On a lighter note

[ironglow]

  Apparently there are clubs dedicated to building and operating replica "horseless carriages"..
  Here is one some fellow built, that I think is quite sharp.
  It is supposed to be a replica of an 1896 model.  Of course, he had to compromise in many things, for instance using a Briggs engine..
 
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_u7fihGNL4
 
  The size and shape are basically true to specs, but the rest is made with what the builder found necessary to use.

  It must have been fun to tool around the countryside in one of these "way back when"..if you could find a dependable one..and if the natural rubber tires lasted long enough..

  Many years ago, I had a plan going in my mind to build one to use in local parades and have my grand daughter drive it when she was about 9 to 12 years old..but time went by, and it never came to fruition.  She's in her mid 20s now, and not likely keen on the idea.
 
  I did build a couple "teardrop" campers though..

[ironglow]

Here's a 1901 curved dash Oldsmobile replica..nice repro..
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk8ylvjN1x0

  When I was a kid our neighbor farmer did custom baling, and I used to work for him summers, when I had a little free time from my own farm work.
  The neighbor contacted to do all the baling hay for a local Olds dealer, who had a big farm, most of the work going toward a brand new, 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. (I would have been nearly 13 then)
 
  When I rode down with Harold to pick up the new car, Andy (the Olds dealer) had a 1903 curved dash Olds in the show room..it was quite compact, just like the one shown.

  By and by, all those folks died off, the dealership faded away, and  I have no idea what happened to that 1903 Oldsmobile

  Ransom E. Olds built the original Olds-mobiles, he also designed the REO trucks, named after his initials.

  Here's a song on the subject, recorded in 1905..   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFruHQJeaRg