the essex mystery car- starts and drives itself

hoggyrubber

i came across this neat old promotion at the oliver motor company here in springfield, mo in june of 1929. it describes a essex that will start on it's own, drive foward and back 40 or more feet, and turn on it's lights. it was a week long spectacle that had several show times thruout the day. it also tied in lots of other businesses in town like glass works, gas statons, tire shops, and other stuff. has anybody ever heard of this? i wondered if it was one car that made rounds to different dealerships or if it was just here in springfield?
this was such a cool story i had to copy it. it's a shame this dealership building is gone on boonville avenue.

ernie28

What a neat thing to find. Certainly worth preserving. Thanks for sharing.

Jon B

A 1928 Essex was made into a radio-controlled car. There's a photo at the Library of Congress showing its inventor standing next to it, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2012649427/ . Possibly this was demonstrated at various Hudson-Essex dealers around the country as a promotion. (Sorry I can't get a better photo; you can only do so by traveling to the Library of Congress!)

hoggyrubber

wait, the flyer said no radio or electrical controls or hidden driver. they couldn't be fudgin' the truth could they? ) wonder if that is the same car! thanks for the link Jon B.
i thought the mystery had still not been solved 85 years later.

[Deleted User]

I did a Google search of it and found it had toured a few areas of the country in the same manor as the Springfield event,
Roger

hoggyrubber

Roger you must be a better googler than i! tried every search i could think of. bet you are right, it prob went on tour like bonnie and clyde's car.

[Deleted User]

I must say it was difficult to diciffer ,it didnt show up in the title line but in the following verbage . And not the top where you would ecpect but about 4 results down or so.
Roger