Whaddyacallit #187 - Transdrive Transportation system

[Ray B.]

Ever seen this ?

Please, respond below and let us know the make, year and special purpose of the car posted here.
If you haven't registered yet, you need to do so in order to reply with your answer.
Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles, and, please post a puzzle of your own if you'd like - the more, the merrier.
Thanks.

[Ray B.]

Pro wisdom required...

[Otto Puzzell]

Is that device used to condition or cool the air inside the car?

[Ray B.]

No. Its purpose is much more far out than this.

[Otto Puzzell]

Designed to make a sound, perhaps to scare animals off of the road?

[Ray B.]

Very funny. As far out, but more serious.

[jotage21]

Pitot experimentation?

[Otto Puzzell]

Does it transmit or receive signals?

[Ray B.]

Pitot experimentation?

[Ray B.]

Does it transmit or receive signals?

Nope, but you're on to something there.

[Otto Puzzell]

Is it a guide, to follow a beam, cable, etc?

[Ray B.]

Yes as simple as that. Form follows function. Now, let's say this would be worth a point. The exact name of this project (it never was more than a project, or we would be aware of it) will be worth another point for you or whoever finds it.

[Otto Puzzell]

Was this the system patented by Mr. Jaffe in 1957 (United States Patent 2818553)?

[Ray B.]

This I don't know. I have to search if there is a connection with my system. ...Searching...

[Ray B.]

The year would match of course. I couldn't find the connection, but if you know where Mr Jaffe lived, that may be a way to link our sources.

UPDATE: I have another name and another year.

[Otto Puzzell]

OK - I'll leave this to another. That was my best guess.

[Ray B.]

Well, you found the special purpose of that thing on the roof, and that was worth a well-deserved point which I've added to your account.
As I said, the name of the project will be worth another. No wild guesses please. It can be found. Oh, I was also asking for the make and year of the car, for the sake of precision.

[Allemano]

I'm not an expert on American cars. Is it based on a 1955 Ford Fairlane?

[Ray B.]

A Ford, but not a 1955 and not a Fairlane. But, remember, what you're really after is the project name.

[Allemano]

Is it an Australian project?
I know you refused to tolerate 'wild guesses', but I'm stuck!

[Ray B.]

Not australian. They didn't have enough traffic problems down there to need anything of the kind.

[Delanye]

I´m still looking for the Project Name, but in the meantime i would say...

1957 Ford Custom

[Ray B.]

1957 Ford Custom it is, thanks. You know it's too easy to get you a point, but it does get you my respect. Good luck for the rest (a much, much more difficult task).

[Ray B.]

A task much too hard for even the professionals ?

[ImpishGrin]

OMG, I hope thy weren't thinking of some kind of a funicular for cars??