Need A New Old Car?
There are very few cars I haven’t heard about - but here’s one!
This is the McQuay Norris Streamliner and I read about it for the first time at the Auto Time Machine
it was called the Teardrop test car and the reason is quite apparent from its shape.
I can’t even begin to think what was going through the minds of the designers.
The six McQuay-Norris Streamliners was produced in 1934 and was built to be driven by McQuay-Norris engine component sales representatives. McQuay-Norris used the Streamliners as test-beds for new engine parts as well as advertising the company, and for this function the interior was fixed with many dials and instruments to observe performance and engine condition. The McQuay-Norris Streamliner’s chassis and running gear were based on a Ford V8, and the aerodynamic bodywork was made from steel and aluminium attached to a wooden frame. The curved windows were made from Plexiglas.
My father, Robert G. McCullough, was one of the engineers driving the Teardrop and considered the experience one of his most career rewarding times. He died in 1996 and left some personal pictures and a recording of his time with the Teardrop.
Hi John, thanks for commenting. I sure that would be a very rewarding experience. If you wanted to you could post some of the images on our site, along with the story. I love this car.