“Under the Bridge”  Was a column in the “Auto Echoes”.  Since a (different) car was placed “Under the Bridge”  (Veranzano Narrows Bridge) every month on the cover, as shown above, the article became known as “Under the Bridge”.  The following articles, (originally written by Sal DeFrancesco) about those cars as they appeared between 1980 – 1991.    
 The Chevrolet had a new body and chassis design for 1949. But the engine was the same 216.5 cubic-inch overhead-valve six, which Chevy had in 1948.  The styling in 1949 was the beginning of a style that changed slightly year-to-year until 1955.  This 1949 Convertible is the type of car that belongs to Louis Dujmich.

The  1950 Dodge had a slight but acceptable change from 1949.  The grill was three horizontal bars, they dropped the egg crate look from the previous year.  The overall look of the car had nicer lines than 1949.   Mechanically they remained the same.  They had a good production year, going over 325,000.  A car similar to this is owned by Mae & Frank Juliano.

In 1964, American  Motors announced all-new styling, all-new luxury in their all-new Ramblers.  New curved glass side windows, new improved suspension for a better ride.  New, Rambler Classic-6 or V-8.  New also was 33,000 mile or 3-year classic lubrications.

1936 Chevrolet, a great year for them.  Their production went over 931,000.  It put them on the number two spot.  This was the second year for the “Turret-Top” A-body sheet metal.  Another great item was adaptation of Hydraulic brakes.  Chevrolet had one engine for both series.  It was the last time for a while that they offered two different wheel bases.  109 inches for the Standard, and 113 inches for the Master.  A total of 13 models were available  this year.

1964  the Chrysler Newport was the popular car in the Chrysler line.  It was also the least expensive: just slightly about $3,000.  It was built on a 122 inch wheelbase, with an overall length of 215 inches.  This was a good production year for Chrysler, over 145,000 cars being built.

In 1964 the Buick compacts got a little longer.  The Special and Skylark were given a 115 inch wheelbase.  The Skylark, which was part of the Special series, were getting more popular.  In 1964 they were almost neck and neck in sales.  By the end of the decade, it would be 5 Skylarks to 1 Special.  Mid. Model year of 1961 the name Skylark was reintroduced.  It was a smash in 1953.  Again it will get popular, with a V-8 engine under the hood.

LINCOLN ZEPHYR TOWN CAR. The Lincoln Zephyr was introduced in late 1935 as a lower-priced member of the Lincoln family.  It was considered the first successfully designed streamlined  cal in the U.S.  Built on a 125-inch wheelbase, the design was powered by a twelve-cylinder, 75°  vee, water-cooled, 292-cubic-inch-displacement engine.  Vacuum-booster power breaks were fitted.  Lincoln offered standard body styles, but the custom designs were completed by Le Baron, Brunn, Judkin, Dietrich, and Willoughby.

The Chevrolet Business Coupe.  This two-seater Chevrolet Coupe of 1936 was welcomed by businessmen, because of its extralarge trunk that extended to the back of the seats.  Power was a sixcylinder, overhead-valve, inline, water-cooled engine of 74 hp. at 3,200 rpm.  Displacement was 206.8 cubic inches.  Maximum speed was over 80 mph.  Optional equipment included independent front suspension.

In 1965, Oldsmobile had styled, powered and priced their cars to put you WHERE THE ACTION IS.  There was a great line up, starting with the Ninety-Eight, the Starfire, Delta 88, Jetstar II and Jetstar 88   and F-85.  All models included a Station Wagon.  Shown above is a 1965 Starfire convertible.

During 1931, the Oaklands and Pontiacs shared the same lines and features.   The Pontiac had a straight 6 Cylinder, while the Oakland had a 251 cubic inch V-8 sitting on a 117 inch wheelbase.  In 1932 the Oakland Eight became the Pontiac8.   Shown above is a 1931 4-dr. Oakland.

In 1931, Buick switched from 6 cylinders to 8 cylinders on all their models.  They came out with 3 different straight eights.  In four series, designated 50, 60, 80, and 90.  The series 50 was on the 114-inch wheelbase, the 60 used the 118-inch wheelbase.  The 80 and 90 sharing the 344 cid engine used the 124-inch on the 80 and 132-inch wheelbase for the 90.

The Baker Electric.  Walter C. Baker was working for a ballbearing manufacturer when he built his first electric car in 1898.  In the following year the Baker Motor vehicle company was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, and the first Baker production vehicle was made.  This 1899 car had three forward speeds and a one-horsepower motor.  Speed was about 25 mph., and range was about 50 miles between battery charges.  Ball bearings were used throughout the Baker.  In 1915 the firm joined with Rauch and Lang to form Baker, Rauch and Lang.

The “Graham Blue Streak Sedan.”   The Graham Brothers bought the Paige-Detroit firm, and after calling the cars Graham Paige for three years, the name was shortened to Graham in 1930.  This 1932 Graham was truly distinctive, because it was the first U.S. car to use front-fender skirts, and the chassis side-frame had banjo openings to provide greater strength and a better  ride.  Shock absorbers plus springs were installed.  The powerplant was an eight- -cylinder, inline, L-head made of aluminum, with a 245-cubic-inch displacement that developed 90 hp. at 3,400 rpm.  A new design, straight-through muffler was used.  The wheelbase was 123 inches.  A Graham Blue Streak crossed the continent in 53 hours and 30 minutes in 1932 for a new record.   Also in the same year, a Graham established a new record by climbing to the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, in 13 minutes 23 seconds!  Price of the car was $1,220.

The “Hudson Model 40”.  The Hudson Landolet Model 40 made it’s appearance in 1915, and gave the rear passengers their choice of fresh air or protective enclosure.  It was six-cylinder-engine-powered, as were the other tree models offered that year.  the engine developed 30 hp.  Hudson sales in 1915 were 12,864 cars, which was a 300 % increase in six years.

This “Auburn Cabin Speedster” was the sensation of the 1929 New York Automobile Show.  It featured a streamlined aluminum body containing two seats, and was built on a 120-inch wheelbase.   The bottom of the car was covered by a pan in the interest of streamlining, and the very low body reduced head resistance.  Airplane-type wicker seats were installed for lighness.  A Lycoming eight-cylinder, inline, water-coolod, 298.6-cubic-inch-displacement engine developed 120 hp. at 3,300 rpm.  The car weighed 3,000 pounds, and guaranteed a speed of 100 mph.  The price was $2,195.

This 1928 “Lincoln Sport Phaeton Model L.” was powered by a 284-cubic -inch-displacement, 60-degree vee, eight-cylinder, 90-hp., water-cooled engine.   Henry M. Leland, who helped found Cadillac, also founded the Lincoln company in 1917.  He sold the company to Henry Ford in 1922 and remained as general manager.  Ford enlarged the cars a bit and maintained the high standard of craftsmanship set by Leland.   The car proved extremely reliable.  This open car featured an aluminum Locke-bodied sport phaeton with a rear-passenger cowl and windshield.  Seven passengers could be accommodated.  The car weighed 4,950 pounds and could cruise at 75 mph. for hours on end.