MTFCA Forum

Oops!

That can happen! The rear axle drops so the car slows quickly, but the wheel keeps on going!
Norm

When my dad was a little guy, he his father were out for a drive in their 1919 Model T. Suddenly, a wheel rolled past them and my grandfather said, "Ha! Some poor fool lost a wheel!" Immediately after that, the rear end on grandpa's T sunk to the ground.

" Ye picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJIn6gMlo6A

tdump wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:32 pm

" Ye picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJIn6gMlo6A

Ya picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel,
With four turning bearings and no grease in the rear........

A good reminder for everyone to check the tightness of their rear wheel nuts before touring season gets going. Loose nuts are the number one cause of axle damage.

I love that photo! A one in a million shot with the wheel in the air that high and the dust flying! The look on the driver's face is PRICELESS!
By the way, the driver is Raymond Mays, a wealthy Englishman and playboy driving his Bugatti. He was a respected and accomplished racing driver.

Don't forget about the photographer, who was at the right place at the right time with a hand holding the squeeze-bulb. How fortuitous for him or her.

Wayne Sheldon wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:07 am

I love that photo! A one in a million shot with the wheel in the air that high and the dust flying! The look on the driver's face is PRICELESS!
By the way, the driver is Raymond Mays, a wealthy Englishman and playboy driving his Bugatti. He was a respected and accomplished racing driver.

I agree that is 1 photo that was a case of all the stars lining up.

tdump wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:32 am

Wayne Sheldon wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:07 am

I love that photo! A one in a million shot with the wheel in the air that high and the dust flying! The look on the driver's face is PRICELESS!
By the way, the driver is Raymond Mays, a wealthy Englishman and playboy driving his Bugatti. He was a respected and accomplished racing driver.

I agree that is 1 photo that was a case of all the stars lining up.

I'd be willing to bet that the photographer wasn't even trying to take the photo of the car with the wheel in mid-air. Probably just photographing the car rounding the corner and "wheel thing" happened just about the same instant he clicked the shutter. As mentioned above, "...all the stars lining up."

I can (often have) imagine the photographer, standing there, waiting for cars to round the corner, hoping to get a good shot of them. Raymond Mays comes into view, and the photographer readies himself, and squeezes the bulb! Then things get crazy for a few seconds. The car skids to a stop just feet away from the photographer, people running over to the car! Others running after the wheel! Is Raymond okay? Is anybody else coming around the corner and will they be able to see things in time to stop?
In the midst of all that, the photographer must have wondered what he actually caught on film. That would have to wait until he got back to the studio to develop all his pictures. Only then did he know how well the stars lined up and the incredible shot he got!

A point of era context about the camera and photographer. He most likely used a bulb and not a direct shutter as the high speed film of the era needed for such action shots was still slow enough that pressing a shutter could shake the camera enough to ruin the picture. The camera was most likely on the tripod set up and waiting for cars to come into view.

What is the possibility it is a film frame?
Bryant

Bryant, that’s an interesting question. It sure would account for the incredible timing.

As I understand it, the funny, choppy, hurried action of early movies was owing to the limited “speed” of the movie films of the time. 30 frames per second results in “normal” motion, but older films required longer than 1/30 second to be exposed adequately. Given that, I think this image is sharper than what may have resulted from a movie frame ?

Perhaps our resident photo expert can help us.

Might be able to test the theory if we knew the technology available at the time. Does anyone know what year this is from exactly?
Bryant

Wayne Sheldon may know, he identified the driver.
Wayne ? Help ?

I knew it was in the 1920s, and an earlier Bugatti than we usually see around, but had to google it for the exact year and details.
This occurred at the Caerphilly Mountain Hill Climb in Cardiff Wales in 1924.The car was Raymond Mays' second Bugatti type 13 Brescia. According to reports, the car stopped just short going over an precipice after losing the wheel.

The same information with a bit more detail: It is such an interesting photo. His first glance before reality has set in or need for action. His off the street attire, no goggles, helmet or heavy jacket as many others wore racing seems nonchalant.
I have lost a few rear wire wheels in my time. The thud at the rear is the first indication, Then the "Is that one of mine?" Followed by a need to steer it to safety somehow. And the escaped wheel and tire do travel a surprising distance away.
I'm not sure how anyone could capture that moment any better.
Thanks for bring it to the Fourm.
Rich

Here he is in a Bugatti Brescia 1496 cc at the Porthcawl Speed Trials, June 29, 1922. Perhaps a more realistic view of him.

Does anyone have a high quality image of that they can send me? I'd like to print and hang up in my shop.

These folks offer different sizes of it. Check it out.
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/det ... EZ-1193954

Drivers prayer during the race - “Dear Lord, take the wheel!” He should have been more specific…