anything with wheels for some reason has always has been a part of my life. From my father's passion for cars and rallying with my mother and my two brothers. To my numerous jobs and businesses that I have owned, that have involved cars, limos, motorcycles, trucks, and Thikols.
Today an article popped up about the "White brand Touring Limousine" that the Park Service hired to take guest around Yellowstone and other parks. A company is restoring them, cool!
I was fortunate enough to drive two of these (restored) in my days as a highly trained chauffeur, I was not a "limo driver".
Once while driving one of these White Touring Limousines, the grandson of the original White that formed the company walked up and started to talk to me. At first I was surprised then as I realized he obviously knew more about the vehicle than I did so we talked, and I learned. Nice person, he was totally surprised and proud to see one of his grandfathers rigs still working in downtown Denver.
Anyway, the company I worked for had 2, yes two 1936 of the White brand Touring Limousines. Both were brought up to current DOT specs for safety and performance, meaning new power plants, drive trains and brakes. They actually were a dream to drive with up to 14 people in the cabin. The fun part was that the canvas top actually rolled back and people could stand up. When they were in service with the National Parks, the guest would stand inside the Touring Limousines and hold onto a wood handrail and view the park as they were driven around at a slow speed. Each of the limos I drove had hand carved woodwork by native americans, leaded glass rear window and the original body work. The interior seating was changed to fit the needs of the guests and the roll back top was still functional and used on most of the trips I drove. They were so awesome to drive...
The company I worked for also had in their fleet a 1931 Chrysler owned by James Cagney, and 2 Rolls Royces (1950's) that were in the Queen service. They also had a Rolls Royce that Churchill and Eisenhower used to travel in between meetings. Of course then the RR was painted military green, not the white that the pictures show. It was also right hand drive, a little strange until you got used to the difference.
All of these vehicles I had the honor to drive at different times. None of them ever left me stranded, thought one time one of the 1936 White's blew an AC (pressure) hose for the rear compartment. Sounded like a tire exploding, fortunately I was stopped. Once I figured out the problem, called the mechanic, and he told me to continue on. Fortunately the guests were related to the company owners and the weather was mild. This happened in downtown Estes Park, big explosion, no damage though.
One trip they called me on was to a wedding in Ft Lupton with the bride and groom as my passengers. The company specifically wanted me because of my experience with driving in snow. Okay so I am driving a priceless 1955 Rolls Royce with 2 newlyweds inside in a blinding snowstorm, can you say pucker baby.
Anyway the drive went fine though a little slow. The newlyweds were too busy to notice any problems...
I'm rambling a bit, cause this was a unique time in my life. One time I was able to pick up my grandson at his bus stop in one of the Rolls Royce limo's, you should have seen the look on the kids faces inside the bus, still makes me laugh...
I was also able to take one of my daughters and a couple of her friends to their dinner appointment in one of the Rolls Royces. Good times, good memories and nice people to work for.
W
