Driving in NYC 1945

[adileo]

https://youtu.be/gJjecNWd6R4

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Always interesting to see clips like this. It's amazing how relatively few FORDS you see in the overall traffic count. Anyone have a clue as to why all of that particular brand of taxi cabs had their front fenders so radically trimmed-back? Anyone know what brand of cars they were? Sure is an unfamiliar grill/hood configuration. DD

 

[cas3]

pretty cool! those cabs are something i never saw before

 

[ford38v8]

Always interesting to see clips like this. It's amazing how relatively few FORDS you see in the overall traffic count. Anyone have a clue as to why all of that particular brand of taxi cabs had their front fenders so radically trimmed-back? Anyone know what brand of cars they were? Sure is an unfamiliar grill/hood configuration. DD

No real answers, but I've got a couple ideas...
First, NYC was most definitely NOT Ford Country in 1945! No love lost there!
About the taxi cabs, maybe a brilliant idea on how to repair front end damage on the cheap, and attain a brand recognition in the bargain!

 

[V8COOPMAN]

No real answers, but I've got a couple ideas...
First, NYC was most definitely NOT Ford Country in 1945! No love lost there!
About the taxi cabs, maybe a brilliant idea on how to repair front end damage on the cheap, and attain a brand recognition in the bargain!

Some good thoughts there, Alan. DD

 

[38bill]

Always interesting to see clips like this. It's amazing how relatively few FORDS you see in the overall traffic count. Anyone have a clue as to why all of that particular brand of taxi cabs had their front fenders so radically trimmed-back? Anyone know what brand of cars they were? Sure is an unfamiliar grill/hood configuration. DD

The ones with the goofy lights and front ends are Checker model A's.

 

[mhsprecher]

Great info, 38bill! I had never heard of them before! Most of the others are Chrysler corp taxis. I think Desotos were very popular. There is a 42 Desoto with hidden headlights about half way through.

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_83252-Checker-Model-A-1940.html

 

[zzlegend]

A lot of Jay Walkers taking their life in their hands. Especially dodging those trimmed fenders.

 

[adileo]

correct on Checker M-A

 

[jimTN]

Packard taxies, lack of open cars, coupes and few station wagons.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Packard taxies, lack of open cars, coupes and few station wagons.

There were a FEW white wall tires in the mix. DD

 

[Graeme / New Zealand]

What amazes me is that this is only 1945 yet any vehicle pre 1930 seems to have already disappeared from the cities roads (except the horse and cart).

GB

 

[Anteek29]

Seems like half the cars were taxi's!

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Seems like half the cars were taxi's!

That's pretty much the same way it is today in Deblazioville. DD

 

[NYfatboy]

Seems like half the cars were taxi's!

They still are!

 

[mhsprecher]

Wikipedia says that there is only one surviving Checker Model A! Wow! No wonder few of us had any idea what they were.

 

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

What amazes me is that this is only 1945 yet any vehicle pre 1930 seems to have already disappeared from the cities roads (except the horse and cart).

GB

Suspect related to wartime scrap drives

Adam

 

[19Fordy]

Gosh, the policeman directing traffic must have had eyes in the back of his head.

 

[Old Redneck]

Ford was busy with the War making no cars. I don't know about Chrysler, Packard and Studebaker.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Ford was busy with the War making no cars. I don't know about Chrysler, Packard and Studebaker.

Packard and Studebaker were building aircraft engines...Packard building Merlin's, and Studebaker building Pratt & Whitney's. DD