HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE ??

[JIM CLC # 15000]

03-31-05
TO: USED, ABUSED, and MISUSED, Cadillac and La Salle oweners.aka car nuts, lovers of old iron.
Back in my younger days, myself and the boys I ran around with would go (hitch-hike) to the local "dirt-round-the-round" race track.
We delighted-in re-setting the top speed indicator on the motorcycles that were in the parking area.
But, One week-end there was a new OLDS 88 parked that had a
"see-thru" hood, so people could see the new Rocket 88 engine with-out having to open the hood. Has anyone seen them?
Also, about 1947, PORD shipped there new cars "sans" bumpers, useing a "flat-black" painted 2X8 instead. Word was that chrome was in short supply and the bumpers would be installed as they become availiable. (Nineteen fifty-two CHEVs had less "chrome trim" then previous years).
It is hard for some of the younger people to understand that in those days, a lot of things that are standard equipment today was optional back then. (heater and hub caps come to mind)
Good Luck, OH-for the Good ole days, Jim

[Robt.Vonheck -via SunDiego Calif. 80*f -today]

Jimbo:   -Yes, ive a very good picture of the so called glass-hood 49-50/Olds-88;  --great good old American promotional-idea to be sure;  --anyone want a copy just E-me....  
~Bob vH  (-wish we could post such pix here)

[Paul W Allen CLC#20193]

One was for sale on eBay a short while back. It was for a 53 Oldsmobile. They were made to show off the "Rocket 88" engine in the Dealer Showrooms. It wasnt all glass or plastic, but a regular hood with two clear panels cut out of it.

Paul
53 Coupe
Dynaflow

[Jim Skelly, CLC #15958]

Ford also did it with the 54 Ford to show off the new engine.  There is a car in the Detroit area with that hood.  Its displayed at local car shows.

GM had the transparent bodies on the 39 Pontiac for the New York Worlds Fair.  I know that one of the two cars still exists.

[Bruce B.- CLC 1476]

Jim... Olsmobiles Sales Promotion Dept. probably sent those "Peek-a-Boo" hoods out to dealers with their parts orders as several of them have shown up at Fall Hershey Swap Meets in recent years with dealer shipping labels on them still... apparently never having been installed on showroom cars.Perhaps they cutaway more hoods than they had franchised dealer outlets???  Stranger things have happened at GM !
    A few years back Chevy came up with a computer program to automatically re-order service parts based on demand history. Then they found themselves with an inventory of more 1958 Corvette hood medallions than surviving cars. Investigation determined that a kids go-kart manufacturer had been ordering the medallions in huge quantities... but had since gone out of business ! ( If you have a 58 dont buy a repop from an aftermarket supplier, I think there are still more than a few original equipment pieces available in the factory pipeline.)

[Doug Houston]

There was (and still is) a 40 Pontiac, done in clear plastic. I dont know which plastic it would have been; hopefully not nitrocellulose, but someone has the car, and had to do quite a bit of work on it to get it restored. Ive seen pictures of it.

[Paul Flykt CLC # 18899]

I was in Vegas for the NASCAR race and saw one on a 49 98 convertible for sale at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas. Heres the link:

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/2/6/77087026.htm TARGET=_blank>http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/2/6/77087026.htm

[densie]

  Ive been wanting to see that auto museum at the IP every time I go to Vegas, but in the many times that Ive been there, even the time that I stayed at the IP, I never got around to it.  Maybe next week...Im headed back up there again.

  Were going by private plane this time.  I took the hearse last year, but it actually costs less to take the plane, 10 mpg vs. 7 or so.  Freaking big Cadillacs.  haha

-densie

[Matt Mersereau]

The "see through hood" gimmick is still being done today believe it or not. The John Deere L series mowers sold at Home Depot are the latest to use this advertising schtick. When I first saw it a few weeks ago I thought to myself... "cool!, Ive gotta get that hood for MY lawnmower". Itd be pretty snazzy at night with a set of Christmas lights strung around the engine!

[Paul Flykt CLC # 18899]

The Imperial Palaces museum is worth your time, a nice cross section of cars. A few years ago they had more Duesenburgs then they have now but still an enjoyable couple of hours. Each time I have gone they have been handing out free passes on the sidewalk in front of the casino during the day.