It’s a 1973-75-ish Plymouth Fury sedan that someone chopped the roof off of. Identifying details are obsured by the paint so I can’t be more definite. I will say that I hope it didn’t drive much faster or farther than a Beer-Bike parade because the roof was part of the body structure. Real convertibles have the frame reinforced. This poor chop job probably had approximately the body rigidity of spaghetti. They could probably open the doors but I wouldn’t bet on closing them again.
Yep, I’m pretty sure that’s Mary — who now, of course, works for Rice in Admissions, I believe, coordinating campus tours and the like. I wonder whether she knows the photo is here. 🙂
That looks like it could still be driven.
When did they change the rules to make the parade safe road hazards like this?
Bertha the Baker Beer Bike Beetle, the latest in the series of parade entries, meets the current standards – stops and steers.
Bertha doesn’t “go” – the engine, and just about everything else that added mass not part of the shell, or involved with stopping and steering has been removed, including all of the front brake parts, and the pedal cluster.
Braking is done with the parking brake handle.
Isn’t that a Plymouth Fury?
You made me laugh. Thanks!
I have no idea what it is.
It’s a 1973-75-ish Plymouth Fury sedan that someone chopped the roof off of. Identifying details are obsured by the paint so I can’t be more definite. I will say that I hope it didn’t drive much faster or farther than a Beer-Bike parade because the roof was part of the body structure. Real convertibles have the frame reinforced. This poor chop job probably had approximately the body rigidity of spaghetti. They could probably open the doors but I wouldn’t bet on closing them again.
Besides, I am confused. I thought hell hath no Fury. Those girls don’t look all that scorned, however.
I wonder why there is a basket of something (groceries?) behind it in the archway?
Shockingly, it appears to be a pile of those red plastic beer cups.
It’s full of water balloons.
Isn’t the second person from the left Mary Lowery? I am pretty sure that this was prep for Beer Bike 1986 or 1987.
Yep, I’m pretty sure that’s Mary — who now, of course, works for Rice in Admissions, I believe, coordinating campus tours and the like. I wonder whether she knows the photo is here. 🙂
That looks like it could still be driven.
When did they change the rules to make the parade safe road hazards like this?
Bertha the Baker Beer Bike Beetle, the latest in the series of parade entries, meets the current standards – stops and steers.
Bertha doesn’t “go” – the engine, and just about everything else that added mass not part of the shell, or involved with stopping and steering has been removed, including all of the front brake parts, and the pedal cluster.
Braking is done with the parking brake handle.