A Rare Italian Luxury Car Rolls In And Steals The Show
About this episode
A rare 1910 Bianchi limousine steals the spotlight at the Back to the Past car show, as the hosts engage with owner Lee Brown about its fascinating history and unique features. The discussion covers the car's brass era significance, its luxurious design, and the challenges of maintaining such a vintage vehicle. Alongside this captivating story, the episode features a rundown of upcoming Renaissance festivals and automotive events, making it a blend of car culture and community happenings.
The morning started as a casual remote at Houston’s Back to the Past car show and turned into a deep dive into 1910 luxury on wheels. We met Lee Brown and his extraordinary Bianchi limousine, a Milan-built brass-era time capsule that still runs, still turns heads, and still asks you to earn every mile. From bevel glass and flower vases to a chauffeur’s exposed perch, the car lays out a social map of the Edwardian world where aristocrats rode in comfort and drivers braved the elements.
We walk through the car’s astonishing details and the rituals that bring it to life: five oil lamps, dual acetylene generators for the headlamps, a single electric dome light powered by a glass jar battery, and a hand-crank start that includes pressurizing the fuel tank and priming each cylinder. Under the bonnet, a magneto-fired, single casting four-cylinder shows the state of early engine design, while a flyball speedometer driven off the driveshaft measures speed without a single chip or wire. With the factory archives lost to WWII bombings, restoration means detective work—disassembling, learning, and erring on the safe side with lubrication and setup. It’s preservation as practice, not a checkbox.
We also map out five standout Renaissance festivals worth a fall road trip, from Maryland and Minnesota to the massive Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, plus a quick-hit events calendar and a notable industry fraud case. The thread tying it all together is culture on wheels: how cars store memory, how communities gather around craft, and how old machines still teach us patience, precision, and joy.
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Buick Century
"Well, kind of. 16th century European village recreation. And they've got, of..."
The Buick Century is a type of car that was made for many years and is known for being comfortable and roomy inside. It was a popular choice for families because it offered a smooth ride and lots of space.
The Buick Century is a mid-size car that was produced by General Motors from 1936 to 2005. Known for its comfortable ride and spacious interior, the Century was popular among families and older drivers, making it a significant model in Buick's lineup over the decades.
Ford Model T
"Is that a Model T? Perfect. What is that?"
The Ford Model T is one of the first cars that many people could afford. It was made between 1908 and 1927 and is known for being very important in the history of cars.
The Ford Model T is a historic automobile produced by Ford Motor Company from 1908 to 1927. It is widely regarded as the first affordable automobile, making car travel accessible to the general public.
oil burner
"It's an oil burner. I can tell you that."
An 'oil burner' is a type of engine that uses oil as fuel. This term is often used for older cars or specific engines that work this way.
The term 'oil burner' typically refers to an engine that runs on oil, often used in the context of older vehicles or specific types of engines that utilize oil as a fuel source, such as diesel engines.
Bianchi
"It's a Bianchi. It was made in Milan, Italy. Bianchi."
Bianchi is a brand from Italy that makes bikes and used to make cars. They have been around for a long time, starting in 1885.
Bianchi is an Italian manufacturer known for producing bicycles and, historically, automobiles. Founded in 1885, the brand has a rich heritage in both cycling and automotive history.
brass era
"So you indicated it's the brass era."
The brass era is a time in car history when cars were first being made, and they often had shiny brass parts. This was before cars became more modern and had different materials and designs.
The brass era refers to a period in automotive history from the late 1890s to about 1915, characterized by the use of brass fittings and ornaments on cars. This era saw the transition from horse-drawn carriages to motor vehicles, with many manufacturers emerging during this time.
Cadillac
"...like the Cadillac or the Rolls Royce of the era. In fact, that was one time considered the Rolls Royce of Italy."
Cadillac is a famous American car brand that makes luxury cars. They are known for their quality and style, often seen as a status symbol.
Cadillac is a luxury vehicle brand of General Motors known for its high-end cars and innovative technology. Founded in 1902, it has a long history of producing premium vehicles that symbolize American luxury.
Rolls Royce
"...like the Cadillac or the Rolls Royce of the era. In fact, that was one time considered the Rolls Royce of Italy."
Rolls Royce is a British car brand that makes very expensive and luxurious cars. They are known for their craftsmanship and elegance.
Rolls Royce is a British luxury automobile maker known for its high-quality, handcrafted vehicles. Established in 1904, it is synonymous with luxury and prestige in the automotive world.
oil lamps
"...it has five oil lamps, two on the cowl, two on the carriage, and one in the back."
Oil lamps are old-fashioned lights that used oil to create a flame. They were used in early cars before electric lights were invented.
Oil lamps were a common source of light in early automobiles before the advent of electric lighting. They used oil as fuel and were often found on vintage cars for visibility at night.
acetylene generator
"And because this is a luxury car, it actually has two acetylene generators. One for each hand lamp."
An acetylene generator makes a gas called acetylene, which can be used to light up headlights. This was a common way to power car lights before electric lights were invented.
An acetylene generator is a device that produces acetylene gas, often used in lighting and welding applications. In the context of cars, it was historically used for headlamp illumination before electric lights became standard.
electric light
"...So having a car with an electric light on it was really high class. And so that one has one electric light and that's the dome light."
An electric light is a light that runs on electricity. In the past, having a light in your car was a sign of wealth because electricity was not widely available.
An electric light in early automobiles was a luxury feature, providing illumination inside the car. This was particularly significant in the early 1900s when electricity was not as common in homes or vehicles.
glass jar battery
"...the electricity is created by a glass jar battery which is under the front seat. Generates 8.2 volts and lights."
A glass jar battery is an old kind of battery that stores electricity in a glass container. It was used in early cars to power things like lights.
A glass jar battery is an early type of battery used to store electricity, often made with glass containers. In this context, it powers the electric light in the car.
Bianchi limousine
"...that's the only 1910 Bianchi limousine in existence. It's truly an amazing car."
The Bianchi limousine is a very old car from 1910, made by a company called Bianchi. It's special because only a few were made, and it's one of the few left today.
The Bianchi limousine is a historic vehicle produced by the Italian manufacturer Bianchi in 1910. It is notable for its rarity, with only 450 cars made that year, and is considered an important piece of automotive history.
four-cylinder cast-in block
"...It's a four-cylinder cast-in block, which means all four cylinders are cast together. So they're not sleeved, it's cast."
A four-cylinder cast-in block is a type of engine where all four parts that make the engine work are made together in one piece. This can make the engine stronger and easier to build.
A four-cylinder cast-in block refers to an engine design where all four cylinders are cast as a single piece. This design can improve structural integrity and reduce manufacturing complexity compared to separate cylinder sleeves.
magneto
"Magneto driven. Yep."
A magneto is a device that helps start an engine by creating electricity. It's often used in older vehicles instead of a battery.
A magneto is a type of electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce alternating current, primarily used to ignite the fuel-air mixture in an engine. It's commonly found in older aircraft and some classic cars.
updraft carburetor
"With an updraft carburetor. Updraft, yep."
An updraft carburetor is a part that mixes air and fuel for the engine. It pulls air from above and sends it down into the engine to help it run.
An updraft carburetor is a type of carburetor where the air-fuel mixture enters from the top and flows downward into the engine. This design was common in older engines and is less efficient than modern fuel injection systems.
pressurize the gas tank
"And you have to pressurize the gas tank to get it to start. That's why it took so long to get here."
Pressurizing the gas tank means adding pressure to help push fuel into the engine. Some older cars need this to start properly.
Pressurizing the gas tank is a method used in some older vehicles to ensure that fuel is delivered to the engine under pressure, which helps with starting and fuel flow. This is often necessary in carbureted engines.
primer cups
"...you got to put primer cups, gasoline and primer cups into each cylinder because the choke had yet to be invented. So you do all that business."
Primer cups help get the engine started by putting fuel directly where it's needed. They are used in some older cars that don't have a choke, which helps with starting the engine.
Primer cups are small devices used in older engines to help start the engine by delivering a small amount of fuel directly into the cylinders. This is particularly useful in engines without a choke, which regulates the air-fuel mixture during starting.
flywheel
"The fan is built into the flywheel, which is on the backside of the engine and has a belly pan. So the engine compartment is a wind tunnel."
A flywheel is a round metal piece that helps keep the engine running smoothly. Here, it's noted that the flywheel also has a fan built into it, which is not common in most cars.
The flywheel is a mechanical device that stores rotational energy and helps smooth out the power delivery from the engine. In this context, it's mentioned as having a built-in fan, which is a unique design feature.
thermostat
"Does it have a thermostat or a temperature gauge on it?"
A thermostat is like a temperature controller for the engine. It helps keep the engine from getting too hot by allowing coolant to flow when needed.
A thermostat is a component in the cooling system that regulates the engine's temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. It opens and closes based on the engine's temperature to prevent overheating.
fly ball speedometer
"...it's called a fly ball speedometer. It's got two pendulums and hang down and as it spins, they rotate out and mechanically pushes up."
A fly ball speedometer is a type of speedometer that uses spinning weights to show how fast a vehicle is going. As the vehicle moves, these weights swing out and help move the needle on the speedometer.
A fly ball speedometer is a mechanical device that uses centrifugal force to measure speed. It features two pendulums that move outward as the drive shaft spins, which then indicates the speed on the gauge.
paint protection film
"coating, install a paint protection film, nanoceramic window tent, or new windshield"
Paint protection film is a clear covering that you can put on your car's paint to help keep it safe from scratches and damage.
Paint protection film is a transparent layer applied to a vehicle's exterior to protect the paint from scratches, chips, and other damage.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield
"protection called ExoShield, Gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go. Curb your wheels?"
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is a business in Houston that helps protect cars by installing special films and tints to keep them looking good.
Gulf Coast Auto Shield is an automotive service company based in Houston that specializes in paint protection films, window tinting, and other vehicle protection services.
radar detector
"How about a professionally installed radar detector? Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too."
A radar detector is a gadget that can tell you if police are using radar to check how fast you're going, helping you avoid speeding tickets.
A radar detector is a device used in vehicles to detect if the speed of the vehicle is being monitored by law enforcement using radar guns.
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