The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Chunny wrote "Hong Kong is putting together it's first Vintage Car Fair and I have been asked to put together a small exhibition of gramophones and phonographs as well as DJ for a few hours. I have come across a few ad's and postcards both with cars and gramophones. Any other images would be great."

Here is an image from 1928 featuring cars and gramophones. When Cliftophone purchased a fleet of Brocklebank cars they could hardly have chosen a more obscure make.

Brocklebank cars were built in Birmingham from 1925 to 1929, and were advertised as "Birmingham's answer to the American challenge". This did not prevent them from using American components as the only model, a 2051cc six cylinder, had a Warner transmission and Lockheed brakes.

Total production has been estimated at no more than 600, so the Cliftophone order must have been one of Brocklebank's largest.

In over 40 years as a classic car owner I have never seen a Brocklebank, but I have seen several Cliftophones.

This photo might amuse---an EMG Mk Xb Oversize aboard a 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile. Not a great performer against the slightest headwind it is true to say..................

Using the horn as an air intake might extract a few more horsepower from the engine, but that would be offset by the increase in wind resistance .

Roger.

Far from amusing is "The Dodge Brothers March," issued I believe on Emerson in 1921 after the death of Horace Dodge. It was written by Victor Herbert to commemorate Horace's support of the Detroit orchestra and concert hall. It was performed by the Dodge Brothers factory band. On the reverse side is a recitation of "They were brothers" reflecting Horace's death and the equally tragic death of John Dodge not quite one year earlier. John died in early 1920 in the second round of the 1918 flue epidemic that killed so many world wide. Horace died later that year, said to be of a broken heart, but quite possibly of too much alcohol --- probably a consequence of a broken heart.

I have digital copies of these two recordings but, being an avid Dodge Brothers car collector, would love an original 78 some day. I understand this was issued on both 10-inch and 12-inch records. Not sure what was added or deleted on the two varieties. Also I do not know whether this was issued for general sales or a private recording for dealers and friends.

Does this qualify in your discussion of auto related recordings?

John

I should say so! That record would be quite a find!

I shall be very interested to see what vintage cars survive in your part of the world.

Well Roger, That is a very good question and I'll post some pictures after the event which is held 10-12 October. A lot of cars in Hong Kong are "Prestige" cars owned by the rich and famous.Most people have always used the excellent public transport system which is way faster than driving. Nothing sadder than seeing a brand new Porsche crawling along followed by a choking Lamborghini, knowing they will never ever be driven faster than 70mph and that for only a few minutes. I'm sure most vintage cars in HK have ridiculously low mileages on their meters. All puff and nowhere to go.
I'll have to dig out my Cliftophone, thanks for the ad. Graham, what can I say, thank you for the excellent Oldsmobile picture.

Does this qualify in your discussion of auto related recordings?

Sure does, Thank you John for the Dodge Brothers story. Excellent sheet music too.

emgcr wrote:This photo might amuse---an EMG Mk Xb Oversize aboard a 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile. Not a great performer against the slightest headwind it is true to say..................

Wow---I need a horn like that on my '02 Prius to scare the wits out of all the bad drivers over here!

I have just thought to investigate the Cal Stewart recording of "Uncle Josh buys an automobile" on You Tube and see that there are several recordings available. The Victor version is the clearest to listen to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAEaGPzJEhc Blue Amberol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu2uh0tnUM4 Edison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XhT3IIxEEg Victor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5TiyV8aniA Columbia

Roger mentioned "He'd have to get under, get out and get under"---here's Billy Murray singing..............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBRzUzJErL8

Here is an absolutely wonderful site with sheetmusic and even mp3's of cylinders.
http://www.authentichistory.com/1898-19 ... index.html