News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Opinion

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
May 8, 2012

LIZ CIANCONE: Drive down memory lane with vintage cars

Liz Ciancone Special to the Tribune-Star

I got to the sports center the other morning and found Ben, Diane and Ron in a serious discussion about cars — vintage cars.

My interest in cars is slim and ends when I find one which can get me to where I want to go, and then back home. Still, I had to look when Ben flashed that little hand-held bit of electronics and called up a picture of a car and asked if I remembered a car like that. Ah, those gadgets! Well, of course I remembered it. I remember when it was actually state-of-the-art and not just a beautifully restored ’30s coupe. I remember riding in the rumble seat of a similar model.

To retaliate, I asked if any of them remembered the Velie, the family transportation of my earliest memory. Ron allowed as how he had never heard of it. So, Ben diddled a bit with his gadget and called up a picture of the Velie I remembered so well.

I don’t actually remember that much about it except that it looked like a box on wheels, was as heavy as a tank and had wooden spokes on the wheels. I do know that it had none of those modern conveniences we now expect: no heater, no air conditioning, no radio, no tape deck or CD player, no GPS system, no directional signals (we used hand signals), and no little screen to drop down and provide entertainment for the kids in the back seat on those long family trips.

I think it was about 1934 when Dad decided to trade in the Velie. He said it was because they were going to begin making cars with streamlined front ends. So, he bought a 1934 Ford V8. Sure enough, the 1935 model came out with a streamlined front end. I have no idea what he got for the Velie in trade, but I think he paid about $500 for that Ford. Like it or not, the next Ford he bought had a streamlined front end.

Just for fun, when I got home from the sports center, I hit Google. The earliest Velie looked nothing like Dad’s. The first model came out in 1910 and was, reportedly, made from parts picked up from a variety of manufacturers. Our Velie probably dated from the mid ’20s and there was a picture of it, too. I learned that Velie began making trucks in 1911.

Even more fun was finding out that there are collectors of the grand old gal and these collectors have clubs and get togethers to exchange information and, maybe, parts as they try to keep their treasures in running condition.

I wonder what our old Velie would be worth in today’s collector market?



Liz Ciancone is a retired

Tribune-Star reporter. Send e-mail to opinion@tribstar.com.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Jersey Shore Open for Business Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy Today in History May 24 Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News