That was nearly 50 years ago. But I still recall how he touted the four-wheel brakes, a first for a regular production car. He said the critics told him it would cause many crashes because it would stop so quickly. While the Rickerbacker car didn't last long, four-wheel brakes did.

For some reason lots of cars came with the detachable rim and no tire. It wasn't like you might not ever need one.

The Rickenbacker was a fabulous and well made car, and had just about the coolest badge and mascot a-tall. (Hershey, PA, 2003)

I "discovered" those a few years ago, while doing a job for a friend in the area. We had visited Stanford, and were returning to Half Moon Bay. Native to Australia, they were imported and are now a problem, due to their flammability. But they smell wonderful and reminded me of my childhood years spent in Melbourne.

There’s no tire on that spare wheel in back. But the car does have features I would love on my own: the headlights, the hood ornament, the three-tone color scheme, the running board, the box on the running board, and the cushy back seat.