Robert Supina submitted this photo and note: “In November 1999, the Super Constellation from Kansas City was brought down to Houston Hobby Airport for the celebration of the grand opening of fundraising to restore the original 1940 Terminal/Tower Building. I obtained permission to park my 1937 Packard LeBaron All/Weather Town Car at the nose for pictures. ‘I’ll give you a ride in MINE if you’ll give me a ride in YOURS!’ I told the pilot. I let both pilots drive my car around their plane, and I got to fly back to Kansas City with them and get 15 minutes right seat time. For insurance purposes, I had to join the organization for $100. Then I had to pay $129 for a Southwest flight back to Houston. Money well spent!”
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Bob,
Very interesting photo. It’s amazing to see parked America’s star Connie TWA along with your historic 1937 Packard LeBaron All.
The offered and subsequent mutual exchange of the rides was definitely worth it. I believe it was money well spent on your part.
Neat information. Certainly worthy of an article.
As a TWA brat, my family traveled the country. It was 9 and a half hour NON STOP flight to LAX from IDL (NYC). My last Connie flight was between STL to Kansas City, 1968.
One of the sexiest planes ever built. How I would love to fly in one!!
Awesome photo! But I’m struck by the irony that the “All-Weather Town Car” has no roof over the front seat. Apparently only the swells in the back deserved protection.
Not uncommon at all for the driver to be out in the elements with early limo type vehicles. Goes back for centuries. You never saw a coachman driving his team of horses from inside the carriage or stagecoach.
The chauffeur’s front seat is convertible so that when m’lady goes into town for tea it can be seen that she has a chauffeur. Limousines had such small windows back then that you could not tell if a chauffeur or owner was driving. Approximately 16 of these cars were built. This is ONLY one known to exist.
Sorry–typo–mean to say “to take” the flight.
I’m jealous! My first flight was in a Capitol Airways (not Airlines) Connie, on the way to Europe for 10 weeks, in 1963. I was 12 at the time–terrified of the flight until we actually took off. Then, a transformation! I would have paid anything that take the flight you had, and I wouldn’t even have minded foregoing the right seat time!
Dad worked for TWA.
Fond memories of throwing up coast-to-coast; flying underneath weather in the Connie. A truly beautiful airplane.
Cost of Membership, cost of return trip, cost of car: Priceless;-)
I have vague memories of flying in a Super Connie as a kid—not sure what age, but probably about 9 or 10, so that would be in 52 or 53 or thereabouts. I wish now that I’d understood then what a treat it really was to fly in it.
Robert,
What a cool picture and such a great idea on your part! Growing up as a kid next to KPIT, I couldn’t help turn my head every time TWA flew in/out with the Connie.