Veterans in America

A recent issue of the American magazine “Life” published many excellent photographs of James Melton’s collection of veteran cars, many of which are soon to be housed in a $50,000 museum to be built at Merritt Parkway, Stamford, by the State of Connecticut – the sort of thing we should have had long ago in this country. Melton is a radio singer and vice-president of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America. He owns some 60 veterans, including 1898 de Dion Quad, 1900 Rockwell Hansom, 1903 one-cylinder Oldsmobile tonneau, 1904 Orient Buckboard, 1904 air-cooled four-cylinder Franklin, 1905 two-cylinder Buick, 1908 model-T Ford, 1909 7-seater White Steamer, 1917 Rauch and Lang electric brougham, 1910 Stanley Steamer, 1910 Speedwell roadster, 1908 Mercédès, an 1893 steam-propelled stage coach, a 1903 Ford, a 1907 solid-tyred Fuller, and the 1908 Fiat landaulette owned by “Diamond Jim” Brady. His wife has been using a 1903 Columbia electric for short runs since petrol rationing began, and they plan to use the Rauch and Lang electric brougham this winter. These cars are cared for at Melton’s Westport, Connecticut, estate, and restoring them has represented thousands of dollars and man-hours. Those mentioned are all beautifully illustrated in “Life,” the 1910 Stanley Steamer very much in action.