Curtiss-Wright company car

[ro]

We are still doing research and hoping to find some documentation for the car. But, I am confident now in its originality. The weather was good today so I pulled it out of the barn and de-greased the engine and rinsed the car. I took some time to look it over good and there are no signs anywhere that it's been repainted. There's paint wear on the door by the windows where someone's arm rested over the years, and many places where chips and wear confirm a single coat.

I've also discovered that the reflective surface of the logo, behind the paint, appears to be nickel plating. It's metallic and polishes to a mirror finish.

Thanks again for the nice welcome to the forum.

[Tacoma Bob]

I would venture a guess that it was done in Silver Leaf.

[ro]

I figured that, as well at first. But it's very hard and durable. It was also covered with rust when I got the car. That made me think it has some kind of metallic plating. But I certainly don't know for sure.

[Phil Brown]

I see ya got Starski and Hutch on the case

[ro]

This mystery requires the big guns. :-)

[Bob Bidonde]

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Besides aircraft engines and planes, Curtiss Wright made camping trailers. Does your Model "A" have evidence of a trailer tow hook?
Here are photos re Curtiss Wright, their logo and cars in front of one of their facilities. Maybe you Model "A" is in this picture?

[1928Mik]

Good one, Phil Brown!

[Patrick L.]

Glenn Curtiss was a man of many interests and many firsts.

After his retirement he kept after his hobbies, one was camping. In 1921 [if memory serves] he he started building/selling ' bungalows ' / campers.

Many of his products/accomplishments are at the Curtiss museum.

[ro]

Hey Bob. There's no sign of a hitch. The car came from Denver and had been stored since the 60's. We suspect it was used at the Curtiss Wright Flying Service in Denver, but are still researching. We may have a connection to a family member of the potential owner/driver who is going through old photographs. I'm hopeful that we will confirm more soon. Thanks for your reply.

[Tacoma Bob]

Originally Posted by ro

hey bob. There's no sign of a hitch. The car came from denver and had been stored since the 60's. We suspect it was used at the curtiss wright flying service in denver, but are still researching. We may have a connection to a family member of the potential owner/driver who is going through old photographs. I'm hopeful that we will confirm more soon. Thanks for your reply.

[ro]

I believe I may have discovered the nature of the reflective surface under the door paint that is revealed in the shape of "curtiss-wright." I have found the material to be malleable and highly reflective when smoothed. It appears to be tinning over the sheet metal door. This would have been something that could have been done easily at the factory since it's likely the tinning process was used prior to the lead wiping of joints, etc. prior to primer/paint. And there is a layer of the red primer over the tin, just as it is on the rest of the car. I have plenty of research still ahead but I thought this was an interesting finding.