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Topic starter
02/12/2024 1:03 am
Have been thorughly enjoying Geoff Jewett's brass era thread and everyone's additions and thought I might contribute a few pictures of mine. Love the cars, have a few, but wondered, what defines a Brass Era automobile?
The Brass Era is an American term for the early period of automotive manufacturing, named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time for such features as lights and radiators. It is generally considered to encompass 1896 through 1915, a time when cars were often referred to as horseless carriages. Early automakers turned to brass for their vehicles for both its looks and function. It held up well against tarnishing and bad weather, but required regular polishing to maintain its appearance. Through this period, electric, gasoline, and steam propulsion power were the power trains of choice, though gas-powered internal combustion engines were dominant by the end of this period.
The agreed-upon cutoff of the Brass Era was 1915, the final year that the Ford Model T was available with brass fitments. At this point the style had also begun to be considered outdated, and by the 1920s few if any vehicles continued to employ brass in their designs. - Wikkipedia
Pre-Brass Era vehicles
Tough to polish this 1st brass "truck" which was designed to haul artillery. Unfortunately the French official which was championing the experiment lost his job, thus the financing and the expertise learned was also lost. Sometimes wonder if steam might not been more significant now if that had not been the case. All three models by Brumm
Two of the English ventures.
Goldsworth Gurney's Steam-stage-coach could travel the 106 miles between London and Bath at ~12 mph carrying 18 passengers in 1828.
Brass Era vehicles
Three Important early autos. Karl Benz's Patent-Motorwagon, the 1st gasoline powered vehicle of 1885 on the right. The 1st Mercedes of 1901 on the left, it's importance described under the 1/18th scale model below. Both Mercedes had shed their brass and also their fenders in order to race, both by Distiller. There is a blue fendered road car available. The one in the middle is the first Audi, Type A of 1909 nicely shown in one of Geoff's threads.
Three 1903 Model A Cadillac's differently bodied, these 1st Caddies are by eMc
A pretty hodge-podge with a red 1906 Renault in the back. A Brumm Model
1906 Rolls Royce 10hp, 2 seater, Phaeton body by Barker toward the back, 2 views, some of the front and some of the rear end. Top Marques Model
Early speed racing cars, mixed years but most are of the brass era. The yellow one holds the 1st official LSR (land speed record) and was electric powered. The Peerless Green Dragon has a frame but no floor under the drivers feet and seat & that's just nuts. Dust & Glory Models
Shed the fenders, add a number, and race. Dust & Glory Models
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
02/12/2024 2:38 am
Steve they are sensational. cars and settings. How about the early open wheel racers and the speeds they achieved? Imagine sitting behind the wheel at 120-140mph in one of these:
Trying to pick favorites is really too hard, but if you held me down! The 3 Cadillacs...beautiful
And thanks too for the historic information
02/12/2024 1:02 pm
I love those EMC Caddys. I have most of them but missed the panel wagon.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
02/12/2024 2:21 pm
Planning to finish up all the way to 1915.
The Bebe was produced from 1905 - 1916. At 110 inches long and only 770 pounds it was "mighty" successful. It's selling price was deliberately kept as low as possible, technologies like rack and pinion steering and a driveshaft instead of a chain were included in the vehicle. It was designed by Ettore Bugatti
Bugatti's first car bearing his name was about the same size.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world was this work of art. Which you can read about here: https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/the-brooke-swan-car-is-this-the-craziest-car-ever/
Returning to race cars of the era is this Buick.
These two made history at the Indianapolis 500 being the first two winners. the yellow single seater was also unique in that it sported a rear view mirror, a first. Most race cars of this era had a riding mechanic, sans mechanic was news worthy at the time. Please note on #8 the rock protecting screen in front of the driver.
Then there are the Rollers at my garage. Top Marques & Franklin Mint
The vintage Raindrop. The A.L.F.A 40/60 HP was race and road car made by Italian car manufacturer A.L.F.A (later Alfa Romeo). In 1914 Marco Ricotti from Carrozzeria Castagna designed the Aerodinamica prototype model which could reach 139 km/h top speed. Rio model
Finally the BeAll-EndAll Ford Model T, the most significant auto ever produced, proudly being shown by Mr. Henry Ford himself.
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
02/12/2024 5:23 pm
Can't help but comment on the Rio ALFA Aerodinamica - what a weird beast! Check out the one door! Rio did a pretty good job with the colors this time! Count Marco Ricotti had it commissioned, but I wonder if he ever got it past 100kph! Scary!
02/12/2024 9:45 pm
An EMC Brooke Swan car! Be still my beating heart!
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
03/12/2024 7:37 pm
Much appreciate your comments gentlemen, some responses.
Goeff - yes, brave and crazy men those drivers 
without belts and literally just hanging on to some really big steering wheels at speed (and sometimes flying out).
John - Caddie Panel wagon and especially the Swan car are just plain COOL 
Karl - Thanks for the pic of the real thing, was unaware of the bodies swirled wire etchings. The WWI 1914 Jeannin Stahltaube had swirled etchings on the aluminum engine cowling and they are similar to those found on most Bugatti engines & fire walls.
The Stahltaube cowling was painted on with two different silvers, the 1:1's used a wire brush on a drill to create the patterns. I did as similar thing with a Dremel tool on the Bugatti, about 25 yrs ago when I built it. The plane is 1/32nd scale the Bug 1/20th.
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
04/12/2024 12:21 am
Amazing Dremel work on the plane and the Bug! I always called it (matte) gunmetal or mottled finish. Tekno used it on their baseplates of a certain age...
04/12/2024 1:30 am
@stewil Outstanding Collection and always a pleasure to discover so much hidden secrets. I particularly like the steam carriage models. I used to have some of them in the mid 1960's.
Am I correct that Brumm and RIO were already making some amazing and detailed replicas at the time? For sure they were in acrylic display cases.
Geoff Jowett and John Kuvakas reacted
04/12/2024 7:50 am
Rio started in 1961 or 2 and Brumm was 1972. Rio started out making some models for Dugu (1961-75). These were all made as collector models from the beginning.
Yesteryears and L'Age d'Ors were made by toy car companies that decided to go for the collector market years after they were founded...
04/12/2024 10:02 am
Guys, thanks for this very entertaining brass era post. Brought back excellent memories of my early collecting. I was amazed at how many of these models that I had, and still have. Need to go through a few boxes.
Topic starter
04/12/2024 7:23 pm
Much appreciate your sharing"moments in model car history" with us. Your FIAT picture reminded me of a Brumm model that I detailed once upon a time.
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
05/12/2024 8:31 am
06/12/2024 3:48 pm
For Steve @stewil (not super-detailed, just mint out of the box!) - 1923 Fiat Mefistofele comparo - Dugu vs Brumm!
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