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Auto Joker
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 1:00 pm
by ThreePedalTapDancer
I’ve seen these devices over the years that were sold as a “gag” at gas stations in the 1920s. Amazing any even survived. They worked as described-
“ These are a gadget attached to the spark plugs on a car. When someone steps on the starter a small dynamite cap explodes, which sets fire to a quantity of powder. This burns in a constricted place and gives a high whistling noise like a fire in the gas line. Great quantities of smoke pour out, the victim decides the car is going to blow up and makes his preparation to leave just as the final explosion lets go.”
I’ll file this next to the electric coil hooked to the door handle prank.
Re: Auto Joker
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 1:01 pm
by ThreePedalTapDancer
ThreePedalTapDancer wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 1:00 pm
I’ve seen these devices over the years that were sold as a “gag” at gas stations in the 1920s through 50s in one form or another. Amazing any even survived. They worked as described-
“ These are a gadget attached to the spark plugs on a car. When someone steps on the starter a small dynamite cap explodes, which sets fire to a quantity of powder. This burns in a constricted place and gives a high whistling noise like a fire in the gas line. Great quantities of smoke pour out, the victim decides the car is going to blow up and makes his preparation to leave just as the final explosion lets go.”
I’ll file this next to the electric coil hooked to the door handle prank.
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Re: Auto Joker
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 1:54 pm
by modeltspaz
I have a couple of those myself. They are definitely for "Display Only" and I keep them in a showcase in my garage behind glass.
Re: Auto Joker
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 3:18 pm
by Scott_Conger
Ed, I'd think that those were marketed by Fruit-of-the-Loom!
Many years ago, a friend had an old huckster rigged up with a remote controlled starter switch and a push button for a little water pump...being a 'barn find" in the middle of a bunch of show cars, it always drew attention as being different...when an old duffer would mimic cranking the car for a lady-friend, my friend would start the car and squirt some water at the "cranker" from the vicinity of the radiator neck...there was immediate sprinting for cover, followed by uproarious laughter from the peanut gallery. It is surprising how fast an octogenarian can be persuaded to move! The victim usually, but not always found the stunt to be amusing, but to us it was always a 100% success!
Re: Auto Joker
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 5:39 pm
by A Whiteman
Believe it or not, these were actually sold as an anti-theft device!
See Jay Buscio's 'Accessory of the Day" post and Gallery entry:
https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/app.php/gallery/image/2518
Re: Auto Joker
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 2:29 am
by Dallas Landers
Scott, thats funny, my uncle bill had one rigged with a pump to squirt water from the radiator. Like you said, most laughed but some stormed off. No humor I guess.
Re: Auto Joker
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 9:03 am
by Professor Fate
Try this out.... you'll get something like.....
"Wow, STP made spin on filters for Ford 100 yrs ago?"