37 - Rickenbacker Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 3/22/2015
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:



Rickenbacker Motor Company Detroit Michigan1921-1927

Edward Rickenbacker, a widely acclaimed American hero, used his fame and knowledge of racing cars to create an innovative Detroit vehicle. Fortunately for him, he got a job with the Frayer-Miller Automobile Company there he began to show his remarkable abilities. Rickenbacher’s boss, Lee Frayer, raced cars in the Vanderbilt Cup Race one of the most prestigious auto races in the United States at that time. Even though he was only 16, Rickenbacher accompanied Frayer to the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup as a mechanic. Rickenbacher set a national speed record of 134 miles per hour at Daytona, Florida and then drove one of Freyer’s cars in the 1911 Indianapolis 500. In 1912, began racing cars for famed auto designer, Fred Duesenberg. He quickly became recognized as one of the most accomplished race car drivers in the nation.

Rickenbacher approached British authorities and volunteered to organize a team of auto racers who would fly planes for what later became the Royal Air Force. The British government rejected his offer, perhaps assuming that he was acting as a German agent. Eddie Rickenbacher returned to the States but, as soon as this country entered World War I, he enlisted for service. He was assigned to serve as chauffer driving Hudsons for General Pershing but his interest in flying persisted. By the end of World War I, Eddie Rickenbacker was acclaimed as an ace and credited with shooting down a record 26 Luftwaffe craft.

Returning from the war, Rickenbacker retired from auto racing, but maintained a strong interest in the vehicle industry. In 1919, he decided the nation needed a new car with three distinguishing features: high horsepower, a low center of gravity to increase passengers comfort and four wheel brakes for safety. Two years of getting financial backing three prototype models were assembled in Detroit that year and shipped to New York for the January, 1922 Auto Show.

The original Rickenbackers did not have four wheel brakes since his collaborators assumed that customers were not ready for that development. Eddie Rickenbacker eventually convinced his collaborators that the public would buy cars with four wheel breaks and, starting in 1924, his cars were equipped with them. Eventually, all wheel brakes were adopted by every producer but strong criticisms of this innovation may have slowed Rickenbacker sales in the mid-1920s.

For 1924 Rickenbacker introduced a Vertical 8 Super fine model with an L-hear 268 cubic inch engine. An attractive new “boat-tail” model with a variety of new safety features was introduced for 1926 with the substantial price tag of $5,000. This car could approach 100 miles per hour and, unlike other sports cars of its era, could seat four. However, it was not a financial success and, perhaps, fewer than 20 of these “boat-tail” Rickenbackers emerged from the Cabot Avenue factory.

New models were introduced for 1927, but financial problems troubled the company, problems that were not solved with the introduction of the new models. Production ended in 1927 with a total production of 34,500 Rickenbackers.

Eddie Rickenbacker purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway shortly after he left the auto firm in 1927 He eventually paid his share of the auto firm’s debts. By the early 1930s, Rickenbacker became president of Eastern Air Lines and by late 1934 that firm’s financial success was assured. Rickenbacker died at age 83 in 1973.

Photo and info:
http://www.detroit1701.org

To enter Belle Isle State Park you will need either a Michigan State Park Passport or a day pass. Residents are $11.00 per year, non residence is $31.00 per year and the daily pass is $9.00 per day.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has given the Belle Isle Cachers exclusive permission to place all geocaches on Belle Isle State Park. Please be respectful to the park, its management and all other visitors during your time here.

This park is very busy year round, please use extreme stealth at all times as every area is being used by others. Rock hides give great views around the island, we have marked the cache location to help with your finds so please replace just as you found them.

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