Pictured is John Olan Cunningham's Willys "Jeepster" convertible. The car was a very familiar sight as was Larry Johnson's "Official Bearcat" Ford Model A.
It was usually seen as in the upper photo, full of kids having a great time. The building in the background was "Little Joe's" Drive In in Tupelo in 1955.
Identity of the girls is up to you. I remember faces but not names very well.
The original Jeepster was produced from 1948 through 1950, although some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year. It was powered by the 62 horsepower "Go Devil" engine, a 134 cu in (2.2 L) straight-4. A 3-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive was used.
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Photos courtesy of John Olan. By the way, where is your license plate, John?
Okay' here goes-- front seat by John is Marian Grissom Baxter-- then I see Gail Coggins Dillard-- back seat is Virginia Bruce Enis Thomas-- and I don't know the young lady by Larry-- is this any help?
ReplyDeleteJohn Melvin
I remember this car well. Melvin I agree on the ID. I also don't know who is sitting by Larry.
ReplyDeleteHerb
I should think the absence of a license plate was intentional to protect the innocent! Ya think? hehehehehe (that's a laugh is case you didn't know)
ReplyDeleteThat is my cousin, Margaret Ann Surratt Mau. She always visited us in the summer , all the way from Kenosha, Wi.
ReplyDeleteVirginia Bruce
Wallis Nelson:
ReplyDeleteWasn't Little Joe's Drive Inn the place where you and your buds perpetrated the "bloody arm hanging out of the trunk lid" trick? (Ketchup for blood)
Virginia Bruce
ReplyDeleteI do remember Margaret Ann -- man its been a lotsa years, where did all the "time" go-------
Melvin
Late obit: Dean Rutherford almost made age 70 but I remember him much more when he was in his early teens being manager of all the high school sports teams, playing on the teams in his age group, and generally being an all around good guy, good student and participant in all First Baptist Church activities. He usually played shortstop in baseball and was the tiny backup quarterback on the undefeated 1956 football team. He was especially good at running Coach Jobe's QB option play, being quick but not a real speedster like his older brother. Dean was one of the smartest of the kids from Baldwyn. He received a full scholarship to Mississippi State back when there weren't many scholarships and he graduated from there in 1961. At MSU he perfected the ability to coast all semester, cram the night before exam and still pull off an A or B. Anybody who has tried that can tell you how difficult it is. I also remember that Dean had a real sense of style and fashion and, when funds permitted, loved dressing up and looking good. He spent almost all his life in Baldwyn. When I saw him briefly at the Okelala Festival only a couple of weeks before his death, he was with grandkids and was obviously enjoying their company. Rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteJC
Good photos, do you have a photo of Billy Frost's 1956 Chevy convertible?
ReplyDeleteBeck
I doubt if you know me. Rebecca (Schaeffer) Collins. I was born in Verona and lived in Saltillo. I worked at some drive-ins in Tupelo as a teenager and knew lots of folks from Baldwyn, dated some (no names). Married as soon as graduated from MSCW and have lived in Thornton, CO for most of my life. Still like to recall the old days!
ReplyDeleteBeck
Becky, What year did you graduate from the "W". My wife, Barbara, graduated in '64 and her maiden name was Gebhard.
ReplyDeletePhil C