Autoparts Harmonic, New York World's Fair

Here's one of those "what the heck is it" photos. If you don't know, it would be hard to guess. Of course there is that helpful sign, informing us that this is none other than the Autoparts Harmonic Orchestra.

According to the VIP guidebook, "...guests are serenaded by the Parts Harmonic Orchestra -- the likes of which they are unlikely to see or hear again. It's immediately apparent there are no musicians, yet the twelve instruments bob and weave as they play. Not so apparent is that all instruments are made from actual Ford automobile parts. Brake cables stretched between a drive shaft and part of a Galaxie frame become a harp; trumpets are fashioned from sections of an axle. A xylophone is created from rear spring leaves, and a banjo is shaped from a differential housing."

Also, "...guests may also note the absence of an orchestra leader. The beat of the music is kept by electric windshield wipers which move in unison on each music rack."


I believe that Rolly Crump had a lot to do with the design of this display, and if you look at the bass violin, it has a "face" that certainly looks like his work.

The music that was played by the Autoparts Harmonic was a version of their theme song, "Get the feel of the wheel of a Ford", it sounded like it was played with various antique auto horns (the kind with the rubber bulb)...not something you'd want to hear very often!