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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: Otto Puzzell on February 16, 2011, 03:46:54 AM

Title: ERP Puzzle #1905 - 1935 Bubble Top Car by Alex Tremulis
Post by: Otto Puzzell on February 16, 2011, 03:46:54 AM
... as in: Easy Rookie Point. Probably quickly solved, but cool illustrations like this should be shared.

Know the story? For 1 point, please respond below and identify the vehicle pictured, and the illustrator.  

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Thanks!
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Vincent Vell Vet on February 16, 2011, 07:45:46 PM
ERP IYKI (If You Know It).
Not easy if you don't.  ;D
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: f1fan on February 16, 2011, 10:41:25 PM
Maker is easy.  His biopic starred Jeff Bridges.
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Vincent Vell Vet on February 17, 2011, 12:09:59 AM
Ok, now I see a Tucker in there somewhere.
Tomorow I'll dig for who drew it if someone doesn't beat me to it.
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: f1fan on February 17, 2011, 08:44:49 AM
Illustrator? Alex Tremulis?
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Otto Puzzell on February 17, 2011, 09:10:40 AM
That's the illustrator. Not technically a Tucker, this car was referred to by a general reference to it's configuration.
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: f1fan on February 18, 2011, 12:39:23 AM
A styling exercise?
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Vincent Vell Vet on February 18, 2011, 01:19:32 AM
Strangely chunky proportions, especially when you consider the sleek (for it's time) Tucker.
Though you did say it's not actually a Tucker, do i understand this drawing sort of lead to what became the Tucker?
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Otto Puzzell on February 18, 2011, 03:56:03 AM
I don't think that car was even a twinkle in the eye of Mr Tucker when the puzzle illustration was done. This drawing predates the Tucker 48 by over a decade.
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: f1fan on February 18, 2011, 11:44:41 AM
Penned by Alex Tremulis in 1936 while under the employ of the legendary Auburn-Cord-Duesey.
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Vincent Vell Vet on February 18, 2011, 03:24:53 PM
I don't think that car was even a twinkle in the eye of Mr Tucker when the puzzle illustration was done. This drawing predates the Tucker 48 by over a decade.
Interesting.
The Tucker of course had it's mill in the back, and judging by the little vents on the rear deck, it' seems the artist was thinking rear engine placement
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Otto Puzzell on February 19, 2011, 04:10:48 AM
Alex was all about rear engines. Here's an illustration he did of a similar proposed Bantam
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905
Post by: Otto Puzzell on February 19, 2011, 04:11:52 AM
Penned by Alex Tremulis in 1936 while under the employ of the legendary Auburn-Cord-Duesey.


My source says '35, but close enough.
Title: Re: ERP Puzzle #1905 - 1935 Bubble Top Car by Alex Tremulis
Post by: streamliner on February 19, 2011, 11:23:06 AM
Good job, f1fan, tracking this one down.  Keep it up!

Here's the date of the drawing:

(http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu248/gyronaut/Feb1936BubbleTopDate.jpg)

Although Tremulis had been drawing Duesenbergs for customers for their in-house "Walker" design team since 1933 (he styled some of the best: the 1934 Walker-LeGrande Model J Convertible/Coupes - J530, J534 and J535), I don't think he was hired as the Chief Stylist until December, 1936.  So this may have been done during one of his stints at Briggs under John Tjaarda, another rear-engined fan and streamlining advocate.  When I find the answer, I'll post it...

The 1935 date came from a photocopy that Tremulis had signed "1935" many years later as a gift to someone.  Tremulis had stated previously that he relied upon this rendering as inspiration for the final design of the Tucker '48.  Always ahead of his time, that little fixture on top of the bubbletop was a turn indicator up high so that everyone would be able to see your intentions.