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Oldhippie

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One of the ideas local commercial interests had to encourage travelers to come to cross Donner Summit early in the season was the Tahoe Tavern’s Silver Cup. The Tahoe Tavern was a resort in Tahoe City where Granlibakken Rd. intersects with Highway 89. The silver cup was awarded to the first automobile to cross the Summit.

In 1911 Arthur Foote, of Grass Valley, entered the race along with several friends. It would take nine days to go from Grass Valley to Tahoe City over Donner Summit which was still covered in snow. Hard snow can be driven on apparently fairly well. Foote won probably because he was better prepared than other drivers. Storms had washed out the bridge at Cisco Grove but Foote’s block and tackle got him across.

The block and tackle was also useful for pulling the automobile out of soft snow or crevices. Rope tire chains and tire sleds were also used on the slippery slopes.

It took seven days to get from Emigrant Gap to Soda Springs, 23 miles. It was downhill from there to breakfast at Donner.

Thank you to the Donner Summit Historical Society for the use of these photos. #donnersummit #

Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 1652453617097
Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 1652453681998
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Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 1652453442479
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BroncoBaugh

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Truly awesome pictures and story, TY for posting...
 

IDyeti

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Awesome post.
 

NORCALGXP

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Excellent historical story. Thanks
 

RunNGunArk

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The cable crossing on the creek...amazing... how much cable would it require today to "cable" your bronco across a creek? HAHAHA
 

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broadicustomworks

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Yep, amazing and fun story.
Those old timers were tough as nails, knew a thing or two.
Oh the things we have lost through time, not only in knowledge, but in just pure grit and determination.
I love stories like this, pictures to go along with them.
People took these old cars and WWII era Jeeps through places that even now most would not choose to, or even attempt. Even with our winches, large tires, disconnected SB.
Lots of respect to the older generations.
The tough, innovative, push-their-way-through adversity ways and mindset is something our generations have yet to ever face. FWIW I hope we never have to, unless it's by our own decision to do so.

Thanks for this story, it's really cool to read.

Edit:
I feel fortunate to be at a point in history to where my Grandma would tell me stories of "main street was dirt, as was every other road around here until you got just outside Winton Salem. The road outside the house over there (that HER dad built in like 1910) wasn't much, just a pig-track mostly."
She remembered a world before WWII, spaceflight, jet engines, indoor plumbing. Stuff like this always takes me back to her stories of getting cars unstuck, how much of a big deal it was to "go to town", etc.
 
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Wanted33

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Good old American ingenuity. It can't be beat.
 

Bdisco

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My wife sometime in the late 70s-early 80s. We are searching for an early Bronco but we maybe 5 years too late.

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RPMImages

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America F%ck yeah!
 

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IwannaGOfast

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Great story, even better photos. The black/white photos don't do it justice. The mountain scenery up there is beautiful. My cousin's grew up in Truckee, CA and I've spent a few 4th of July's watching fireworks over Donner Lake.
 

Evolkidbell

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My wife sometime in the late 70s-early 80s. We are searching for an early Bronco but we maybe 5 years too late.

Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 33A5C17B-C617-4C2C-BBA9-F588C38863BE


Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 33A5C17B-C617-4C2C-BBA9-F588C38863BE


Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 33A5C17B-C617-4C2C-BBA9-F588C38863BE


Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 33A5C17B-C617-4C2C-BBA9-F588C38863BE


Ford Bronco A look back at off-road racing history 33A5C17B-C617-4C2C-BBA9-F588C38863BE
Cool stuff. Do you know where these were taken?

EB are out there at a decent price still. Just need to be on the lookout and be patient.
I've seen a few lately, here in CO, for under 20K.
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