Transformed from a 1947 Chrysler New Yorkers Saratoga, the Zippo Car was commissioned by Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell as a way to expand Zippo’s brand presence across the country. Following Blaisdell’s personal love for “productmobiles,” the Zippo Car boasted two massive flip-top lighters on the roof, putting its namesake on wheels.
In the two years following the car’s creation, the Zippo Car made stops in all 48 continental states. Salesman borrowed the car to travel to different territories to show off the Zippo brand. According to Blaisdell’s grandson, current owner and chairman of the board George Duke, the large lighters on the vehicle’s roof posed some problems on the road.
When Duke started working for the company in 1977, some of the salespeople from the Zippo Car era were still around. “I remember those guys telling me what involved planning it took to use that original car,” Duke told the News.
Salespeople had to plan their route to avoid low overpasses, often going far out of their way to avoid possible blunders.
“Back in those days, they didn’t have those certain requirements bridges have today,” Duke recounted hearing stories about the car. “You could literally make a wrong choice and if you went under a bridge, you’d tear the tops of the lighters off.”
In the early 1950s, the car was brought to a Pittsburgh-area Ford dealer to be renovated, but a high cost estimate left the vehicle in limbo. Eventually, interest in the car dwindled and it was forgotten for nearly forty years.
In the 1990s, Zippo was on a success streak. “We were becoming a well-known product around the world,” Duke said. In order to emphasize the history of the product, Duke sought to bring back the Zippo Car.
After a search for the original car proved unsuccessful, Zippo bought another 1947 Saratoga, and had it customized by Joe Griffin of Custom Upholstery in Memphis, Tenn.
With no original plans from the Zippo Car around, Griffin’s job was unique. Based on archive photos of the car, Griffin had to replicate the car down to the word Zippo painted in 24-karat gold on the side.
By 1998, Griffin had completed the job and Zippo was produced with the new Zippo Car.
“It is truly a work of art,” Duke said of the customization. “Even down to where you see Zippo on the side of the lighters on the side of the car – exactly like they were on the original.”
“Everything is as authentic as it could be,” Duke said, even hinting that the car might be “a better Zippo-mobile” than the original.
Today, the Zippo Car is transported by trailer to events, to prevent putting stress on the antique car’s body. The car was also joined in 2011 by a Zippo Jeep customized by West Coast Customs, designed to showcase the brand’s move into outdoor goods.
“When you look at the Jeep today,” Duke said, “It’s more of the modern version. Younger people can identify with it. It’s much more agile than a 1947 Saratoga.”
**Courtesy of Daily News Autos
No comments:
Post a Comment