The 1958 Sir Vival: The world's strangest car?
Walter C. Jerome of Worcester, Massachusetts was a man possesed by a mission to make the world's safest car. In the end, he failed to advance auto safety but Jerome's segmented sedan might easily qualify as the world's strangest car.
Primarily concerned with head-on collisions, Jones split his car in two, hoping the front section would absorb collisions, leaving the passenger cabin untouched. Using a heavily modified 1948 Hudson sedan as a rear section, he built a raised turret to provide the driver with maxium visbility, a goal he furthered with a 360 degree wrap-around screen that constantly rotated past built-in squeegees to wipe it clean.
Wrap-around rubber bumpers protected the Sir Vival's bodywork from errant motorists in slow speed collisions but they were just one of Jerome's innovations. The Sir Vival was years ahead with seat belts, a padded interior, and built-in roll bars.
Auto safety has two parts: passive safety concerns passenger protection once a collision occurs, and active safety, or a car's ability to avoid accidents due to handling and braking qualities. Like most Americans, Jerome focused only on passive safety, ignoring the fact that his car's awkward separation into dual modules necessitated atrocious handling.
The Sir Vival appeared on magazine covers. Jerome had fancy two-color sales brochures printed that extolled its virtues. But its fifteen minutes in the spotlight quickly elapsed and it sunk without a trace. Amazingly, the eccentric Sir Vival turned out to be a survivor after all. A little the worse for wear, it remains in the care of Bellingham Auto Sales in Bellingham, Massachusetts. See the slide show below for photos of the Sir Vival today.
For more info see the slide show and links below.
Geneva Auto Show 2010: Nightmare concepts scare onlookers
Manning up: 2011 VW New Beetle gets sex change
Comments
All I can say is...WOW! What kind of narcotic was he on to have designed such a monstrosity???? Professor Jim, you did it again! Taught me something I didn't know!
Was just up to Mass. to see 'SIR VIVAL' a few months ago. IF you would like fairly current pics of it, mail me. I think this is a great car, and want to FIND any video clips of it from anywhere... IF you know of any, PLEASE contact me. I KNOW there are some out ther. I have SEEN one of Walter driving it & pulling it into a parking space. Thanks, Bill. coellectors@verizon.net
Hi Bill,
I'm writing a book on experimental cars so would be interested in any materials on the Sir Vival. I don' have your email, though. Please write me: jim.cherry@gmail.com
thanks!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!