– photo courtesy of theoldmotor.com
For some strange reason unbeknownst to me, this particular post from Valentine’s Day, 2015 caused quite a resurgence in views this past week. I have no idea why! However, given that little prod of the stats from the fine folks at WordPress, I thought I’d repost it today. If you haven’t seen it, I hope you enjoy it! Happy Friday!
No, please be my guest and have a longer look at the above photo. I’ll be more than happy to wait; after all, it’s Valentine’s Day, and I have a delightful little box of all-sorts sitting beside me, taunting me for my attention!
Ah, you’re back! Great! I was utterly impressed by the ingenuity of the, “Auto Wash Bowl”. And what a wash bowl it was! First appearing in St. Paul, Minnesota, the bowl soon became a hit on the Chicago car circuit.
Chicago’s answer to bathtubs for big cars arrived in the form of a large basin-shaped construction. At a reasonable price of just 25 cents, an attendant would place a cover over the car’s radiator to protect it from the car cleansing! Car owners would then drive ‘into’ the bowl, complete several circular laps while the ridged concrete of the bowl removed some of the mud and dirt from the vehicle’s undercarriage.
– photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com
Interesting the car in the above newspaper ad is referred to as, “Henry”, don’t you think? Ah, Mr. Henry Ford, methinks you’ve had more than your fair share of motorized monikers!
A resounding, “Everybody out of the pool” was heard (just kidding; but it would be rather funny, don’t you think?) For those who needed the deluxe cleaning, a quick drive out of the bowl and into a service bay was in order, where an attendant would take over to, ‘finish the job’ (I did say it was the, “Chicago Way” now, didn’t I?) *grin*
For those who wanted to jump in with both feet (and car), you, yes YOU could own your very own automatic, automobile bathing bowl:
– photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com
Ah, Saturdays at the ‘ol Auto Wash Bowl; good, clean, car fun!
How funny is this – great post!
*LOL* Thank you, Mary! It’s the “Chicago Way”! 😉 Cher xo
I remember this post, yay for paved roads!
Oh do you, John? Yay indeed! *LOL* 😉 Cher xo
Hey, so funny, Cher! Auto wash bowl… never heard of that before.
I hadn’t either, Erika! This was back in 1924 but I’m glad things have ‘improved’ in car washes since then! *LOL* Cher xo
Haha… I truly hope so… lol!!! :*
🙂 Me too!
😀 😀
What a hoot.
Isn’t that hilarious? Cher xo
Yes it is. Prototype of our modern carwash without getting splashed 🙂
Agreed!! *LOL* 😉 xo
🙂
What it looks like is a Washing machine a large version. The whole town could do their laundry in there LOL
Hehehehe that’s a brilliant idea!!!
🙂
How Fascinating – I did not know this – thanks for sharing! Happy Weekend – Enjoy 🙂
Isn’t it just? I am sure it was quite the ‘event’ to partake in at the time (1924)!! Happy Weekend to you, too; thank you! Cher xo
I bet my father remembers this! His dad had a Model T. Such a funny phot0!
Oh did he? I bet your father would remember this! It is a funny photo, isn’t it? The first time i saw it I had to look twice because I wasn’t sure I was actually seeing cars in a ‘pool’! *LOL* Cher xo
Yes, we’re from Michigan, ‘Ford’ country. I wonder if this happened there as well? 😊
I wonder as well. I know this format of car cleaning began in Minnesota, but I would not be surprised if it also had popularity in Michigan (as you said, ‘Ford’ country)!! Cher xo
How funny it was! So it was originally from St. Paul? 🙂 I live now in its neighbouring city, Minneapolis 🙂
Yes, that’s right, Indah! Oh do you? How cool!! Cher xo
Wonderful idea and record of it.
Isn’t it something, Hilary? Cher xo