1952 road trip in Ford station wagon

[Old Henry]

If this doesn't take you back nothing will. A great cross country road trip in 1952 in a Ford station wagon and trailer to see all the sites from Chicago to Yellowstone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW1mQb4BBf8 Well worth the watch. When I was a kid we took such trips in a 53 wagon. Wow! Does this video take me back. That's when I fell in love with road trips. Nothin' like 'em.

Here are some shots from one of our trips from Utah in 1959.

Louisiana





Boarding the ferry to cross the Mississippi River.





Driving across the Royal Gorge suspension bridge. The highest suspension bridge in the world at that time.



On the Lake Pontchartrain Bridge in New Orleans, the longest bridge in the world at that time (24 miles long).

[trainguy]

Really brings back memories!Also reminds me how corny the movies were back then.Really neet cars in the background.Henry thanks for sharing it with us.Phil

[Barry-ct]

It's too bad that we as a people are moving so fast today. My family took a road trip in 1964 from Conn.to Wisconsin. I saw that part of America from the 3rd seat in a 64 Buick Special station wagon. I loved it! We slept in a pop up camper my Dad rented. I would love to travel that way again, but we're spoiled by the interstate highways. So much is bypassed by traveling those roads. Plus the costs are expensive to do a cross country trip. One can dream, can't we.
I enjoyed that film, it showed me a simpler life that is gone. A little hokey, but that's what made it enjoyable!

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Barry-ct

It's too bad that we as a people are moving so fast today. My family took a road trip in 1964 from Conn.to Wisconsin. I saw that part of America from the 3rd seat in a 64 Buick Special station wagon. I loved it! We slept in a pop up camper my Dad rented. I would love to travel that way again, but we're spoiled by the interstate highways. So much is bypassed by traveling those roads. Plus the costs are expensive to do a cross country trip. One can dream, can't we.
I enjoyed that film, it showed me a simpler life that is gone. A little hokey, but that's what made it enjoyable!

That was certainly the message of the movie "Cars".

Sally: Forty years ago, that interstate down there didn't exist.
Lightning McQueen: Really?
Sally: Yeah. Back then, cars came across the country a whole different way.
Lightning McQueen: How do you mean?
Sally: Well, the road didn't cut through the land like that interstate. It moved with the land, it rose, it fell, it curved. Cars didn't drive on it to make great time. They drove on it to have a great time.

I still do. I avoid freeways like the plague on my road trips, and deadlines and schedules are totally out.

[mfagan]

Great film, really ejoyed the story, the cars, and the memories!!

[HP Hunter]

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Looks like a 1953?? Not a big deal, nice picture

Just got it, the trip was 1952, sorry.
Harry

[Ross F-1]

Great film, and yes, it was corny in places. What's striking to me is how uncrowded everything was back then. Also striking how nicely everyone was dressed.

[Old Henry]

Of course, the granddaddy of all road trip movies (and one of my favorite comedies) is "The Long, Long Trailer" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. They even used a Mercury to pull their trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTo581Bf8hk

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

They even used a Mercury to pull their trailer.

They even used a Lincoln at times, too! DD

[Fibber Mcgee]

Is it just my eyes or does the rear bumper already looked trashed?

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

Is it just my eyes or does the rear bumper already looked trashed?

Which bumper are you referring to?

[Fibber Mcgee]

On the wagon,third picture from the top ,it looks bent around the hitch.

[Ianrhall]

I'll be doing a road trip in a 53 customline to the goodwood revival this weekend!

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

On the wagon,third picture from the top ,it looks bent around the hitch.

Ah, that one. That is from the trailer hitch that dad hooked to the bumper to pull his trailer. It's just a piece of angle iron bolted to the bumper on each end with a hole in the middle for the ball. The bumper is actually broken in the picture by the hitch. But, until it came clear off he was good to go.



He actually put the same kind of hitch on Old Henry, except that it was held on to the bumper by just one bolt. I still have the hitch. Here's how it rode.




Still have that bolt hole in the bumper with a bolt in it. Never know when I might decide to pull a trailer again.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

They even used a Lincoln at times, too! DD

They had to use a Lincoln (disguised as a Mercury) because the Merc wouldn't pull the trailer up some of the hills they tried to navigate. Even then it looks like the camera was tilted somewhat to make the hills look steeper.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by CarlG

They had to use a Lincoln (disguised as a Mercury) because the Merc wouldn't pull the trailer up some of the hills they tried to navigate. Even then it looks like they camera was tilted somewhat to make the hills look steeper.

Yes the road in the picture was actually level as you can tell by looking at the layers in the formations behind it which are level. And, that wasn't Lucy and Dezi in the car either. So, no Mercury, no hill, and no stars.

Way to go spoiling the fun.

[CarlG]

Anyway, I saw the movie when it first came out. Ended up having a '52 and a '53 Mercury AND a trailer, although not all at the same time. (Also, currently have a Lincoln). Who says that movies don't leave lasting impressions!

[4dFord/SC]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

Yes the road in the picture was actually level as you can tell by looking at the layers in the formations behind it which are level. And, that wasn't Lucy and Dezi in the car either. So, no Mercury, no hill, and no stars.

Someone's got some 'splainin' to do

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 4dFord/SC

Someone's got some 'splainin' to do

That's show biz.

[rowens55]

That film was made the year of my birth!! I really does bring back some memories!! We took a trip in 59-60 from Cal to Kansas in a 57 DeSoto. Car got hit by a bolt of lightning!! Never forget it!! Thanks for the "sentimental journey".