Review of Gregory A. Cagle's Scenes from an Automotive Wonderland: Remarkable Cars Spotted in Postwar Europe

Gregory A. Cagle, Scenes from an Automotive Wonderland: Remarkable Cars Spotted in Postwar Europe.Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2018. pISBN 978-1-4766-7178-9. eISBN 978-1-4766-3053-3. 245 pp., Bibliography and Index. $39.95.

I didn’t know what to expect when I first opened the pages to Gregory Cagle’s Scenes from an Automotive Wonderland.  I found a gamut of wonderfully rare and unusual photographs of European car that spanned from the 1920s to 1950s.  As it turns out, the author, as a 10-15 year old kid, took these images between 1956 and 1961. Cagle’s father, a U.S. Army civil servant with a five-year appointment, travelled far and wide in post-war Europe while on business. His son came along for the ride in the backseat of a 1953 Studebaker Commander Starliner Coupe, snapping pictures of cars at every opportunity. Only recently – after 55 years -- did the author, prodded by car collector friend Jeff Trepel, take these images out of hibernation for us to enjoy.

The result of all of this is a book with so many unusual cars and scenes that it boggles the mind. And despite the fact that young Cagle took these photos with a $19 Iloca camera, the results are sharp and striking. With German cities often under reconstruction as a background, the images are grouped in six chapters: Survivors,pre-WWII automobiles that somehow escaped destruction; Lilliputia, a myriad of micro-cars that filled the streets of Europe during the 1950s; Mundania, everyday cars in urban surroundings and people of interest; Exotica,Alfas, Aston Martin, Fiat, Lagonda, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and the like; Built for Speed, competition cars of the day; and finally Mysteries-- you go figure them out! 

With each automobile featured the author has written a two-to-three paragraph description including the date and place associated with the photograph and a brief description of the car and its historical significance. Included are cars that I have never seen or heard of before, and I am confident you will also be tested for your car spotting knowledge. There is a bibliography, but I found it overly reliant on Internet sources and not definitive. But in fairness some of the cars depicted have left us few sources in the English language to refer to.

If you are interested in European cars this is a must read, not only for the knowledge that is gained, but for the fun time spent in an automotive wonderland.

A Brief Review of Jack Ewing, Faster, Higher, Farther: The Volkswagen Scandal

I found Jack Ewing's Faster, Higher, Farther at my local library recently. A surprisingly interesting read, the book has as its focus the 2019-2015 diesel defeat device scandal, but contains considerable context of real value for those interested in general automotive history. The first several chapters characterize a VW corporate culture that cannot be understood without looking at the Porsche and Piech families relationship to the organization and to each other. Ewing argues that the nature of the firm (a product of its convoluted history and leadership)  proved to be fertile ground for the deception that took place, a fraud that almost succeeded had it not been for a group of West Virginia University researchers charged with determining passenger car diesel emissions under real life driving conditions.

I have already recommended this book to a colleague who teaches environmental and business ethics, and while it might not serve as a primary assigned text, it would be a good source for a review paper or term paper.
If you want to understand the recent history of VW and associated car companies (and indeed the German auto industry), this is a book you need to pick up.

Walter Payton's 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo to be sold at Auction on October 25

Payton (r.) was the star attraction for the Chicago Bears

Sadly, Payton passed away in 1999, having suffered from a rare form of liver disease. He sold a number of exotic cars before his death, but one he could not part with, and would ultimately leave to his young son, was his silver-on-black 1979 3.3-litre 930 Turbo.

Jarrett recalls his father’s fondness for his Porsche

Jarrett, now 37, vividly recalls his father’s fondness for his Porsche. As Payton senior’s successes compounded, he was able to add more and more cars to his collection, but the Turbo was treated like royalty. Where most were driven regularly, the Turbo was the one he kept tucked away at the back of the garage, lovingly tended to and only driven on special occasions.

Payton bought the car new in 1979, the final scheduled model year for the US market for Porsche’s coveted flagship. He was a mere 25 years-old, but with a steady head on broad shoulders, he saw a value in his Turbo that transcended the mere financial. It was both a symbol of his hard work and success to date, but also a reminder to keep on striving.

For Walter Payton, the 911 Turbo was a symbol of his hard work

“I just remember how much time he would spend with the car and being around the car,” Jarrett says. “But it’s got less than 10,000 miles on it. As he started getting more cars, it really just became his baby. So he’d admire it and take it out for short periods of time. For him, it was so special that it was like another kid. He had me and my sister and then this Porsche.”

The 930 is immaculate in every respect

The condition of the car only serves to reinforce Jarrett’s memories. Showing just 9,950 miles on the odometer, with gleaming fresh paintwork and unmarked leather upholstery, it is a warp-speed time capsule, perfectly preserved by father and son.

Although immaculate in every respect, Payton’s 930 is not entirely original. The running back added some subtle personal touches over the years, including a RUF intercooler, chrome Gotti wheels and carbon weave detailing to the interior.

Payton added some subtle personal touches to the 930

When Walter Payton died he bequeathed the Turbo to his son with the caveat that the title could not be transferred until the then 19 year-old reached the age of 25.

“His biggest thing for me was teaching me values and responsibilities,” Jarret explains “and he taught me you got to work for your toys and your things. You have to wait, and you have to work. He was worried I wouldn’t respect things if they were just given to me.”

Sometimes Jarrett drove the car with his own son

Since inheriting the car, Jarrett has cared for it just as his father did. It has been carefully stored and driven only on occasion, sometimes with Jarrett’s own son, 6-year-old Jaden.

“He got a chance to enjoy it with me this summer,” Jarrett says. “I remember when I was his age and riding with my dad, and the car just has so much power. It’s so cool just seeing in his eyes like, ‘Dad! This is so crazy!’”

Now 37, Jarrett has had the car for 12 years, and wishes to pass it onto someone who will cherish it the way he and his father have.

Jarrett wishes to pass the car onto someone who will cherish it the way he and his father have

“It was a hard thing to decide,” he explains, “but we’ve always shared my dad with the world. We hear every single day everyone’s stories about him, and I just felt that there is someone out there who would truly enjoy this car and love this car and cherish this car like he did.”

The car will be offered at Mecum’s Chicago auction in Schaumburg, Illinois on October 25^th.

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A 1937 Sloper -- A Chevrolet Built by Holden in Australia

This car was seen at the AACA Fall Meet at Hershey. A very rare car in the US, possibly only 4 examples. Note the sloping rear deck and right hand drive. Beautiful!

A French De Dion-Bouton Pekin to Paris Celebratory Postcard with Song, 1907

We  know that a Buffalo-made Thomas piloted by George Schuster won the around the world race of 1908. But what of other long distance heroes? And of the culture related to their endeavors. Below is a catchy French tune that celebrated three drivers and their small De Dion-Bouton.

Automobile Trailer Mail during the 1930s

I saw this on Ebay and found it very interesting. Trailer mail? Across the USA? A strange set of circumstances to say the least.