Let's BUY A NEW CAR!

Would you like to put a Mercury in your driveway? If so, it'll have to be a used car. So if we're talking used how about a 1954 Mercury?

I would certainly love to drive one of these in order to experience their new suspension technology. The big old boats were cushy and comfortable. Steering sucked, but the better brands took bumps nicely.

So with the "same ball-joint principle used in your shoulder" were there ever any rotator cuff problems? I know, I know…bad one.


Click on image to see it larger.

Mercury was an automobile marque of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick (and former Oldsmobile) brand, and Chrysler Motors' Chrysler division. From 1945 to 2011, it was the Mercury half of the Lincoln - Mercury division of Ford (the Edsel brand was included in that division for the 1958-1960 model years). Using badge engineering, the majority of Mercury models were based on Ford platforms.

On June 2, 2010, Ford announced the closure of the Mercury line by the end of the year. In terms of sales, Mercury represented only 1 percent of North America's automobile market compared to the 16 percent share of Ford. Ford Motor Company has stated that additional Lincoln models will be introduced to help replace any shortfall from the discontinued Mercury brand. At the time of the announcement of Mercury's closure, Mercury was selling fewer than 95,000 units a year, which is less than both Plymouth and Oldsmobile right before they were phased out. The Mercury Mountaineer was discontinued in the 2010 model year, with the remaining Mercurys following suit after an abbreviated 2011 model year. Mercury's U.S. sales in 2010, its final full year, were 93,195. After the Mercury brand was discontinued in 2011, Ford stripped all Mercury branding from its Lincoln-Mercury dealers. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

Let's BUY A NEW CAR!

Time to go car shopping. Yeah, just the words "go car shopping" feels like fingernails on a blackboard. Have you ever been followed across a car lot by an obnoxious salesman who is yelling at you because he thinks he can harass you into buying from him? I hate shopping for cars and have my own personal stories of bad car dealerships. However, my last purchase couldn't have gone better. Very satisfied with everything. So I'll let you go shopping for a car because I intend to keep mine into my 70s.

For some reason people seem to like the silver gray car color. Individually I guess they look fine, but when I'm walking through a parking lot and see row after row of silver gray cars I feel like I'm surrounded by pod people. The cars all look alike even though they're from different manufacturers. There is a drabness to them. How does anyone find their silver gray drone when they go back to the lot? I'll admit that I'm a red car sort of person. Has nothing to do with wanting to be noticed which seems to be the cliche about red car owners. I just like the color. I especially like the color when it's shiny and pretty and stands out in a parking lot. I can easily find my car…unless there's another red one parked next to it. This happened not long after I purchased my car. Came out of Costco to find the exact same car parked next to mine. At that point it was so new I didn't yet have a license on it so I had to look inside to see if something looked familiar.

Anyway…let's go shopping…in 1954.

NASH…it's a car…it's an airplane…it's a bed! Who knew?


Click on image to see it larger. (SOURCE: National Geographic, June 1954)

Ambassador was the model name applied to the senior line of Nash automobiles from 1932 until 1957. From 1958 until the end of the 1974 model year, the Ambassador was the product of American Motors Corporation (AMC), which continued to use the Ambassador model name on its top-of-the-line models, making it "one of the longest-lived automobile nameplates in automotive history.

In 1954 the Nash Ambassador was the first American automobile to have a front-end, fully integrated heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system. The heating and ventilation system system was called Weather Eye and now could equipped with Nash-Kelvinators' advanced Automobile air conditioning unit. While other manufacturers in America at the time offered A/C on some models, their air conditioning units were driven by a large and heavy, trunk mounted expander and heat exchanger that carried the air into the car via clear plastic tubes and out through ceiling mounted vents. Nash's unit was inexpensive, compact, fit under the hood, and could either circulate fresh or recycled air. With a single thermostatic control, the Nash passenger compartment air cooling option was described as "a good and remarkably inexpensive" system. The option was priced well below systems offered by other carmakers (in 1955, Nash offered it at USm$345, against $550 for Oldsmobile or $570 for Chrysler); other makers, such as Ford, did not even offer optional air conditioning. (At the time, even a heater was not always standard equipment.) (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

Want to see images of Nash cars in movies? Seriously, I'm not kidding. Click here. Kind of cool. You'll find the 1954 Nash was used in the classic Frank Sinatra movie written by Sterling Hayden called Suddenly. How about the old Superman series? Yup, Nash Ambassador. Then there's always Bride of the Monster. Yeah, no idea.

Click here to go to the website for the Nash Car Club of America.

Time to RUN AWAY FROM HOME: Part 5

Okay, I'm going out on a high note here. I'm going first class on a Matson Liner back in time to Hawaii. Join me if you wish. It's a heavenly trip!

Click on image to see it larger. (SOURCE: National Geographic, November 1954)

To see more about cruising aboard a Matson Liner click here.

And don't forget to not follow my newest and most boring blog, Tattered and Lost: Traveling with Charlie. The site where nothing exciting will ever happen. I'm not kidding.

Time to RUN AWAY FROM HOME: Part 3

Choice number 3 in our Run Away Adventure!

So far we've tried plane and ship. If those didn't strike your fancy, how about the train; specifically the Sunset Limited on the old Southern Pacific Line?

I rode the line several times, but it was always at night so I saw very little. Only once did I have a private room which was quite nice, though amazingly small. It was sufficient for me with a convertible couch, toilet, and sink. I was sick at the time, so I really didn't get to take advantage of much of anything.

Now, sadly, there was no real dining car when I rode the train. It was a snack car with a microwave. I sat up for hours one night eating microwave popcorn and talking to a friend while others sat at a nearby table playing cards. Elegant dining with great service it was not. But then, we're going back in time so the heck with how it is today.

(SOURCE: National Geographic, November, 1954)

What I really love about this ad are the illustrations; wonderful 1950s modern.

Click on any image to see it larger.

Sadly, as in yesterday's vintage ad, people of color were always relegated to service positions, never as patrons. Jarring to the eye now, it's actually good these ads exist to remind people of our history. Though the railroads offered good jobs for African-Americans, it's heartbreaking to think that they were relegated to only certain positions. People today need to remember how far we've come and how, without vigilance, we could slip back to the old days.

And now, how about taking the train even farther back in time. I give you 1937.

Time to RUN AWAY FROM HOME: Part 2

Choice number 2 in our Run Away Adventure!

Perhaps air travel is not for you. You find airports and flying tedious and unpleasant. How about a ship? With a ship once you set food on board you are where you're going to be. You know where you'll sleep, eat, and party for the entire vacation. The excursions off the ship are just the bonus. The getting from point A to B is the trip.

Let's step back in time once again to November 1954 thanks to National Geographic. A cruise of the Pacific awaits you aboard a ship in the American President Lines. Not one of those hideous behemoths that set sail today, but a real cruise ship with style. Today's ships look like ugly cheap consumer items where more more more is the mantra. In the old days it was less less and just enough.


(SOURCE: National Geographic, November, 1954)

Now, there is one drawback to cruising in 1954 which might make this not right for you. You can't wear flip-flops to the dinner service. Obnoxious behavior is frowned upon, not celebrated. You had better pack some boring clothes that aren't particularly comfortable. And learn to love martinis.

If you're female don't expect men to be willing to carry on lengthy conversations with you about politics, finance, or anything else they deem outside your purview.

And when you see a guy wearing an eye patch on the high seas...don't ask him where his parrot is.

Click here to see two vintage American President Line post cards.

Time to RUNAWAY FROM HOME: Part 1

I don't know about you, but I think it's time to run away from home. I mean, really pack a bag and get out of Dodge!

Oh sure, the only time I ran away I got no further than outside the front door. My mother took my threat as a challenge and said, "Okay!" as she grabbed a paper bag. She told me to put seven days of underwear in the bag and I could take one doll. I was stunned. Who runs away and takes underwear? Plus, I had a lot of dolls, my favorite being Rosie who I'd had since I was around four. She told me I couldn't take Rosie so I had to choose second best. I have no idea which doll I chose, but I do know they did not have a change of underwear.

I was determined to leave with the idea of heading to Ala Moana Shopping Center, which in my mind seemed like a great place to take up residence. I grabbed my bag and stomped down the stairs to the front door. My mom and dad said, "Goodbye!" then shoved me out the door and shut it behind me. Reality quickly set in as I stood there crying before going around the house and coming in the back door. I never ran away again; not that I didn't think about it a lot.

So grab a paper or plastic bag, your choice, and stuff in seven days of underwear unless you go commando. I will now offer some time traveling travel adventures. It's up to you to choose. Just know, once you're out the front door and on one of these trips there's no back door to sneak in.


Click on image to see it larger. (SOURCE: National Geographic, November, 1954)

I should probably warn you that some people in the past dressed like dorks. There's just no other way to put it. Families wore matching outfits. My family wore matching shirts so I remember all of this very well. And if you ever visit Awkward Family Photos you know that in some sections of society this is still an uncured disease. But hey, if a dorky outfit puts a "bounce in your step" why not?

Oh, and if you do find a travel agent willing to book you a flight on TWA...better make sure they don't look like Rod Serling. If you don't know who Rod Serling is you're definitely not up for one of these adventures, underwear or no underwear.

Remembering COCA COLA

Recently I was thinking back to the old Coca Cola machines that used to sit outside gas stations in the 50s. I saw one in a movie sitting outside an old store. I was suddenly drawn back to hot days in the car, pulling into a gas station, and hearing the "ding ding" as you drove across the bell cord announcing your arrival. Then the begging to get a cold drink would start. My mom or dad giving me a nickel for a coke. That red metal box was an oasis. Lift the lid and look down to see what was available. Sometimes what was inside was cold, just as often it wasn't. Decide which bottle you wanted, deposit your coin, and then drag the bottle along the rack to the end where, if the coin had deposited just right, you'd be able to lift your bottle up and out. Then sticking the cap into the bottle opener hole, pressing down, and wait for the sound of it popping off and falling down into the machine amongst the other caps. The sound of the soda's effervescence escaping from the bottle soon followed. Put the bottle to your mouth and usually you could feel the fizziness against your noise. If you finished the bottle while still at the station you'd put it in a wooden box next to the machine so it could be returned to the bottler to be filled again and again and....

I found this ad on the back of the February 1954 National Geographic. It brings back memories of trips to the lunch counter at Woolworth's with my grandmother and mom in Harrisburg, PA. Having a burger and a Coke while out shopping. Good times. Good times. 

Click on image to see it larger.

I do not know who the illustrator was. If anyone ever reads this and knows I'd be happy to add the information.

One other thing, the ad copy. "Because its goodness never changes" sure couldn't be said these days. Yes, I drank Coca Cola as a child and teenager, but not a lot. But when they stopped using sugar and went with the high fructose corn syrup...aaaakkkkkk!!!! Hate the stuff. Can't get it down. I remember for awhile my best friend had a "stash" from Mexico where they still used sugar. The difference in flavor is amazing. These days the only time I drink a soda is when I'm sick. Then I crave 7-Up or root beer. The rest of the year I won't go near the stuff. So Coke screwed up. They lost me as a customer a very long time ago. New Coke didn't even come close to old traditional Coke. You had a good thing going until you let ADM convince you "corn syrup" were the words of the future.

Gonna take a SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

Luxury liners and cruising the high seas, on the whole, simply isn't like it once was. Of course, nothing is. But once upon a time cruise ships were glorious to look at instead of the behemoth top heavy monstrosities that they are today. 

The following three Cunard Lines menus all date from 1954 and I found all three, along with several others, in a trash can following an elderly woman's death. Her family loaded up the can with all of the ephemera from her trip to Europe and I was just as quickly there to retrieve it. 

Of the three, my favorite is the Queen Mary because I have photos of my Scottish grandmother on board in the mid-50s and a few decades later I was able to walk around the ship in Long Beach, California. Last year my friend's husband filmed an episode of a tv show aboard the old beauty

Click on any image to see it larger.

R.M.S. Queen Mary - June 21, 1954 - Farewell Dinner - artist: C. E. Turner

R.M.S. Queen Mary...sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line (then Cunard White Star Line). Built by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, she was designed to be the first of Cunard's planned two-ship weekly express service from Southampton to Cherbourg to New York, in answer to the mainland European superliners of the late 1920s and early 1930s. After their release from World War II troop transport duties, Queen Mary and her running mate RMS Queen Elizabeth commenced this two-ship service and continued it for two decades until Queen Mary's retirement in 1967. The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is permanently berthed in Long Beach, California serving as a museum ship and hotel. (SOURCE: Wikipedia)

R.M.S. Ascania - April 17, 1954 - Farewell Dinner - artist: unknown

Ascania was the fifth of Cunard's six "A" liners. Although she was launched late in 1923, her completion was delayed and she did not make her maiden voyage, from London to Montreal, until 22 May 1925.

She remained on that route until 1939 when, like all the "A" liners, she was requisitioned as an armed merchant cruiser. She was later converted into an infantry landing ship and took part in the invasion of Sicily and the landing at Anzio in 1943. The only "A" liner to return to Cunard service after the war, she ran on an austerity service from Liverpool to Halifax from 1947 to 1949, and after a 1950 refitting was placed on Cunard's Liverpool-Montreal service. Ascania again saw service as a troop carrier during the 1956 Suez crisis before being broken up in 1957. (SOURCE: Haws' Merchant Fleets; Bonsor's North Atlantic Seaway.)

Britannia - June 18, 1954 - Luncheon - artist: C. E. Turner

The 'Britannia', a wooden paddle steamer of 1150 tons, was the first of four ships with which Samuel Cunard began the first regular Atlantic steamship line. In this spirited impression by the noted British marine artist, C. E. Turner she is leaving Liverpool on her maiden voyage, July 45h 1840." (SOURCE: back of menu)

To read about the founder of the Cunard Lines, Samuel Cunard, click here.