By Brad Pace

From the Ford Model T to Tesla, automobiles have played a prominent role in the American experience. Car ownership made mobility and the suburbs possible—but also led to pollution and urban sprawl. Interstate highways cut through neighborhoods, making travel easier for some, but creating social isolation for those bypassed.

Kansas City was an early center for automobile manufacturing

Auto production in Kansas City began in the early years of the 20 th century, with around 20 different companies manufacturing the latest motor cars. The industry was a new technology with many companies being formed, but only a few surviving.

One such auto maker was the Stafford Motor Car Company, located at 22nd and Campbell streets, north of what is now Truman Medical Center. The Stafford was an expensive and prestigious car, costing several times as much as the popular Ford Model T.

*Harry Truman in his 1911 Stafford, with passengers Bess Wallace, Mary Jane Truman and Nellie Noland*

The future President Harry Truman bought a used Stafford in 1914. It transformed his life. He drove it over the rough roads from his Grandview farm to Independence to court his sweetheart, Bess Wallace.

In his 1992 book “Truman”, a biography of the 33rd president, David McCullough describes that, “Rolling through the shaded streets of Independence on a spring Sunday, wearing a sporty new cap, a fresh white shirt and proper Sunday necktie, the top down on the car, its brass all polished, he would never be taken for a hayseed ... Not since his first pair of eyeglasses had anything so changed his life…”

By 1915 Stafford production had ended.

In 1912 Henry Ford came to town to stay. His assembly plant at 1025 Winchester Ave., was the very first one outside Detroit. It turned out Fords until 1956 when production was transitioned about 10 miles outside Kansas City to the new plant at 8121 US 69-HWY, Claycomo, Missouri. The 1912 building remains standing and is still in commercial use.

General Motors began manufacturing cars in 1929 at what is now 6817 Stadium Drive in Kansas City’s Leeds District. On December 16, 1936, workers at GM’s Fisher Body plant in Leeds initiated a labor strike. With no car bodies being produced at the Fisher plant, the nearby Leeds District Chevrolet factory shut down as well, and its workers joined the strike. Like other GM workers then striking in Atlanta, the Kansas City strikers adopted the newly developed “sit-down” strategy. As the name implies, sit-down strikers occupy the jobsite to prevent the use of replacement workers.

*Strikers occupy an assembly plant during the historic 1936-37 GM strike*

The approximately 2,400 Kansas City strikers prepared for the long haul by creating their own informal police force, singing pro-labor music, and even holding their own church services. They rejected their Christmas bonuses demanding that GM permanently recognize the United Auto Workers Union (UAW). On December 23, 1936, the strikers abandoned their sit-down approach due to the inability to bring in food. They moved their protests outside and continued the strike.

Labor-management tensions escalated dramatically on December 28, when workers at the Fisher Body plant in Cleveland, Ohio joined the strike, followed two days later by two more Fisher Body plants in Flint, Michigan. At this point a total of 140,000 GM workers were either striking or out of work due to production stoppages. Violence ensued in Flint when the strikers were confronted by the National Guard.

Finally, on February 17, 1937, two months after the Kansas City workers went on strike, GM agreed to recognize the UAW. The Kansas City workers would see their wage rates rise from 45 to 75 cents an hour.

*Workers in 1955 at the General Motors Corp. automobile assembly plant.*

Flush with its victory over GM, the UAW staged a strike in April of 1937 at the Kansas City Ford plant, the first ever sit-down strike at a Ford facility. Ford and Chrysler would both recognize the UAW in 1941.

The 1936-37 GM sit-down strike altered labor relations in 20th century America, and helped tens of thousands of workers reach middle class wages and benefits.

GM closed its Leeds facility in 1988. The old plant survives today and is used as a warehouse.

Another relic of Kansas City’s motoring past can be found at Gillham Road and McGee Trafficway, just south of downtown. The impressive brick building at this location was constructed in 1918 by Robert Greenlease, the first Cadillac dealer west of the Mississippi. Although it long ago ceased to be a car dealership, Cadillac emblems can still be seen carved in terra-cotta on the upper exterior walls. The structure has been converted into luxury living space and is now known as the Greenlease Cadillac Condominiums.

Automotive History on Display

Jackson County’s automotive heritage was celebrated Sunday, June 12, at the Jackson County Historical Society (JCHS) “Timeline of Transportation, Vintage Car and Bike Show” in Independence.

A wide variety of cars and styles were displayed, each reflecting the tastes and conditions of its age. A car from the 1950s might feature tailfins, rocket-tip tail lights, or ribbons of expensive chrome. The swagger of those styling cues is evidence of optimism and confidence, while the boxy, downsized cars of the late 1970s betray the economic malaise of that era.

*An SUV for the flapper age, the 1929 Ford Model A Station Wagon*

The notion for a car show was initially suggested by JCHS President-elect Stephanie Rohr. Christian Shuster, JCHS Director of Development and Community Engagement, then planned and developed the concept. He selected the courthouse square location for this first ever JCHS-sponsored car show. “I hope this will be the start of a new tradition,” said Shuster.

Each car has its own story

Several of the oldest cars shown were Ford products, namely Model Ts and Model As. One unusual example present was a rare 1929 Ford Model A Station Wagon brought by Tom MacSweeney. The body for the driver and passenger compartment was constructed of high-quality maple and birch wood from Henry Ford’s forests at Iron Mountain, Michigan. The price for a new ‘29 Ford Wagon was $695, which was more expensive than a standard Model A. Originally the “wagon” concept was the brainchild of Edsel Ford, who commissioned the very first factory-built Ford station wagon to carry guests and luggage on his estates in Michigan and Maine.

*JCHS Board member Steve Hartwich with his 1965 Buick Wildcat*

The decade of the car crazy 1960s was well represented at the show, including a 1965 Wildcat from General Motors’ Buick division, brought by JCHS Board member Steve Hartwich. The car is largely original, with only about 75,000 miles on the odometer. The big Wildcat was Buick’s sport model, with a 401 cubic inch V-8. Hartwich bought the car about 22 years ago from a farmer in Nebraska who had kept it in a shed for 15 years, rarely driving it. “He greeted me like an old friend, and even had the original sales contract,” Steve explained. Steve’s interest in 1965 Buicks started when he was young. His parents had a ‘65 Buick LeSabre. It was the first car he ever drove. Steve says his Wildcat brings back memories for people who will comment about a relative or friend who had one.

Another 1960s GM product on display was a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L79 Stingray, owned by Todd Lucas of Independence. Lucas explained that the car has never been crashed, and is all original except for new paint. Out on the road the Stingray gets a lot of admiring waves and thumbs up. Some people will rev their engine and want to race, but Todd says the car is too old for that. “It’s a grandpa,” he said.

*Todd Lucas with his iconic 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L79 Stingray*

Ralph Curzon added a dash of elegance to the courthouse square when he arrived in his 1977 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II. Curzon was born and raised in the United Kingdom, but now resides in Independence to be near his grandchildren. To the uneducated his car looks yellow, but Ralph says it is actually a factory color called champagne. He explained that the car was sold new to an individual in Kansas who apparently kept it until he passed away. Ralph bought it from a bank which was settling the man’s estate. It has a 412 cubic inch V-8 and gets between 10 and 15 miles per gallon.

*1977 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II, in champagne yellow*

Ralph doesn’t worry about finding someone in Kansas City to service his vintage Rolls, since he has worked on Rolls Royce cars for about 45 years. He explained in his proper English accent that he first began working for Rolls Royce in London in 1965. He later serviced Rolls Royce cars in Canada, before eventually finding work with a private collector in St. Louis. Ralph’s son Simon also brought a Rolls to the show. Simon is the owner of Zenith Motor Company LLC in Independence, which specializes in the restoration and service of Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars.

Motorcycles on display too

*1916 Indian, with period correct all-white tires*

Motorcycle connoisseur Jerry Havenhill of Independence brought to the show his 1947 Harley- Davidson “Knucklehead,” and an extremely rare 1916 Indian. He said the 100-year-old Indian motorcycle will do 60 miles per hour, but stopping it is a challenge. It lacks turn signals, and has gas lantern style lights which must be lit with a stick match. Both his Indian and Harley-Davidson feature manual gear shift levers similar to those found in cars, not built into the handlebar like modern designs. Riding these old motorcycles requires a great deal of skill. Although 84 years young, Jerry says he still rides them both. After 70 years of riding, he has never been hurt in an accident. “I drive for everyone else,” he said.

City of Independence firefighting history

One of the more unique vehicles on display was a 1960 Seagrave firetruck presented by the Independence 76 Fire Company, a non-profit historical society dedicated to preserving the history of firefighting in Independence. The organization’s president, Rick Webb, a retired city of Independence firefighter, said the Seagrave was in service until 1995. The 76ers group was formed when it was learned that the retired Seagrave was to be sold for scrap. After so many years of duty it was worn out and obsolete. The Independence 76 Fire Company founders convinced the city that the old truck should be saved and used for public relations purposes.

Displayed at the show next to the Seagrave was the group’s other operating firetruck, a 1928 American La France. Webb explained that in 1928 a bond issue was passed in Independence which allowed for the purchase of two new American La France firetrucks (including the one on display), plus a Buick Roadster to serve as the Fire Chief’s car. The same bond issue also paid for remodeling of the old fire station #2 at 1215 W. Elm St, which was originally constructed in 1908 for horse-drawn fire wagons. The building today serves as home for the Pace Bicycle Haven. The words “Fire Station 1928” are still clearly visible on the front façade. Lastly, the bond offering provided for the construction of a new two-story brick station at 223 N Main St., which is today used as the National Parks Service Visitor Center for the Truman home.

*Members of the Independence 76 Fire Company, beside their 1928 American La France*

The two La France firetrucks were the first motorized water pumpers in the city’s fleet. They enabled firefighters to control their water pressure.

After 25 years of service to the people of Independence, both of the American La France trucks were sold at auction in 1953. Then in 1993, by a stroke of incredible good luck, a former Independence firefighter discovered one of them in sitting derelict in a barn in Alvin, Texas. The serial number was used to confirm its provenance.

After securing a no-interest loan from the City of Independence, the 76ers purchased the La France for $7,500. The group then spent the next 20 years restoring it, mostly with volunteer labor. A steady stream of onlookers at the Timeline of Transportation Car Show admired its wooden spoke wheels, polished wood steering wheel, and heavy gold leaf pinstriping.

The two firetrucks restored by the Independence 76 Fire Company have given rides to over 25,000 children, and participated in 35 to 40 funerals for retired firefighters. The group hopes to eventually create a firefighting museum and education center.

The Future

*Phillip Watkin’s Tesla Model 3 with aftermarket Caribbean Shimmer wrap*

The future of transportation was foretold at the show by a Tesla Model 3 electric car entered by Phillip Watkins. Most everything about his Tesla is new and different, including the buying experience. Philip explained that the local Tesla “service center” has cars available to test drive, but you can’t buy one there. Instead of negotiating with a fast-talking salesman, Phillip purchased his Model 3 through the Tesla online store. The company then delivered it right to his front door. Phillip drives the car daily and plugs it in at home every night to recharge. It can get around 300 miles on a full charge, depending on driving habits.

The powerplant for an electric car is not called an “engine”, but rather is termed a “motor”. In fact, Phillip’s Model 3 has two motors, with one in front and one in back. Each is about the size of a watermelon. The front and back arrangement provides for all wheel drive. Early electric cars had a reputation for lacking power, but Phillip’s can travel 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 4.5 seconds, leaving most sports cars in the rear-view mirror. The car’s performance can be manipulated by software changes downloaded from his phone.

If all this isn’t enough, Phillip’s Tesla has full self-driving technology, including the ability to make lane changes. “I just need to stay alert and keep my hands on the wheel,” he explained. Philip ordered his Tesla in black, but then had it “wrapped” in a color called Caribbean Shimmer. “It gets a lot of looks,” he said.

The automobile business is undergoing dramatic change. Whether the future sales leader will be gasoline-powered or electric, one thing is for certain. People will still be collecting old cars that reveal much about their time and place.

Auto History Celebrated in “Timeline of Transportation” Car Show