Another Monday, and again you are at McD’s in Ellington (Rt. 301 and I-75) waiting on Carol, Linda and Jean who are shopping at the outlet. The prize, another lunch at Crab Trap II. Today, however, Jean drove Bob’s car, a relatively new maroon Cadillac Escalade.
Jean’s husband, Bob N., is a good-sized fellow – the SUV is certainly comfortable enough, sunroof, lots of built in gadgets, navigation and Bose speakers no less. One certainly sits up high enough. Not my cup of tea but each to their own. Actually, I feel a bit lost in here. The largest car we ever owned was a Mercury Sable.
Bob is into cars, his other is a truck with everything on it but it is a specialized company car owned by law enforcement with whom Bob works as he has a master’s in forensics investigation. Jean was telling me about his cars and the family’s interest in racing and it reminded me of my old high school friend, Don L., (he was left tackle and I was right on a single wing line at Westerville High) whose father had a restored 1936 Cord that was similar to this:
The black Cord was an awesome automobile with electric shift and a turbocharger that kicked in at about 70 mph. This was one of the coolest cars I have ever had the pleasure to joy ride in and this was back in 1958.
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What was so special about the Cord?
What the maker called "The New Cord Front Drive" was the only front wheel drive car built in America in that era. (An earlier Cord was manufactured from 1929 to 1932.) Today, front drive has triumphed as the preferred method of propulsion the world over. In a 1936 model, it was a curiosity.
What made the Cord 810 immortal, though, was it's stunning styling. To appreciate the impact, you must see it next to other 1936 American cars. The Cord stood nearly a foot lower than the rest. It had (and needed) no running boards. Its headlights were concealed in the front fenders. It had no radiator-like grille --- just continuous louvers around the front and side of the hood. That hood opened from the front. There were few protuberances and almost no chrome on the exterior. Its twin taillights were flush with the body, and its gas filler was covered by a lid. The horn blew by touching a ring, and the engine-turned dash panel included a tachometer. Interiors were done in rich broadcloth and leather, in colors contrasting with the paint.
Sure, those features all became commonplace on American cars over the following decades --- but the Cord was first. And, still one of the beautiful integrated body designs ever to grace a production car!
From: www.automaven.com/FAQs/faqs.html
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My (very kind) grandfather, (Popo) Orndorff loaned me the money (I paid him back in full with interest) and I bought the car outright – everything I wanted. The Volkswagen was dark green with a beige leatherette interior, a metal sunroof, AM/FM radio (new then) and a rear speaker as well as pop-out rear windows, leatherette seats and air conditioning.
This is a 1966 VW but very similar to 1965 in front
In 1966, I did have a used Porsche for the day as I was going to trade in my 1965 VW Beetle the first car I ever bought new.
The Porsche I almost bought used was gray
with a red leather interior instead.
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So much on your love affair with automobiles.
I’m sure the Dead had similar enthusiasms for their favorite horses, chariots, wagons and/or other modes of transportation.
Why don’t you ever write about it then? – Amorella
I never thought about it.
Find an image of a favorite steed of Arthur online. – Amorella
Checking with a couple of sources this looks the best (slightly edited):
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From Wikipedia (the Destrier)
The destrier is the best-known war horse of the medieval era. It carried knights in battles, tournaments, and jousts. It was described by contemporary sources as the Great Horse, due to its size and reputation.
The term destrier is derived from the Vulgar Latin dextarius, meaning "right-sided" (the same root as our modern dexterous and dexterity). This may refer to the fact that it was led by the squire at the knight's right side (or led by the right hand) or to the horse's gait, (possibly leading with the right).
While highly prized by knights and men-at-arms, the destrier was actually not very common. Most knights and mounted men-at-arms rode other war horses, such as coursers and rounceys. These three types of horse were often referred to generically as chargers.
Characteristics of the destrier
The word destrier does not refer to a breed, but to a type of horse: the finest and strongest warhorse. These horses were usually stallions, bred and raised from foalhood specifically for the needs of war. The destrier was perhaps more suited to the joust; coursers seem to have been preferred for other types of warfare. They had powerful hindquarters, able to easily coil and spring to stop, spin, turn or sprint forward. They also had a short back and well-muscled loin, strong bone, and a well-arched neck. From medieval art, the head of the destrier appears to have had a straight or slightly convex profile, strong, wide jaw, and good width between the eyes.
The destrier was specifically for use in battle or tournament; for everyday riding, a knight would use a palfrey, and his baggage would be carried on a sumpter horse (or packhorse), or possibly in wagons.
From: Wikipedia - Destrier
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I found a modern Andalusian-Friesian Cross, a Warlander, is one of the closest modern breeds to a warhorse of the 7th century. Here is a Wiki-image of such a horse:
I think this is a horse that both Arthur and Merlyn would favor for different reasons: Arthur for magnificent practicality, intelligence and vigor while Merlyn would appreciate his noble physical features, gait and poise. I can see both of them talking about such a once singular horse as a friend and I would talk about a classic Cord or Porsche.
Good. Come up with a name for this stallion. Post for today. Enjoy “The Closer” at nine. - Amorella
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