1957 Miscellaneous Scooter in Williamston, Michigan

From the Don Henley Collection 1957 FORALL SCOOTER An Artifact of Springfield, Illinois, Manufacturing History HISTORICAL OVERVIEW The FORALL scooter was produced from 1957 through 1959 by Bob Baugh and the Illinois Foundry in Springfield, Illinois. Baugh was a co-owner of the Illinois Foundry, which was apparently one of the largest foundries in Illinois during the mid-to-late 1950s. By this period, however, the foundry had fallen on difficult times, and much of its property was reportedly sitting idle. According to the history associated with the FORALL, Baugh encountered the remains of a Doodlebug scooter around Springfield. He borrowed the scooter from its owner with the intention of using it as the foundation for developing a scooter of his own. Baugh brought the Doodlebug to the Illinois Foundry and made a number of modifications to its design. The resulting FORALL was approximately one-third larger than the Doodlebug. Some Doodlebug components were retained and could be used as direct bolt-on components on early FORALL scooters, including the handlebars and gasoline tank. According to the story, Baugh later expressed his appreciation to the owner of the original Doodlebug by presenting him with the first FORALL scooter produced from the line. DISTINCTIVE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN The FORALL possesses several features that distinguish it from the Doodlebug and other small scooters of its period. A particularly notable feature is its cast-aluminum floorboard. Later FORALL models were also equipped with a cast-aluminum belt guard. Both the floorboard and belt guard are constructed of cast aluminum, demonstrating the use of the Illinois Foundry's manufacturing capabilities in the scooter's construction. The handlebars and gooseneck were adapted from bicycle components and are chrome plated. These combinations of foundry-produced components and adapted bicycle parts contribute to the FORALL's distinctive appearance and mechanical character. CONTROL SYSTEM The control arrangement of the FORALL differs somewhat from that of the Doodlebug and may initially seem unusual to a modern rider. Control arrangement: • Throttle - Left side • Brake - Right side The controls are not spring operated. Consequently, both the throttle and brake must be manually opened and closed by the operator. The FORALL utilizes bicycle shift-lever-style controllers, an unusual but characteristic feature of the scooter. The rear band brake is constructed from a section of V-belt that rubs against the rear hub. ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN The FORALL is powered by a 2�-horsepower Tecumseh engine. The engine is equipped with a centrifugal clutch connected to a countershaft. This basic arrangement is similar to the drivetrain configuration used on the Doodlebug scooter. The engine represents an interesting period in the history of American small-engine manufacturing during the late 1950s. PRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The FORALL had a relatively brief production history, manufactured from approximately 1957 through 1959. It is estimated that approximately 1,800 to 2,500 FORALL scooters were produced. The original selling price was $189. Although its production period was short, the FORALL represents an intriguing example of mid-century American manufacturing ingenuity. Its development was closely connected to the Springfield, Illinois, industrial community and to the capabilities of the Illinois Foundry. The scooter also illustrates the creative reuse and adaptation of existing components that was characteristic of small-scale American manufacturing during the 1950s. MUSEUM ARTIFACT PROFILE Item Historical Detail Collection Don Henley Collection, Springfield, Illinois Manufacturer Illinois Foundry Location Springfield, Illinois Designer / Developer Bob Baugh Production Period 1957-1959 Estimated Production Approximately 1,800-2,500 scooters Original Price $189 Engine 2�-horsepower Tecumseh Clutch Centrifugal clutch Drivetrain Countershaft Floorboard Cast aluminum Item Historical Detail Belt Guard Cast aluminum on later models Handlebars / Gooseneck Adapted bicycle components Throttle Left-hand control Brake Right-hand control Rear Brake V-belt band brake AACA Recognition 2017 HPOF Certification A REMARKABLE PIECE OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY The FORALL scooter is more than a small motor scooter from the 1950s. It is a tangible representation of a particular period in Springfield's industrial history, when foundries, machine shops, and small manufacturers possessed the ability to transform existing designs and components into entirely new products. This FORALL scooter is a running, complete, and totally original specimen, preserving its original character and features from the period in which it was manufactured. The FORALL received HPOF certification in 2017 from the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). HPOF stands for "Historic Preservation of Original Features," a national AACA program recognizing vehicles that retain significant original features and components. Its short production run, limited estimated numbers, distinctive cast-aluminum construction, unusual control system, connection to the Doodlebug, 2017 AACA HPOF certification, and its exceptional state of completeness and originality make the FORALL an especially interesting artifact of American small-engine and scooter history. The FORALL stands as an example of the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and manufacturing experimentation that characterized the late 1950s-and as a unique piece of Springfield, Illinois, heritage