1959 - Cumberland St. - Brigitte - Al tells me this is a 1956 Ford Fairlane. Siegmund's car. Makes sense, since this is taken

PART (1)

From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

From my recollection...the Renault was pre-Douglas. Also I am 100% certain
that the bridge accident vehicle was not the Renault but a Ford, which was
later replaced by another Ford Dad bought.

In regards to Brigitte's accident, which happened when she had her learner's
permit, I think I was about 5 years old. I know this vehicle was a Ford,
because I remember my father stuffing coffee can tin pieces into the front
of the fenders to cover rust etc while we lived on Levick St. At the
accident several pieces fell out :)

PART (2)

From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

The accident occurred on an overpass going south on Rt 1 and past Rising Sun
Avenue, at the stretch where the Roosevelt Blvd is no longer divided and all
concrete (But before you go over the Schulkyll River). (I could point out
the exit today, I'm fairly certain, as we drove by it every week for years
afterwards). After exiting at the ramp to I believe get fuel, Mom made a
left turn and was going forward, in the left lane. In front was a light
that allowed traffic to make a left and go in the northbound entrance lane
of Rt 1, or you could go straight on the road.

Best I know, Mom last saw the light "green" and so she failed to stop in
time. In the process of breaking, she rear-ended the car in front of her
which was planning to make a left and had stopped on the red. Who knows, it
may have been a quick yellow.

PART (3)

From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

Anyway, I was riding in the back seat with Oma Gretel, Mom was driving, I
believe Dad was in the front passenger seat but strangely enough I have
hardly any memory of him during this incident. Probably because he was on
the phone to the insurance company or perhaps working on the police report
and not around me. I just remember being attended to by Oma Gretel as my
parents must have been busy with other things.

When the Ford hit the car in front, and being caught off-guard as a tyke, I
launched forward (no seat belts in those days!) as I was sitting in the
middle of the backseat next to Oma (who was sitting behind Mom). Going
forward and since the Ford had a front benchseat, I hit my mouth on the top
hard part of the front seat, which caused my upper lip to split open and my
upper front teeth to immediately feel numb.

PART (4)

From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

I was terrified and burst out in crying and distress, especially scared at
the huge amount of blood from a well-split lip. Oma Gretel did her best to
quiet me down and take care of me while still in the car, while I think all
of my loud and vocal carrying on/screaming traumatized Brigitte to the point
where she could never drive again without remembering this incident (among
other things).

Anyway, no one was hurt. Once the rust and cans were collected from in
front of the car, I believe Dad drove the car to the gas station on the
immediate corner. And the other car eventually drove away too, not
seriously damaged but enough to warrant good body work.

And if I'm not mistaken, Walter would know or remember about the coffee
cans, as I thought he had some funny comments about them at the time...

PART (5) From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

At the station, I was still upset, and so finally the gas station attendant
did something I've never forgotten...amidst all my fussing he finally looked
at me and asked me if I'd like a soda. :) (He'd probably had enough of a
whining sniveling 5 year old)!

Knowing a good deal even at that tender age, I immediately nodded and then
grew strangely quiet as he slipped some change in the outside vending
machine, made my selection, popped the can open, and gave it to me.
Thereafter I purred, even though my lip still felt kinda weird. Being with
Oma and drinking pop well life was good after all, even with a swollen lip
and funny-feeling teeth.

PART (6) From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

So no, it was not the Renault. I vividly remember the Ford green/blue
interior and I believe the outside was also white and some kind of off-blue
or light greenish color.

The Renault is famous for apparently being so small that Dad could allegedly
stick his head out of the sun roof opening far enough to drive :)

How to put all of this on the site I have no idea :) ~Doug

P.S. Apparently I survived the fender-bender. Pretty sure it was a Sunoco
station, and I don't remember us keeping the car much longer after this. And
I'm 90% sure it was a Sunday afternoon!

PART (7) From: Doug - Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 5:21 PM

Additional notes: I'd estimate the speed of the car no more than 10 MPH. We also drove our car home, and I am fairly positive we went to Mannheim street first to drop off Oma.

The Renault is the the only memory I retain about your father's early cars. He took a lot of ribbing from the family about the sound of the horn (meep-meep), and I recall being a passenger in it once or twice.