Topic: What's special about this car #3 - Solved! Guy Kibbee's guaranteed parking space device

[Ray B.]

A new kind of puzzle to keep you busy for the weekend.

Name the car if you like, but it won't get you any point. Telling us what is special about it, and what it is used for will get  you one.

If you're new around here, remember that you have to register before you can post your answer.

[Otto Puzzell]

Reminds me of the "My car is sooo light" thread. But I Buick? This guy must be from planet Krypton.

[Ray B.]

He's not lifting the Buick, merely lowering that thing in front.

By the way, I forgot to say, puzzlers: the maker says there are three uses to this thing. You have to name them all.

[Otto Puzzell]

He's not lifting the Buick, merely lowering that thing in front.

I know. As it's a rookie puzzle, I would post a legitimate guess here.

[Ray B.]

And it's a free for all!

And it's another Art an Cars puzzle too! (I just remember that this man from planet Krypton is also an artist. The picture is lousy, I admit, but there will be a second point for whoever recognizes him).

[faksta]

Catapult? 
Maybe it could be used as a protection when it was vertically oriented (I think the man unfolds it), or even as a tow arm in this position.

[Ray B.]

 

[K5ING]

That is a combination grill guard and luggage carrier.  It also serves to guarantee room to pull out of a parking space when extended (cars can't block you in).  . 

The guy in the picture is the inventer and actor, Guy Kibbee.

JWK

[Ray B.]

That is a combination grill guard and luggage carrier.  It also serves to guarantee room to pull out of a parking space when extended (cars can't block you in).  . 

You've done it!
I have underlined the main purpose of this thing. "Grille guard" maybe, but you if you wanted that you could just buy an aftermarket fixed one. "Luggage carrier" is just a joke, as if a 1946 Buick's trunk wasn't big enough, and you ddin't mind to use your suitcases as bumpers.
But I believe that Mr. Kibbee (which I mainly saw in Busby Berkeley's 1930's musicals) was a mean individual who DIDN'T LIKE AT ALL to be stuck along the curb by two cars parked too closely.

[K5ING]

Yea, I agree on it's main purpose, but I couldn't think of a good name for it, except maybe an "extendablebumpertokeepfrombeingblockedin thingie", so I just went with what was in the article.  I'm wondering if he had one on the back bumper as well?  I would.   

[Ray B.]

You're right. I would too. No action is drastic enough against those mo...ers who are gluing themselves to your rear bumper.

[K5ING]

We don't have much in the way of parallel parking in my neck of the woods, Ray.  We have mainly diagonal parking.  I'm going to have to invent a fold down door guard to extend on both sides of the car that will serve the same purpose.