AutoPuzzles - The Internet's Museum of Rare Cars!

Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2009 => Topic started by: Ray B. on September 24, 2009, 04:32:21 AM

Title: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: Ray B. on September 24, 2009, 04:32:21 AM
Ever seen this ?

If you did, please respond below and let us know the "make and model" of the car posted here.

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Thanks![/center]
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429
Post by: Ray B. on October 07, 2009, 09:42:33 AM
As rookies become experts, so must rookie puzzles...
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 09:59:48 AM
As experts become professionals, so must expert puzzles...
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429
Post by: pnegyesi on October 26, 2009, 10:00:28 AM
Is this Spanish?
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 10:01:37 AM
Not Spanish.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429
Post by: Paul Jaray on October 26, 2009, 10:06:26 AM
This is a Streamlined Sedan that Major Donald C. Surles of Cisco built himself starting from a Jeep in 1949 circa.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429
Post by: Ray B. on October 27, 2009, 04:42:06 AM
This, a Jeep?
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: Paul Jaray on October 27, 2009, 04:48:03 AM
 :huh:
"Jeep becomes streamlined sedan
Push-button doors and windows are featured on a completely streamlined jeep made by an army officer on duty in Japan. Using the jeep chassis, Major Donald C. Surles of Cisco, Texas, built himself the ultramodern vehicle at a cost of $2000. The original power plant is used. The doors slide upward into the roof when a button is pushed."
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: João on October 27, 2009, 09:34:16 AM
One-of-a-kind, features a number of interesting innovations in automobilia.  This vehicle, which was entirely constructed by hand in Japan, was built on a 4-wheel Willy's jeep chassis and sports windows and doors that roll open by moving up and down into the body of the automobile.  It is also reported to have windows that will pop out in the event of sudden impact, thereby preventing many a skull injury.  This latter feature has been used in one or two other automobiles since that time.  The inventor, Mr. Surles, who was from Virginia, was unable to speak Japanese and the crew members chosen to build the car were unable to converse in English.  This unfortunate situation led to numerous complications and five months were required to construct this automobile causing Mr. Surles, being unable to express himself, to give up a number of his original innovations.  Because of manufacturing and other difficulties, this machine was never put into production:
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: Ray B. on October 27, 2009, 10:16:31 AM
Lovely story.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: Otto Puzzell on October 28, 2009, 03:04:49 AM
Quote from: João on October 27, 2009, 09:34:16 AM
One-of-a-kind, features a number of interesting innovations in automobilia.  This vehicle, which was entirely constructed by hand in Japan, was built on a 4-wheel Willy's jeep chassis and sports windows and doors that roll open by moving up and down into the body of the automobile.  It is also reported to have windows that will pop out in the event of sudden impact, thereby preventing many a skull injury.  This latter feature has been used in one or two other automobiles since that time.  The inventor, Mr. Surles, who was from Virginia, was unable to speak Japanese and the crew members chosen to build the car were unable to converse in English.  This unfortunate situation led to numerous complications and five months were required to construct this automobile causing Mr. Surles, being unable to express himself, to give up a number of his original innovations.  Because of manufacturing and other difficulties, this machine was never put into production:

Amazing - the color picture I recognized instantly! A copy resides on my hard drive. I had planned to post it as a puzzle here (as I one did at an AutoPuzzles progenitor site).
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: João on October 28, 2009, 11:47:17 AM
Roaring Twenties Automobile Museum owns the car
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: Wendax on September 21, 2019, 07:39:45 AM
Some period pictures:
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: pnegyesi on September 21, 2019, 11:32:40 AM
nice
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #429 - Donald C. Surles "This, a Jeep?"
Post by: BERTRAND on March 29, 2021, 04:24:48 PM
one more (colour) pic