Comments on: What Tomorrow’s Cars Will Look Like http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:04:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054891 Neil Russell Wed, 14 May 2008 20:23:47 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054891 The main thing I remember about the military Billy Mitchell was his strong advocacy for aerial bombardment. He set up a demonstration and sank an old warship to prove his point. Apparently the Japanese high command was paying attention. Bill Mitchell from GM is best known for the 1941 Cadillac, the 1964 Buick Riviera, and the 1975 Cadillac Seville. When questioned about the last one as to whether his design team copied Mercedes Benz Mitchell scoffed; "Hell no, we copied Rolls Royce. My dad always said if you're going to steal, rob a bank not a grocery store!" He also didn't think much of small cars saying that styling a small car was akin to "tailoring a dwarf" The main thing I remember about the military Billy Mitchell was his strong advocacy for aerial bombardment. He set up a demonstration and sank an old warship to prove his point.
Apparently the Japanese high command was paying attention.
Bill Mitchell from GM is best known for the 1941 Cadillac, the 1964 Buick Riviera, and the 1975 Cadillac Seville. When questioned about the last one as to whether his design team copied Mercedes Benz Mitchell scoffed; “Hell no, we copied Rolls Royce. My dad always said if you’re going to steal, rob a bank not a grocery store!” He also didn’t think much of small cars saying that styling a small car was akin to “tailoring a dwarf”

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054864 jayessell Wed, 14 May 2008 10:43:59 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054864 At least I'm wrong consistently. http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/03/20/cabin-scooter-built-for-two/ At least I’m wrong consistently.

http://blog.modernmechanix.com.....t-for-two/

]]> By: Al Bear http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054847 Al Bear Wed, 14 May 2008 02:04:29 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054847 Hi Jay, Well, yes. I've never seen Mr. Bean can you believe it? but I did a search, and yes, the character drove an Isetta, so did Urkel from the old TV show, Family Matters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Isetta Hi Jay,

Well, yes. I’ve never seen Mr. Bean can you believe it? but I did a search, and yes, the character drove an Isetta, so did Urkel from the old TV show, Family Matters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Isetta

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054844 Neil Russell Wed, 14 May 2008 01:55:37 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054844 Tuckeroo: Thanks for finding that out! At least I wasn't crazy, I did in fact remember the Mitchell connection! Last time I was in that museum had to be around 1975 so the car was there for at least another 20 years when you saw it. No idea what I ever did with all the pictures I used to take there. I hear it costs a little more to get in now, it used to be 75 cents. Tuckeroo: Thanks for finding that out! At least I wasn’t crazy, I did in fact remember the Mitchell connection!
Last time I was in that museum had to be around 1975 so the car was there for at least another 20 years when you saw it.
No idea what I ever did with all the pictures I used to take there. I hear it costs a little more to get in now, it used to be 75 cents.

]]> By: Rick Auricchio http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054837 Rick Auricchio Tue, 13 May 2008 21:43:40 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054837 A 34hp engine and 110 mph? I guess once you get it up to speed, you don't dare slow down, because it'll take all day to accelerate again. Remember, this was before things were made of plastic...all that heavy steel. A 34hp engine and 110 mph?

I guess once you get it up to speed, you don’t dare slow down, because it’ll take all day to accelerate again.

Remember, this was before things were made of plastic…all that heavy steel.

]]> By: Tuckeroo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054823 Tuckeroo Tue, 13 May 2008 18:46:42 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054823 Attempted to follow up with links but I did not see them appear, but the car was sold to one Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell, a World War I flyer, and not the Bill Mitchell of GM fame. Attempted to follow up with links but I did not see them appear, but the car was sold to one Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell, a World War I flyer, and not the Bill Mitchell of GM fame.

]]> By: Tuckeroo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054822 Tuckeroo Tue, 13 May 2008 18:42:45 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054822 Sure enough sold to a "Billy" Mitchell, but not GM's Bill Mitchell, this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell As indicated here: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_garage/cars/7030.shtml Sure enough sold to a “Billy” Mitchell, but not GM’s Bill Mitchell, this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mitchell

As indicated here:
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/.....7030.shtml

]]> By: Tuckeroo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054821 Tuckeroo Tue, 13 May 2008 18:36:39 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054821 Sure enough sold to a William "Billy" Mitchell (a WW1 flying ace, but is it the same Billy Mitchell of GM fame?): http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_garage/cars/7030.shtml More on the cars of James Vernon Martin: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_garage/cars/7290.shtml http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/your_garage/cars/7271.shtml http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2008/04/20/sia-flashback-captain-martins-mixed-up-minis/ http://www.isetta-owners-club-gb.com/jjautoette.htm http://www.isetta-owners-club-gb.com/autoette.htm http://www.earlyaviators.com/emartja2.htm http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9129/Martin_Aerodynamic.aspx http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15183/1950%20Martin%20Stationette/default.aspx Sure enough sold to a William “Billy” Mitchell (a WW1 flying ace, but is it the same Billy Mitchell of GM fame?):

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/.....7030.shtml

More on the cars of James Vernon Martin:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/.....7290.shtml

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/.....7271.shtml

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.....-up-minis/

http://www.isetta-owners-club-.....toette.htm

http://www.isetta-owners-club-gb.com/autoette.htm

http://www.earlyaviators.com/emartja2.htm

http://www.conceptcarz.com/veh.....namic.aspx

http://www.conceptcarz.com/veh.....fault.aspx

]]> By: Tuckeroo http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054820 Tuckeroo Tue, 13 May 2008 18:10:38 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054820 Neil, you would be correct about the museum but I'm not sure about any Billy Mitchell connection. I saw it there too and photographed it in August of 1995. I think it's in another museum now, but not 100% sure of that, but I remember seeing another photo of it in a recent magazine. I may have photographed the plaque next to it, so I'll see if I can track the pic down and see what it says. Neil, you would be correct about the museum but I’m not sure about any Billy Mitchell connection. I saw it there too and photographed it in August of 1995. I think it’s in another museum now, but not 100% sure of that, but I remember seeing another photo of it in a recent magazine. I may have photographed the plaque next to it, so I’ll see if I can track the pic down and see what it says.

]]> By: jayessell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054806 jayessell Tue, 13 May 2008 15:46:44 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054806 Al? Is that Mr. Bean's car? Al? Is that Mr. Bean’s car?

]]> By: Al Bear http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054802 Al Bear Tue, 13 May 2008 13:42:30 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054802 Up to 45 miles per gallon fuel economy, impressive! and the last car looks like the BMW Isetta from 20 years into the future! Up to 45 miles per gallon fuel economy, impressive! and the last car looks like the BMW Isetta from 20 years into the future!

]]> By: Neil Russell http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054800 Neil Russell Tue, 13 May 2008 12:54:41 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054800 I would swear that when I was a kid the Martin 4 wheel car was on display at the Stone Mountain auto museum near Atlanta. It was painted a turquoise color. Anyone else ever visit there and see it? Mostly I recall it being made by an aircraft designer so that fits the description above and it had a rear engine with that rounded fairing, but for some reason I always attributed it to Billy Mitchell. I would swear that when I was a kid the Martin 4 wheel car was on display at the Stone Mountain auto museum near Atlanta. It was painted a turquoise color. Anyone else ever visit there and see it?
Mostly I recall it being made by an aircraft designer so that fits the description above and it had a rear engine with that rounded fairing, but for some reason I always attributed it to Billy Mitchell.

]]> By: Bob http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/05/12/what-tomorrows-cars-will-look-like/#comment-1054798 Bob Tue, 13 May 2008 12:12:25 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/?p=4445#comment-1054798 Square it off a bit and it kind of reminds me of my old VW microbus. Square it off a bit and it kind of reminds me of my old VW microbus.

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