Cars and Corona

I've always loved history. Add that to my love of cars and it's easy to see why I'm so fascinated with this old car hobby. But while I an often enthralled by reading about history, I'm currently not so keen on having to live through it.

Yes, this Covid-19 pandemic is an event of worldwide historical magnitude. The last time the world witnessed anything like this was the Spanish Flu that plagued the world from January 1918 until December 1920. During that time about a half a billion people were infected. To put that in reference, that was about 25 per cent of the world's population at the time. Imagine, one in four people around the world suffering from this disease. While no officials figures were ever available it is believed that between 17 million and 50 million people died of this flu; some estimates going as high as 100 million. This made the Spanish Flu perhaps the second deadliest pandemic to ravage the world's population behind the Black Plague.

One thing that helped spread the Spanish Flu back then was the fact that the world was becoming more mobile. Being mobile meant that there was more interaction with others and this spread the germs that caused the disease faster and farther. Yes, World War I had a lot to do with this as soldiers, perhaps for the first time in their lives, actually traveled beyond their own cities, towns and villages, often to foreign countries. When they returned home, many of them carried not only the scars of war but a deadly disease as well.

Another thing that aided in the spread of the Spanish Flu was that more people were traveling by boat and by rail and, yes, by that burgeoning new fad called the automobile. The end of World War I saw the beginning of a growing prosperity as well as an increased desire to travel. With technology that had been developed and refined for the war effort, manufacturers were beginning to create more powerful and reliable automobiles. There were also more options and, in many cases, much more affordability for those wishing to discover the freedom a horseless carriage could bring.  

As most people know, Henry Ford first rolled out the Model T in 1908. It was truly designed to be an affordable people's car. And it was, selling at record numbers. But the Model T wasn't the only great and memorable car of its time. I'm posting photos of some of the amazing cars that were introduced during that Spanish Flu time.

The car at the very top is a Model T of a different kind. This is a 1918 REO Model T. The car was put out by Ransom E. Olds who had left the company bearing his name in 1904. This Model T was powered by a 240 cubic inch F-head four cylinder engine that made 40 horse. power. The next car is a Cleveland Model 40 which cost $1385 when new.

After that is a 1919 Detroit Electric Model 75B. This early electric car was powered by 14 six volt batteries and made a top speed of 13 mph. Next is a 1918 Buick E-49 Touring. This seven seater was powered by a 242 cubic inch overhead valve six cylinder engine that made a fairly impressive for the time 60 horse power.

Next up is a 1918 Willys Overland 85B. Willys was the largest producer of automobiles at the time and this model originally sold new for $895. On a side note for the next time you're on Jeopardy, through a number of incarnations, Willys became the company today known as Jeep.

After that is a 1918 Davis Touring. Davis was one of the many cars manufactured in Richmond, IN. This two seater has a six cylinder engine. Next is a 1920 Pilot 45. Another Richmond built car line, this Pilot runs on a 44 horse power six cylinder engine.

 There were plenty of prestige cars during this time and few more so than this 1918 Cadillac Type 57 Phaeton. Under the hood was a 314.5 cubic inch early V8 that made 70 horse power. More luxury could be found in this 1919 Pierce Arrow Model 66A. This massive car weighed about 7000 pounds and stood seven feet tall. It also featured a mammoth 825 cubic inch six cylinder engine that churned out 90 horse power.

Next up is a 1919 Cole. It's General Motors derived V 8 engine made 80 horse power and the Indiana built car cost over $3000 when new. Following that is a 1920 Jordan Model M Playboy Roadster. Jordans were made in Cleveland and this model relied on a 224 cubic inch Continental six cylinder engine that produced 56 horse power.

Following World War I there were hundreds and hundreds of companies. Many failed during this time for various reasons. But it is interesting to take some time and explore those that once existed. Remember, the history of the automobile is tightly woven into the history of the 20th Century. So while you are living this current span of history, take some time to explore the past.