpopular preference for the "underdogs" manufactured by Studebaker, Nash, Hudson, and Willys Overland. My brother Bud's first car was a Hudson "Terraplane." It was a very reliable car and needed little inthe way of maintenance. After trading it in, he bought a 1940 Nash "Business Coupe;" a car that I really fell in love with, but at age 15 going on 16, never had a chance to buy it. When I came of age, I bought a '37 ford business coupe that rattled and rode like a horse drawn cart. Along came my buddy Ernie Plaag who sold me his 1940 Studebaker President. I sold my Ford for 25 bucks and bought Ernie's Studebaker; the car I wish I had today. It was the most reliable car I owned in my early years of driving. I had a very strong attraction to the "orphan" manufacturers who were the victim of a commonly held position back in the day that my choice of cars was not good due to the lack of trade in value when compared to the big 3. If a car was kept in good condition, you would always get a good price at trade in. I didn't buy that shop-warn propaganda then, and I don't buy it now, these 60 years later. I graduated to a 1949 Willys "Aerolark" that was for sale at Reedman Motors when they maintained a little lot at North Olden and Prospect Street back in the early '50's. What a wonderful car it was! It rode like a dream and handled the same way. I loved the "hill holder" on my '40 Studebaker and the Weather Eye on my brother's Nash. Those orphan cars were quality built and had many features that the big 3 offered in later years. My last encounter with orphans was my 1959 Rambler 4 door cedan. Two tone green with push button transmission on the dasy. I wish I had kept that one, too. Orphans? Maybe to those stuck in the "Big 3" circle, but many of us orphan owners know better!
My uncle Frank Chiarello drove a horse drawn milk truck.I remember him delivering milk around the burg and the horse was a big attraction.We tried to jump on his milk truck and the ice truck and got chased away.30'S and 40's in the burg.
LEE
Tom
A buddy heard a crash and ran down the block as we boys would do, and it was a walk in delivery truck, where the driver stood and drove. Johnny never ran to another accident again.
Ron
The car show would have been, sometime around 1980 or so. I left Patterson Chevrolet in 1984. I knew your cousin, if it is Herb Conover. He was a salesman, when I was there and became a manager, after I left. I remember Herb having a 1961 or '62 Corvette. rayfromvillapark
Did you know Bob Hope or Mike Ferrara? They both worked for Patterson? Also I think you mentioned once that you also knew my cousin Jimmy Montani. He purchased his cars there and wash the outside and the motor. You mentioned him riding his bike.
Jim Montani was a gentleman. A mild mannered and very sociable man. He purchased the grocery store at the corner of Lyndale and Centennial, from Harry Miller. I lived right across the street. I remember his Reo panel truck, painted a bright Orange, used for deliveries. I went to school with his daughter, Roseann. Later, when he retired, he found out I worked at Patterson, and would ride his bike over to visit me, quite often. We had some great conversations. I know he lived well into his nineties. You meet some great people on this journey through life. rayfromvillapark