luxury cars 1940s image
Richard
Choose one of the two along with what car model and explain why.
Answer
A classic car easily wins, for aesthetic appeal: lots of the old cars simply had character and style.
The cars of the 1920s and 1930s bespoke luxury; even the "cheap" cars usually had some feature or aspect that was simply beautiful. Not all were practical, and maintenance costs could be extreme if the car was driven often or for "great" distances: the fenders would crack from vibration, etc.
The cars of the 1940s and 1950s were attractive for a different reason -- and, at least generally -- reliability, efficiency and utility were all greatly improved.
Power has always been in vogue, but the 1960s saw an explosion in its availability.
There are variations on these themes throughout automotive history: a decade-long generalization is far too broad to recognize developments within the decade, and many trends began in one decade and disappeared in another -- only to reappear in a later decade.
Engine swaps and other types of modification enable the possibility of retaining the style and luxury of earlier automobiles while adding the reliability, efficiency and environmental friendliness of modern technological improvements.
So, ignoring the possibility of making my own ride from scratch, I'd probably go with something like a 1971 Ford Boss 351 (or other trim level based on the 63R body code), or a 1994 Mazda RX-7 with the manual trans -- or, if I was feeling like a purist and I was looking for a family car, the 1989 Ford SHO Taurus.
In the case of the SHO, mine ran 14.86 @ 101.0, 142 mph sustainable cruising speed (also the top speed), got 28.3 mpg on a 6-stop run averaging 95 mph for 388 miles, and returned its best (highway) fuel economy of 36 mpg while commuting with the cruise set at 75 mph.
The combination of acceleration, speed, reliability and fuel economy in a car having great comfort and decent room (I consider the Taurus a "mid-size" car) makes the 1989 SHO my choice for the best car yet made. Reliability problems attributed to its transmission/transaxle were actually the fault of shoddy final assembly by US workers, who left the clips out of the shift linkage grommets.
The SHO's problem was exacerbated by the incompetence of Ford's dealer network to maintain Ford vehicles. Beyond that, the Goodyear tires were good for fuel economy but (in 1989) were insanely expensive as the only other car with that size tire was the 60k+ Acura NSX (which in those days was impressive for its performance), and they didn't last when driven hard.
In 1989, got a set of Kelly Springfield shoes for my SHO for less than 1/4 the price of a replacement set of Eagles; the Kellys had a lower speed rating, and they were so "grippy" that they actually lowered the top speed to 135 mph. Cornering improved with the Kellys, but they didn't give the warning that the Goodyears did: they were more of a "driver's tire."
Peak fuel economy with the Kellys dropped to 28 mpg during my commutes.
I test-drove the 1994 RX-7; it performed brilliantly (ever done a 1-g drift across an unguarded ramp having a 50+ foot drop at the edge of the shoulder-less pavement: it's a boaner-fide thrill!), but the Bose sound system was junk and the panels lying in the "rear seat" area (I forget what they were called) didn't fit anywhere close to properly, which made me suspicious of the overall quality of the car.
My Type I Volkswagen Beetle Sunroof Sedan (I think it was from the 1950s) had the most comfortable seats and the best ergonomics of any car I've ever been in, and no vehicle of which I have any firsthand knowledge has ever exceeded any reasonable estimation of possible performance to the degree evinced by the 1968 Ford F-100 LWB Styleside pickup with the 360 V8.
Having said all that, my favorite is still the 1971 Mustang Mach-1 or Boss 351, in metallic argent, with black stripes and the "ram air" hood (blacked-out scoop, blah blah), the front and rear spoilers. It's simply beautiful. Would I make improvements to it? Yes, and when I got done, it wouldn't be a 1971 car, anymore -- but that's what makes it a classic, to me.
A classic car easily wins, for aesthetic appeal: lots of the old cars simply had character and style.
The cars of the 1920s and 1930s bespoke luxury; even the "cheap" cars usually had some feature or aspect that was simply beautiful. Not all were practical, and maintenance costs could be extreme if the car was driven often or for "great" distances: the fenders would crack from vibration, etc.
The cars of the 1940s and 1950s were attractive for a different reason -- and, at least generally -- reliability, efficiency and utility were all greatly improved.
Power has always been in vogue, but the 1960s saw an explosion in its availability.
There are variations on these themes throughout automotive history: a decade-long generalization is far too broad to recognize developments within the decade, and many trends began in one decade and disappeared in another -- only to reappear in a later decade.
Engine swaps and other types of modification enable the possibility of retaining the style and luxury of earlier automobiles while adding the reliability, efficiency and environmental friendliness of modern technological improvements.
So, ignoring the possibility of making my own ride from scratch, I'd probably go with something like a 1971 Ford Boss 351 (or other trim level based on the 63R body code), or a 1994 Mazda RX-7 with the manual trans -- or, if I was feeling like a purist and I was looking for a family car, the 1989 Ford SHO Taurus.
In the case of the SHO, mine ran 14.86 @ 101.0, 142 mph sustainable cruising speed (also the top speed), got 28.3 mpg on a 6-stop run averaging 95 mph for 388 miles, and returned its best (highway) fuel economy of 36 mpg while commuting with the cruise set at 75 mph.
The combination of acceleration, speed, reliability and fuel economy in a car having great comfort and decent room (I consider the Taurus a "mid-size" car) makes the 1989 SHO my choice for the best car yet made. Reliability problems attributed to its transmission/transaxle were actually the fault of shoddy final assembly by US workers, who left the clips out of the shift linkage grommets.
The SHO's problem was exacerbated by the incompetence of Ford's dealer network to maintain Ford vehicles. Beyond that, the Goodyear tires were good for fuel economy but (in 1989) were insanely expensive as the only other car with that size tire was the 60k+ Acura NSX (which in those days was impressive for its performance), and they didn't last when driven hard.
In 1989, got a set of Kelly Springfield shoes for my SHO for less than 1/4 the price of a replacement set of Eagles; the Kellys had a lower speed rating, and they were so "grippy" that they actually lowered the top speed to 135 mph. Cornering improved with the Kellys, but they didn't give the warning that the Goodyears did: they were more of a "driver's tire."
Peak fuel economy with the Kellys dropped to 28 mpg during my commutes.
I test-drove the 1994 RX-7; it performed brilliantly (ever done a 1-g drift across an unguarded ramp having a 50+ foot drop at the edge of the shoulder-less pavement: it's a boaner-fide thrill!), but the Bose sound system was junk and the panels lying in the "rear seat" area (I forget what they were called) didn't fit anywhere close to properly, which made me suspicious of the overall quality of the car.
My Type I Volkswagen Beetle Sunroof Sedan (I think it was from the 1950s) had the most comfortable seats and the best ergonomics of any car I've ever been in, and no vehicle of which I have any firsthand knowledge has ever exceeded any reasonable estimation of possible performance to the degree evinced by the 1968 Ford F-100 LWB Styleside pickup with the 360 V8.
Having said all that, my favorite is still the 1971 Mustang Mach-1 or Boss 351, in metallic argent, with black stripes and the "ram air" hood (blacked-out scoop, blah blah), the front and rear spoilers. It's simply beautiful. Would I make improvements to it? Yes, and when I got done, it wouldn't be a 1971 car, anymore -- but that's what makes it a classic, to me.
Who introduced the taxi ?
Shangrala
Who introduced the taxi to Alaska?
Answer
Taxi -> a motor vehicle licensed to transport passengers in return for payment of a fare.
origin ->early 20th cent.: abbrev. of taxicab or taximeter cab
taxicab
Horse-drawn for-hire hackney carriage services began
operating in both Paris and London in the early 17th century. Royal proclamations in both cities regulated the number of carriages--the first example of taxicab regulation. In the 19th century, Hansom cabs largely replaced the older designs because of their improved speed and safety.
Although battery-powered vehicles enjoyed a brief success in Paris, London, and New York in the 1890s, the 1891 invention by German Wilhelm Bruhn of the taximeter (the familiar mechanical and now often electronic device that calculates the fare in most taxis) ushered in the modern taxi. (The "taxi" in "taximeter" is related to the word "tax," or "rate.") The first modern meter-equipped taxi was the Daimler Victoria, built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897; the first motorized taxi company began operating in Stuttgart the same year.
Petrol powered taxis began operating in Paris in 1899, in London in 1903, and in New York in 1907. The New York taxis were imported from France by businessperson Harry N. Allen, who adapted the French word taxi-mètre and coined the word "taxicab" to describe the vehicles he was importing. In time, the shortened term "taxi" came into common usage. (Allen was also the first person to paint his taxis yellow, after learning that yellow is the colour most easily seen from a distance.)
The yellow taxicabs of New York City.Taxis proliferated around the world in the early 20th century. The first major innovation after the invention of the taximeter occurred in the late 1940s, when two-way radios first appeared in taxicabs. Radios enabled taxis and dispatch offices to communicate and serve customers more efficiently than previous methods, such as using callboxes. The next major innovation occurred in the 1980s, when computer assisted dispatching was first introduced.
There has generally been a legal struggle concerning the certification of motor vehicles to be taxis, which take much more wear than a private car does. In Britain, they were additionally required to meet stringent specifications, for example, as concerns turn radius, which resulted for a time in having only one make legally usable. In the US, in the 1930s the cabs were often DeSotos or Packards. General Motors offered a specialized vehicle for a time, named the General. The firm Checker came into existence then, and went out of business in the 1970s. Its cars were specially built to carry "double dates." But now New York City requires that all taxicabs be ordinary cars. They are usually large Fords. In the 1960s in Europe, Mercedes Benz and Peugeot offered diesel taxicabs. This form of engine is now quite common there
Taxis around the world
The advent of Taxi Cabs in the State of Queensland began about thirty years before the turn of the 20th century. This of course was long before motorised vehicles; in fact, horse drawn taxis had been used in Europe in the early 1800's. Australia adopted the use of them once cities were established, and in the case of Queensland, Brisbane introduced the first horse drawn taxis, which plied through out the city area. These also included Hansom Cabs, a more elaborate type with a closed in cabin for the passengers, having two small front doors and glass windows and their driver sitting high at the back. This type of vehicle was a standard type used in England. Its use was confined mainly for upper class people; such as Luxury motor vehicles which are operated as hire cars nowadays.
It is interesting to note that Hansom Cabs were still being used in Brisbane until 1935, and were emanating from a rank outside the Supreme Court in George Street.
Motor vehicle taxis were introduced into Australia not long after they were put into service in Great Britain and Europe.
First Motorised Taxis In Australia
In 1906, Sydney inaugurated motorised taxicabs, followed soon after by the other states including Queensland, in approximately, 1907.
The taxis of the period including a variety of types, with tourers and sedans, the latter were mainly French built Renaults, which were designed as taxis, not unlike the Hansom Cabs. Brisbane had a number of them that plied from the ranks outside Parliament House in Alice Street, and The Supreme Court in George Street. As applied to the Hansom Cabs, the Renaults catered mainly for gentlemen of standing, including Judges, Barristers and other notables. The drivers wore uniforms with leggings, the same as those worn by chauffeurs of horse drawn carriages.
It is worth mentioning at this stage, that each large taxi company had telephones installed in a steel box type cover at city and suburban ranks, direct to the switch control rooms in the city.
Although motor vehicle taxis were being used at the time, horse drawn taxis continued in use in Brisbane until the early 1920's, however, only a few. The country towns still had them a little longer.
The progress through the years included many types of tourers from the 1910 era until the late 1920's, with British and American cars predominating. Makes featured such names as Buick, Dodge, Talbot, Vauxhall, Saxon, Ford, Chandler, Studebaker, Chevrolet, Hupmobile, Whippet, Oldsmobile, Marmon, Pontiac, Hudson, Oakland, Erskine, Rugby, Essex and Chrysler.
Sedans were added during the late 1920's and included similar makes of vehicles.
This was the case with all cars being imported into Australia until World War II began. The American cars proved more suitable to Australian motoring conditions especially for taxi work.
General Motors Corporation built thousands in Australia, as did the other American companies including Ford and Chrysler.
Prior to a taxi company being formed in Queensland, owners of taxis simply had signs on the vehicles indicating "For Hire" painted on the side, front and rear.
Prior to 1924, all taxis plied for hire without a means of recording the mileage, other than the driver himself calculating the fare according to how far he drove his passengers. There was a fare scale, however, the driver could charge whatever he thought was nearest to the amount specified. This no doubt, brought about the introduction of meters.
Taxi -> a motor vehicle licensed to transport passengers in return for payment of a fare.
origin ->early 20th cent.: abbrev. of taxicab or taximeter cab
taxicab
Horse-drawn for-hire hackney carriage services began
operating in both Paris and London in the early 17th century. Royal proclamations in both cities regulated the number of carriages--the first example of taxicab regulation. In the 19th century, Hansom cabs largely replaced the older designs because of their improved speed and safety.
Although battery-powered vehicles enjoyed a brief success in Paris, London, and New York in the 1890s, the 1891 invention by German Wilhelm Bruhn of the taximeter (the familiar mechanical and now often electronic device that calculates the fare in most taxis) ushered in the modern taxi. (The "taxi" in "taximeter" is related to the word "tax," or "rate.") The first modern meter-equipped taxi was the Daimler Victoria, built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897; the first motorized taxi company began operating in Stuttgart the same year.
Petrol powered taxis began operating in Paris in 1899, in London in 1903, and in New York in 1907. The New York taxis were imported from France by businessperson Harry N. Allen, who adapted the French word taxi-mètre and coined the word "taxicab" to describe the vehicles he was importing. In time, the shortened term "taxi" came into common usage. (Allen was also the first person to paint his taxis yellow, after learning that yellow is the colour most easily seen from a distance.)
The yellow taxicabs of New York City.Taxis proliferated around the world in the early 20th century. The first major innovation after the invention of the taximeter occurred in the late 1940s, when two-way radios first appeared in taxicabs. Radios enabled taxis and dispatch offices to communicate and serve customers more efficiently than previous methods, such as using callboxes. The next major innovation occurred in the 1980s, when computer assisted dispatching was first introduced.
There has generally been a legal struggle concerning the certification of motor vehicles to be taxis, which take much more wear than a private car does. In Britain, they were additionally required to meet stringent specifications, for example, as concerns turn radius, which resulted for a time in having only one make legally usable. In the US, in the 1930s the cabs were often DeSotos or Packards. General Motors offered a specialized vehicle for a time, named the General. The firm Checker came into existence then, and went out of business in the 1970s. Its cars were specially built to carry "double dates." But now New York City requires that all taxicabs be ordinary cars. They are usually large Fords. In the 1960s in Europe, Mercedes Benz and Peugeot offered diesel taxicabs. This form of engine is now quite common there
Taxis around the world
The advent of Taxi Cabs in the State of Queensland began about thirty years before the turn of the 20th century. This of course was long before motorised vehicles; in fact, horse drawn taxis had been used in Europe in the early 1800's. Australia adopted the use of them once cities were established, and in the case of Queensland, Brisbane introduced the first horse drawn taxis, which plied through out the city area. These also included Hansom Cabs, a more elaborate type with a closed in cabin for the passengers, having two small front doors and glass windows and their driver sitting high at the back. This type of vehicle was a standard type used in England. Its use was confined mainly for upper class people; such as Luxury motor vehicles which are operated as hire cars nowadays.
It is interesting to note that Hansom Cabs were still being used in Brisbane until 1935, and were emanating from a rank outside the Supreme Court in George Street.
Motor vehicle taxis were introduced into Australia not long after they were put into service in Great Britain and Europe.
First Motorised Taxis In Australia
In 1906, Sydney inaugurated motorised taxicabs, followed soon after by the other states including Queensland, in approximately, 1907.
The taxis of the period including a variety of types, with tourers and sedans, the latter were mainly French built Renaults, which were designed as taxis, not unlike the Hansom Cabs. Brisbane had a number of them that plied from the ranks outside Parliament House in Alice Street, and The Supreme Court in George Street. As applied to the Hansom Cabs, the Renaults catered mainly for gentlemen of standing, including Judges, Barristers and other notables. The drivers wore uniforms with leggings, the same as those worn by chauffeurs of horse drawn carriages.
It is worth mentioning at this stage, that each large taxi company had telephones installed in a steel box type cover at city and suburban ranks, direct to the switch control rooms in the city.
Although motor vehicle taxis were being used at the time, horse drawn taxis continued in use in Brisbane until the early 1920's, however, only a few. The country towns still had them a little longer.
The progress through the years included many types of tourers from the 1910 era until the late 1920's, with British and American cars predominating. Makes featured such names as Buick, Dodge, Talbot, Vauxhall, Saxon, Ford, Chandler, Studebaker, Chevrolet, Hupmobile, Whippet, Oldsmobile, Marmon, Pontiac, Hudson, Oakland, Erskine, Rugby, Essex and Chrysler.
Sedans were added during the late 1920's and included similar makes of vehicles.
This was the case with all cars being imported into Australia until World War II began. The American cars proved more suitable to Australian motoring conditions especially for taxi work.
General Motors Corporation built thousands in Australia, as did the other American companies including Ford and Chrysler.
Prior to a taxi company being formed in Queensland, owners of taxis simply had signs on the vehicles indicating "For Hire" painted on the side, front and rear.
Prior to 1924, all taxis plied for hire without a means of recording the mileage, other than the driver himself calculating the fare according to how far he drove his passengers. There was a fare scale, however, the driver could charge whatever he thought was nearest to the amount specified. This no doubt, brought about the introduction of meters.
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