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An Old Cowboy's Last Ride
black mamba
Registered Users Posts: 8,321 Major grins
Tom Mix was one of Hollywood's brightest stars during the 20's, 30's and 40's. He was the reigning star of western films all of that time. All told, he made 291 films....both feature length and short format. He was as much a big story in real life as he was in the movies. His horse riding skills were legendary, as were his skills at shooting. He had done real-life cowboy work and brought those experiences to the silver screen.
Mix's lust for living the good life was always a huge story around Hollywood. Having been married 5 times didn't seem to slow down his craving for wild parties, living in huge homes, and doing whatever else his immense wealth provided for.
Mix had made friends with Wyatt Earp in Earp's later years and served as a pallbearer at Earp's funeral in 1929....where it was reported that Mix cried like a baby. Due to his larger-than-life persona, Mix found it easy to ease his way into the highest of social circles....people wanted to be associated with him. Interestingly, though, one up-and-coming western actor and Mix had a very contentious relationship....they hated each other. That other actor was none other than John Wayne. It was said that Mix saw his own star fading and greatly resented that Wayne was looking as if he was becoming a bigger star. Wayne, for his part, never forgave Mix for a false promise he gave to Wayne that he would help him break into the movies.
One of Mix's greatest loves was classy automobiles. The one you see below was his admitted favorite....a 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton. It was also the car in which he was killed. There were only 196 models like this one made....and only 3 that had these particular options, such as the external mounted spare tire. The other two made were owned by the jazz singer, Al Jolson, and the actress, Barbara Stanwick.
Mix was riding through Arizona in October, 1940. He came upon a washed-out bridge construction site, going a little too fast, lost control and went off the road. He had stashed an aluminum case on the shelf behind himself....one that was full of cash and jewels. The case flew forward, crushing his head and breaking his neck. He was 60 years old.
Mix's lust for living the good life was always a huge story around Hollywood. Having been married 5 times didn't seem to slow down his craving for wild parties, living in huge homes, and doing whatever else his immense wealth provided for.
Mix had made friends with Wyatt Earp in Earp's later years and served as a pallbearer at Earp's funeral in 1929....where it was reported that Mix cried like a baby. Due to his larger-than-life persona, Mix found it easy to ease his way into the highest of social circles....people wanted to be associated with him. Interestingly, though, one up-and-coming western actor and Mix had a very contentious relationship....they hated each other. That other actor was none other than John Wayne. It was said that Mix saw his own star fading and greatly resented that Wayne was looking as if he was becoming a bigger star. Wayne, for his part, never forgave Mix for a false promise he gave to Wayne that he would help him break into the movies.
One of Mix's greatest loves was classy automobiles. The one you see below was his admitted favorite....a 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton. It was also the car in which he was killed. There were only 196 models like this one made....and only 3 that had these particular options, such as the external mounted spare tire. The other two made were owned by the jazz singer, Al Jolson, and the actress, Barbara Stanwick.
Mix was riding through Arizona in October, 1940. He came upon a washed-out bridge construction site, going a little too fast, lost control and went off the road. He had stashed an aluminum case on the shelf behind himself....one that was full of cash and jewels. The case flew forward, crushing his head and breaking his neck. He was 60 years old.
I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
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Hi Pard,
The last time this car traded hands, it was through a private sale so there's no record as to what it sold for. Considering the car on its own merits, it is a very rare model and certainly one of the most coveted of all Cords. When you consider its tie-in to Tom Mix and add that dimension, the value soars to unknown heights. This car had its crash damage fixed in 1940. The current owner had it restored to the highest of standards in 2010. It is a stunning piece of rolling art. I can't even guess what it might sell for today.
Take care,
Tom
Magnificent looking and in every way a classic. The restoration looks fantastic.
Beautiful set of pictures too.
Last weekend I went to my very first car show. I was thinking of many of your pics I've seen here, I took three shots and my battery died, the spare one in my other camera bag...
Oh well...
www.mind-driftphoto.com
The question hanging like the dust in the air tho' is "Is there a better way to go?"!
Neil
PS Would love a tour of the dash!!:smo
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Thanks for posting large - I get the feeling of being there and seeing something I might not have otherwise.
Times have changed...I can't keep my revolver under the dash - classic!
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Picadilly, NB, Canada
Thanks for the visit, Ian. I appreciate the nice comment.
You hit upon the core issue when talking about the car's worth....finding the right buyer. In dealing with race cars, the roster of those who drove the car in competition can greatly influence the car's value. The same goes for cars like this one; the notoriety of the owner carries a lot of impact, particularly if the buyer is impressed by that facet of the car's history.
A prime example of such forces at work can be seen when examining the sales of vehicles owned by the late Steve McQueen. Huge premiums are paid......some say beyond all reason.....simply because of McQueen's prior ownership. I have no doubt that either of the two Cords similar to this one would benefit in a sale just because of Jolson's or Stanwick's ownership.
Tom
Boy, haven't we all had experiences like that with batteries.:cry
Thanks for looking in,
Tom
As always, Neil, I love to hear from you. You often can provide an insight that may have escaped me.
The dash in that car is truly one that captivates the viewer.
Take care,
Tom
Thanks, Eric, for the kind words.
The gun location.....yea, another of our rights that have been eroded.
Tom
Hi Ceci,
Thanks for the nice comments.
I'm looking forward to seeing more postings from you. You've been keeping too low of a profile lately.
Take care,
Tom
It is never to late to become what you might have been.
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Lensmole
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cars to people. Thread titles are not to be trusted.
As usual, great photographs and interesting backstory. Well
worth opening.
http://tonycooper.smugmug.com/
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the visit.
Tom
The Cord in the picture did indeed have flip-up headlights....one of the first cars to do so.
Boy, the 70's and a Trans Am. I owned a 1974 Trans Am SD 455. Red with black interior. In fact, the Trans Am of that year was only available in 3 colors....red,white, or blue. I really wanted a white one but the red one was the first SD 455 I could get get my hands on so I took that one. I had the automatic transmission worked on so that it gave real positive shifts. I had a 4:10 rear end put in and had the carb massaged. Damn, I miss that car....even after all these years.
Tom
Actually, some of the road crew repairing the washed-out bridge were on the scene way before the cops. I'm not sure that the aluminum case even opened because of the wreck.
Thanks for looking in,
Tom
Wayne certainly took over the King's chair once he got rolling. But there were all kinds of cowboy stars before he showed up. Bob Steele was a big one. William S. Hart was even bigger yet. Tom Mix, however, was the acknowledged leader of the pack for quite some time.
Take care,
Tom
Thanks, Eia, for dropping by.
There's nothing shy about Mix's car....inside or out. But then it fit his personality perfectly.
Tom
Hi Tony, it's always great to hear from your quarters.
You should know all about using titles.:D:duel They're a little unmerciful on you over in the Documentary forum.
Take care my friend,
Lauren
Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com
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"If you've found a magic that does something for you, honey, stick to it. Never change it." - Mae West, to Edith Head.
"Every guy has to have one weakness - and it might as well be a good one." - Shell Scott: Dance With the Dead by Richard S. Prather
You are absolutely right, Lauren. Yellow can be a real bear to handle sometime. That's when experience can come to the rescue; when your camera is trying to sneak one by you.
See ya',
Tom
Yes sir, it is for sure. That's one of those cars where we gather up the gang, jump in, put the top down and just ride.:ivar
Take care, Lee,
Tom
Sometimes I feel more attention is given to titles than to the
images. I have trouble believing that someone can be that
confused because of a thread's title.
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Yeah Mix was very popular in Australia. In the bush, American Westerns were avidly consumed. There seems to be an audience generation gap between Mix and Wayne, tied pehaps to the one being pre WW2 and the other post. But both had a stare and a turn of mouth that made guns a bit superfluous!
Neil
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