1901 Columbia Victoria

Drop the top, and cruise like a movie star! It sounds like fun. But movie stars live in sunny California -- most of us don't. Convertibles may draw people into showrooms, but sedans take them home. In 1956, only about 2.6 percent of Chevy customers drove home in ragtops. Despite that fact, the carefree appeal of 1950s convertibles has made them a symbol of that era.

The Henney Motor Company produced an electric vehicle, based on the French-made Renault Dauphine, in 1959 and 1960. The cruising speed was around 30 miles per hour, with a range of about 40 miles between charges. This sales catalog for the Henney Kilowatt provided answers to questions buyers had about the vehicle.

Sylvester Roper built steam carriages and motorcycles during the latter half of the nineteenth century. His vehicles were not considered practical but became popular attractions at circuses and fairs. Roper had a heart attack at age 73 while riding one of his steam motorcycles. His death made front-page news in Boston, where he lived and worked.

The taxicab is a fixture in American cities. Unlike buses, subways, and streetcars that run on pre-determined routes and schedules, the cab operates on the rider's terms -- it takes you where you want to go, when you want to go. From horse-drawn cabriolet carriages to specially built sedans, the taxi itself has evolved. But its convenient point-to-point transportation remains unchanged, even as newer ridesharing services compete for customers.