Quiz Archive

What is it? # 138 (UPDATE: Bush !)

The 138 was really inspiring. We saw the makes AMCO, Liberty, Dixie, Dobel Steamer, MacDonald Steamer and Allen, all mentioned once. Then we saw American mentioned three times. Then there was one name with no less then five votes. Now if there is one name of a car that invites for a quiz (especially short after Brush) of course that is: Bush ! In fact we were put on the trail for this car by the personnel & customers of a donut-shop sowemwhere west of Laramie (or similar place). They asked us about the Bush car after the Brush. Then by coincidence some weeks ago Hans Horwitz came up with this perfect advert from his collection. "Bush Cars Absolutely Guaranteed or Vote Back ...er... or Money back." According to the ad (see att. file) this DeLuxe Six Cylinder has a Red Seal Continental Motor." Question three was, what makes this car so special: all the Bush fans came up with the fact this was a Mail-Order car. And some added that it was not built by the 'manufacturer'.
Question 4 was about the wheelbase, a classic rattlesnake. The advertisement says 120", while the Standard Catalogue is consequent in saying 121" for all 6 cylinder models. So who is wrong? The Bush advertising agency ? Or the Standard Catalog ? Jurymember Radu Comsa spontaneously came up with this analysis: "It must be a 120" as this car seems manufactured by Huffman in Elkhart, so the wheelbase must be the standard Huffman wheelbase at that time which was 120 inch." Do we hear any objections? From the three very close competitors Miller, Hayhurst and Dawber ....Mark Dawber went the extra mile thus prooving the same point as jurymember Radu Comsa: "The Specification Book for US Cars 1920-1929 gives the wheelbase of all models as 116" but the Standard catalog gives the wheelbase of the 6 cylinder models of 1920-22 as 121". The Huffman (listed as one of the maker of Bush cars and the make which used the same 6 cylinder Continental model 7R engine) is listed as having a wheelbase of 120" in both books." Congratulations Mark !
(advert courtesy Horwitz Collection) EARLIER: A rare car with a very wellknown name. In fact this name is known in every corner of the globe. Still 999 out of 1000 persons who know that name will not know this car... Even when you will ask real old car buffs, they probably never ever have heard of this car (probably not even US Old Car Nut nr. 1 Jay Leno, but we must admit we didn't ask him ...). Only the hardcore prewar insider will nod and smile, pick up a fat book and reassure himself by rereading a very short paragraph in the first part of the alfabet. Enough of that, on to the next and last hint: during the eight year lifecycle of this brand they probably never got one dealer to work for them. Well, that's all for now folks. Here are the questions: 1. what is the name of this Make 2. which Engine was under the hood 3. what is so special about this car except for the name? 4. what is the Wheelbase? Send your answer to \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . As usual only the best answer will win the Roadmap/PreWarCar gillet. Rules:

- only responses with nice and neatly numbered answers referring to our questions will be eligible - send your answer to \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BEFORE Monday, January 10

- PLEASE mention in the subject line of your e-mail: # 138

- include, for in case you win: your shirt SIZE, being S,M,XL or XXL and the ADDRESS where we should send the shirt

- unless otherwise stated there is ONE winner

- please mention if you were an earlier winner (1,2 or J)

- THREE time winners automatically become Jury member, but of course there is no obligation in any way

Friday, 07 January 2005