Retro Cool

IdahoJ

I've always loved the "Age of Steam" for locomotive technology. Especially the 30's and 40's before the diesels took over the lines ...

In 1934, J1E Hudson 5344 was the world's first streamlined locomotive.

This steamer is just cool. Even as massive as it is though, the 4-8-4's were larger still.

{Perhaps an interesting study for an SU project? )

IdahoJ

Nice find! It's interesting that research on aerodynamics from the 20's and 30's found it's way not only into aircraft design, but cars, trains and even houses.

Got me thinking about Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion creations. Amongst which was this:

The Dymaxion Car.

@unknownuser said:

For those that haven't heard of it, the Dymaxion Car was a teardrop-shaped (least air resistance), 3-wheeled, rear-wheel (single) steering, 20 foot long, Aluminum bodied auto, designed by Buckminster Fuller in 1933 to achieve maximum output and service with minimum material input. It was about 6 feet tall (kinda like a big van), seated the driver and 10 passengers, weighed around 1600 lbs., went 120 miles/hr on a 90 horsepower engine, and got as much as 30 miles to the gallon of gas.

Ugly but efficient!

IdahoJ

Wow, very cool engine Alan. It wonderful that some of those steamer engines are still around and have been restored ...

Here's my pick for a retro camper, the Grumman 2, circa 1939 or so:

My wife and I are actually building one, but with marine plywood sides, from the plans on this site: http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear55.htm to be pulled behind our '94 Jeep Cherokee ... (It's part of my future retirement plans ... )

Cheers.

solo

What a Duesy!!

Duesenberg (often nicknamed "Duesy") was an Auburn, Indiana based American luxury automobile company active in various forms from 1913 to 1937, most famous for its high-quality passenger cars and record-breaking racing cars.

IdahoJ

Starlings75's vid reminded me of the Tucker, and while researching it, I ran across this:

The man who built in also worked with Tucker on his car. Here's a link to more information:

http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Norman_Timbs%27_Buick_Special

I was just thinking how straightforward it would be to use a Volks bus chassis with a few mods, fiberglass body some louvers in the rear deck for cooling, hmmm ...

Cheers.

Stinkie

@unknownuser said:

I relate on a very personal level to big slow lumbering objects that are mostly gas

Well put, mr. H., well put.

Starling75

Our masspoduced streamlined Albatros jet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros
history
This one belongs to Mr Elon Musk

boofredlay

@unknownuser said:

Leyat was a French automobile manufacturer established in 1919. Its first model was called Hélica, also known as ‘The plane without wings’. The vehicle was powered by a giant propeller. In 1927, a Hélica reached the speed of 106 mph. Between 1919 and 1925, Leyat managed to sell 30 vehicles.

What, before they started chopping people to bits on the motorway? I still like it though.

Starling75

Czechoslovak streamlined steam locomotive 386.001

Starling75

[flash=600,400:3l43bwv9]http://www.youtube.com/v/vN8MiGx0uiI?version=3&amp[/flash:3l43bwv9]
" Royal Blue" is on the right
"Coronation Scot" is on the left

Alan Fraser

I love that Hélica, Eric. It looks like the love-child of a swamp boat and Citroen 2CV.

boofredlay

Not sure if this qualifies as Retro but these images are pretty cool.

@unknownuser said:

Have you ever wanted to walk across the bottom of the River, Lake or Ocean to see all the ships that have sunk? Well....

The Aral Sea was once the world's fourth-largest saline body of water. It has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s, after the rivers that fed it were diverted by Soviet Union irrigation projects. And now it's almost gone leaving a desert full of old shipwrecks.

And it had already been starved of nearly 30yrs of water by 1989.