While 250,000 miles on a car is not really that uncommon today it is still a pretty major accomplishment when it comes to longevity. That’s 10 trips around the world and chances are, the 250,000 miles have come about because the car is reliable and not a pain in the ass that needs to get fixed every five minutes. Now think about driving a 1914 model year car 250,000 miles about 80 years ago. Seriously. That’s what this short clip is about and while it is a total propaganda piece for Chevrolet, we still think it is cool.
Hiram Donor is the guy spotlighted here. A Pennsylvania carpenter, he bought his 1914 Chevrolet Series H Royal Mail roadster new. He then proceeded to drive it daily for more than 20 years, racking up a quarter of a million miles in the process. We guarantee that the early years of his ownership included a LOT of dir road driving in PA because we’re about a half a century before the interstate system, not to mention the fact that he was a carpenter so he was likely hauling tools and stuff.
Being a roadster, the car had no side windows and no real heat or anything of that nature so it must have been a real treat to drive this thing in the winter. The cost of ownership will really crack you up because it is so nominal it is hilarious. He had it painted for like $40.00 and the claim was that less than $25.00 was spent on maintenance in the time he owned it.
This is a very neat video from a very different era in the American automobile age.
There was a big push in 1936 for General Motors to strengthen its market image/reputation.
They traveled the United States highlighting the fact that the vehicles contained parts made from raw materials in all 48 States.
The rural purchasers\’ concerns were that they were getting vehicles that weren\’t a strong as the models sold in city areas ( fender metal gauge thickness,etc.).
This video seems to highlight the fact that Chevrolet,the Everyman\’s brand of General Motors, has an established history of building durable safe and long lasting vehicles.
https://gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/Featured_Innovations/1936_Parade_of_Progress.html