Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS: Big Al – The Comic Book Clue
In the film, there is a reference to “Big Al” – the last townie strong enough and capable enough to pull Bessie but other than that, we had no clue as to what he looked like …
But now the latest issue of the CARS Comic Book (CARS: Radiator Springs #1) has provided a clue …
(and yes, back then you could get TakeFiveADay but it only came once a quarter as a mimeographed handwritten newsletter).
Big Al looked like one of those early 1950’s moving-delivery vans?
Something like one of these trucks?
Like the second from the left?
Or this interesting Lou McMurray metal sculpture.
FOUND:
The Allied Van Lines unit is an 800 Series Model 805 (1936 to 1940).
Copied in part:
When White chassis were used by body builders to build trucks where the entire body including the driving compartment was provided by the body builder (such as moving vans of this type) the only external means of identification of the chassis builder was usually the radiator grille and possibly some trim pieces. Gerstenslager followed this procedure when they built the “MIGHTY JOE YOUNG” moving van. The White 800 Series/Gerstenslager moving vans were built from 1936 to 1940 using the COE radiator grille and accompanying trim. In 1941 the 800 Series imodel dentification was changed to the WA Series. Most of the changes were to the power train and chassis but the radiator grille and accompanying trim was changed to distinguish the new WA’s from the 800″s. The new grille and trim included a wider center strip, two circular ID badges and a pair of wings sprouting from the center strip.
I have attached two photographs of White/Gerstenslager Moving Vans. The Allied Van Lines unit
Mets photo is idenetical to his photo:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h2HFSk-YN8U/SiUm3L21gNI/AAAAAAAAA0U/gPVxmpEuBTw/s320/White+MJY+ALLIED+MOVING+VAN.jpg is an 800 Series Model 805 (1936 to 1940).
The Dilner Storage unit is the WA Series Model WA-122 (1941 to 1948). As you will see the “MIGHTY JOE YOUNG” truck is an 800.series. Also notice that the truck in the White advertisement on your BLOG shows the distinctive wings making it a WA Series………….
Happy Trails.
Don MacKenzie
I hope you dont mind Mr MacKenzie…
This explains Mets link above to the 2nd one from the left:
and its emblems on the grille and common grille similarities.
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/hank_rabe/2005/nov13/06.jpg
The Dilner Storage unit is the WA Series Model WA-122 (1941 to 1948). As you will see the “MIGHTY JOE YOUNG” truck is an 800.series. Also notice that the truck in the White advertisement on your BLOG shows the distinctive wings making it a WA Series………….
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h2HFSk-YN8U/SiUnFp8n35I/AAAAAAAAA0c/LI5fmnbeH_8/s1600-h/White+MJY+Dillner+Storage+VAN2.jpg
Complete info is here on the Allied Moving van and why they are so diferrent
http://georgedennis.blogspot.com/2009/04/1949-mighty-joe-young-1949-impact_13.html
But he’s sloped in the back, not the front like this van is…
Thats because in that day and age and even today these are custom built to order
actualy that could have been a good competition!
draw a picture of what you think one of the following actualy look like:
Big Al,
Harv,
The truck that Mater liked to crash into,
Harv’s gotta be a Beemer!
My vote for the funniest thing ever written on Take5:
(and yes, back then you could get TakeFiveADay but it only came once a quarter as a mimeographed handwritten newsletter).
Looks like they purposely squared off the back end of Big Al in the first pic (through the dust cloud) to show he was a pickup – almost more like a chopped off VW van/truck… I think the Cars in the second pic are just passing by.
I totally agree! Based on the drawing, I think this is Big Al:
http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/01/70_VWTruck_RH.jpg
I think that purple vehicle is just an RV like this:
http://blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/unknownmotorhome_resized.jpg
Here’s my guess:
http://www.bobbittville.com/JeepMilitary-1957DerolTreat.jpg
Built in 1957, these were known for having a low gear ratio, which means they were built for power, and pulling heavy loads — like Bessie. 🙂
Wow, very cool!
he actually reminds me more of a bus, a lot of windows on that thing. I do like the pics, don’t get me wrong, but it also looks like he is square at the front and tapered to the back, which wold be the reverse of that second photo.
Regardless the clues are awesome!
the front of the black and white photo resembles the Chrysler Airflows…. not sure who made the truck though
why are you bringing him up ya lemmon–
I’m sure you mean “lemon”.
Sally: So, don’t you think the car responsible should fix our road?
Lizzie: The only guy strong enough to fix that road is Big Al!
Ramone: Lizzie, the guy left, like, 15 years ago.
Lizzie: Then why are you bringing him up, you lemon?
So Big Al left Radiator Springs 15 years ago, but no other clues on him.
I think he meant Jack Lemmon.
I think he meant Liz Lemon 🙂
Piratedad beat you to the punch.
Here are the current (last year’s?) DCPIs:
Singles: 087-07-1794
3-Packs: 087-07-1730
oh oops! Guess I should have kept reading…..
There is a stanley, just not a real moving vehicle.
Need to find where to buy these comics.
I think you can buy them online at Boom!
Sorry to jump off-topic, but……
MET, do we have a DPCI for the Story Tellers line that’s coming to Target(again)?
087071730 – 3 packs
087071794 – singles
Sad part is that is from memory…. LOL
i always pictures big al as being a pick up truck,
bigger than mater, and with a few modifications from ramones,
like tattoo’s and stuff
Same here I thought he would look like Bubba.
If they make Big Al…they can very well make us a Stanley. I want a Stanley…Lizzie’s so lonely!
Yeah, Stanley is in Boundin,’ so can we get a correct Stanley? PLEASE! And yes, I will also buy Big Al, because, I’m collecting them for my son… right… thats it…
I don’t think that’s Stanley in Boundin’…
hahah awesome bring them on!!!
Speaking of characters that weren;t in the movie…
http://cgi.ebay.ca/CUSTOM-DISNEY-PIXAR-CARS-MONSTER-TRUCK-TODD-PIZZA-GUY_W0QQitemZ290357851037QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439aad339d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_842wt_1165
Okay, apology accepted, but answer me this…Why did you profile say you were a 16 year old chick? That is a little weird and a lot creepy!
My email is PirateDad95@gmail.com If you ever want to spout off about something I did or said, hit me…otherwise, let’s just stick to cars!
yea, I use to drive one of those! You remember, YOU were there!
Why did you bring him up, you Lemon??
lol!
IF THEY MAKE IT . . . WE WILL BUY IT!! 🙂
DITTO!!
Collect “em all! 😀