Your vehicle: what do you have, why do you like it, and what do you not like?

**wtlwdwgn** · 07-19-2021, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by AgentL

Hmm, maybe I'm thinking first American unibody car. I'll have to go look it up again.

The first American unibody automobile was produced by the Hayes Body Company in 1915. It was called the Hayes Ruler Frameless.

MarkJerling · 07-19-2021, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

The first American unibody automobile was produced by the Hayes Body Company in 1915. It was called the Hayes Ruler Frameless.

Except it was not a true unibody design. The car consisted of a body to which was attached an engine and gearbox mounting (tubular I believe) sub-frame.

**wtlwdwgn** · 07-20-2021, 07:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Except it was not a true unibody design. The car consisted of a body to which was attached an engine and gearbox mounting (tubular I believe) sub-frame.

Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis?

bogwalker · 07-20-2021, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis?

Don't forget the air-cooled Volkswagens, which were developed in the 1930's, but not sold commercially until a few years WWII. That's generally considered a unibody construction.

BTW wtlwdwgn - I flew from O'Hare to Missoula a couple weeks ago, probably passed near Billings. I had a window seat (of course), so I was looking for Billings, but didn't see it.

slartibartfast01 · 07-20-2021, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by bogwalker

Don't forget the air-cooled Volkswagens, which were developed in the 1930's, but not sold commercially until a few years WWII. That's generally considered a unibody construction.

BTW wtlwdwgn - I flew from O'Hare to Missoula a couple weeks ago, probably passed near Billings. I had a window seat (of course), so I was looking for Billings, but didn't see it.

Ha when I first read this I thought "wtlwdwgn" must be an acronym I didn't know. I googled it and found it was a member name

**wtlwdwgn** · 07-20-2021, 09:10 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by bogwalker

Don't forget the air-cooled Volkswagens, which were developed in the 1930's, but not sold commercially until a few years WWII. That's generally considered a unibody construction.

BTW wtlwdwgn - I flew from O'Hare to Missoula a couple weeks ago, probably passed near Billings. I had a window seat (of course), so I was looking for Billings, but didn't see it.

IIRC, the Beetle's body was bolted to the platform underneath. While in Germany in the '60s there was another airman who took the Beetle's body off the platform and put it over a rear wheel drive chassis with a Buick V8 engine. He had great fun on the Autobahn pulling up behind a big Mercedes, flashing his lights, and zooming past leaving the Merc in its dust.

Flying in from Chicago you might have flown over the middle of the state and may not have been near enough to see Billings.

**AgentL** · 07-20-2021, 09:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis?

You know, I think I may have been the victim of Wikipedia wrong information, because I thought I read about the status of the Rambler as first unibody, or production unibody, or something like that... but now I can't even find the section I was reading before. So, fake news! Courtesy of the online resource that is always asking for money.

Racer X 69 · 07-20-2021, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by slartibartfast01

Ha when I first read this I thought "wtlwdwgn" must be an acronym I didn't know. I googled it and found it was a member name

Little red wagon.

MarkJerling · 07-20-2021, 01:31 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis?

First (convertible) unibody design was the 1922 Lancia Lambda Torpedo. Next was the 1934 Citroën Traction Avant, which was actually the first true unibody design. (Interestingly conceived by an America designer) 1934 Chrysler Airflow was next. The Citroën was also one of the earlier cars (though not the first) to popularise front wheel drive.

**wtlwdwgn** · 07-20-2021, 02:29 PM - **2 Likes**

A vehicle you'd rather not have pull up to your house.

lesmore49 · 07-20-2021, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

IIRC, the Beetle's body was bolted to the platform underneath. While in Germany in the '60s there was another airman who took the Beetle's body off the platform and put it over a rear wheel drive chassis with a Buick V8 engine. He had great fun on the Autobahn pulling up behind a big Mercedes, flashing his lights, and zooming past leaving the Merc in its dust.

Enjoyed that. Reminded me of an old race car, that was pieced together from many different parts and featured a big Buick 401 cube 'nailhead' V8. It did quite well in racing many years ago. Ole Yeller is it's name.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8...Fx6wwLIq8Xb8Pt

**wtlwdwgn** · 07-20-2021, 03:44 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by lesmore49

Enjoyed that. Reminded me of an old race car, that was pieced together from many different parts and featured a big Buick 401 cube 'nailhead' V8. It did quite well in racing many years ago. Ole Yeller is it's name.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8...Fx6wwLIq8Xb8Pt

Max Balchowsky!

**Mooncatt** · 07-20-2021, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

A vehicle you'd rather not have pull up to your house.

If I drove that, I'd be spending all of my off time with it in front of my camera, day and night!

lesmore49 · 07-20-2021, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Max Balchowsky!

He was quite a character I've read. He used to map out his car designs...in chalk...on his garage floor.

MarkJerling · 07-20-2021, 05:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Max Balchowsky!

Brilliant guy!

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07-19-2021, 01:42 PM	#2446
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Originally posted by AgentL Hmm, maybe I'm thinking first American unibody car. I'll have to go look it up again. The first American unibody automobile was produced by the Hayes Body Company in 1915. It was called the Hayes Ruler Frameless.

07-19-2021, 05:30 PM	#2447
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn The first American unibody automobile was produced by the Hayes Body Company in 1915. It was called the Hayes Ruler Frameless. Except it was not a true unibody design. The car consisted of a body to which was attached an engine and gearbox mounting (tubular I believe) sub-frame.

07-20-2021, 07:11 AM - 1 Like	#2448
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Originally posted by MarkJerling Except it was not a true unibody design. The car consisted of a body to which was attached an engine and gearbox mounting (tubular I believe) sub-frame. Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis?

07-20-2021, 08:12 AM	#2449
bogwalker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Albums Posts: 145	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis? Don't forget the air-cooled Volkswagens, which were developed in the 1930's, but not sold commercially until a few years WWII. That's generally considered a unibody construction. BTW wtlwdwgn - I flew from O'Hare to Missoula a couple weeks ago, probably passed near Billings. I had a window seat (of course), so I was looking for Billings, but didn't see it.

07-20-2021, 08:53 AM	#2450
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by bogwalker Don't forget the air-cooled Volkswagens, which were developed in the 1930's, but not sold commercially until a few years WWII. That's generally considered a unibody construction. BTW wtlwdwgn - I flew from O'Hare to Missoula a couple weeks ago, probably passed near Billings. I had a window seat (of course), so I was looking for Billings, but didn't see it. Ha when I first read this I thought "wtlwdwgn" must be an acronym I didn't know. I googled it and found it was a member name

07-20-2021, 09:10 AM - 2 Likes	#2451
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Originally posted by bogwalker Don't forget the air-cooled Volkswagens, which were developed in the 1930's, but not sold commercially until a few years WWII. That's generally considered a unibody construction. BTW wtlwdwgn - I flew from O'Hare to Missoula a couple weeks ago, probably passed near Billings. I had a window seat (of course), so I was looking for Billings, but didn't see it. IIRC, the Beetle's body was bolted to the platform underneath. While in Germany in the '60s there was another airman who took the Beetle's body off the platform and put it over a rear wheel drive chassis with a Buick V8 engine. He had great fun on the Autobahn pulling up behind a big Mercedes, flashing his lights, and zooming past leaving the Merc in its dust. Flying in from Chicago you might have flown over the middle of the state and may not have been near enough to see Billings.

07-20-2021, 09:10 AM - 1 Like	#2452
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis? You know, I think I may have been the victim of Wikipedia wrong information, because I thought I read about the status of the Rambler as first unibody, or production unibody, or something like that... but now I can't even find the section I was reading before. So, fake news! Courtesy of the online resource that is always asking for money.

07-20-2021, 10:10 AM	#2453
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,068	Originally posted by slartibartfast01 Ha when I first read this I thought "wtlwdwgn" must be an acronym I didn't know. I googled it and found it was a member name Little red wagon.

07-20-2021, 01:31 PM - 2 Likes	#2454
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Hmm. Then I suppose it was the French Citroen Traction Avant and American Chrysler Airflow that were the first production unibody chassis? First (convertible) unibody design was the 1922 Lancia Lambda Torpedo. Next was the 1934 Citroën Traction Avant, which was actually the first true unibody design. (Interestingly conceived by an America designer) 1934 Chrysler Airflow was next. The Citroën was also one of the earlier cars (though not the first) to popularise front wheel drive.

07-20-2021, 02:29 PM - 2 Likes	#2455
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	A vehicle you'd rather not have pull up to your house.

07-20-2021, 03:40 PM	#2456
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,345	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn IIRC, the Beetle's body was bolted to the platform underneath. While in Germany in the '60s there was another airman who took the Beetle's body off the platform and put it over a rear wheel drive chassis with a Buick V8 engine. He had great fun on the Autobahn pulling up behind a big Mercedes, flashing his lights, and zooming past leaving the Merc in its dust. Enjoyed that. Reminded me of an old race car, that was pieced together from many different parts and featured a big Buick 401 cube 'nailhead' V8. It did quite well in racing many years ago. Ole Yeller is it's name. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8...Fx6wwLIq8Xb8Pt

07-20-2021, 03:44 PM - 2 Likes	#2457
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,846	Originally posted by lesmore49 Enjoyed that. Reminded me of an old race car, that was pieced together from many different parts and featured a big Buick 401 cube 'nailhead' V8. It did quite well in racing many years ago. Ole Yeller is it's name. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8...Fx6wwLIq8Xb8Pt Max Balchowsky!

07-20-2021, 04:58 PM	#2458
Mooncatt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2020 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,372	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn A vehicle you'd rather not have pull up to your house. If I drove that, I'd be spending all of my off time with it in front of my camera, day and night!

07-20-2021, 05:13 PM	#2459
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,345	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Max Balchowsky! He was quite a character I've read. He used to map out his car designs...in chalk...on his garage floor.

07-20-2021, 05:23 PM - 1 Like	#2460
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Max Balchowsky! Brilliant guy!