Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

“Gee, our old LaSalle ran great… Those were the days”
Archie and Edith Bunker on All in the Family opening theme.
This photo features a 1932 LaSalle.

Scottsdale, AZ

This afternoon, I spent some time driving around Fargo and West Fargo looking for a suitable subject for this week’s photo challenge. I saw several possibilities, but nothing that struck me enough to stop the car and take out the camera. As I headed toward the Red River Valley fairgrounds, I happened to meet a classic car headed in the opposite direction, the top open and the old gentleman inside thoroughly enjoying the late summer. With the temperature in the mid-60’s F. (around 18 deg. C.), I suspect today might be the last day this season that his classic car would be out on the highway.

At first I wasn’t paying much attention, but the sun reflected off the brass radiator frame and I saw the pattern and brand logo on the radiator. Aha, my moment of inspiration was at hand! Since retiring, I attend many car shows and I have a large collection of images taken at the different venues. I would have plenty of examples to choose from…

Since the earliest days of the automobile to about the mid-1930s, the automobile radiator was highlighted in brass or chrome and adorned with badges and designer markings. Using Lightroom’s cataloging function; I sorted through hundreds of photos that I’d taken in 2012 and 2013 at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It didn’t take me long to find several examples of beautiful grillwork on some very expensive classic cars.

Herewith I submit for your viewing pleasure, a gallery of grills, a collection of cooling systems, a horde of hood ornaments… ok, I’ll stop now, and proceed with the pictures.

John Steiner