|
Now the most up-to-date lists, forms, and information of interest to former
ADLers are available instantly, worldwide!
—
ADL Alumni News Winter 08
Thanks to Jim Birkett for providing us with much
of the Marathon story, and to Bob Browne, for loaning us the ADL•1
license plate for use on our Directory cover.)
 The
cover of this year’s membership directory is a scan of the ADL•1
license plate. This plate was obtained by Arthur D. Little, Inc., in 1978
for the firm’s newly purchased limousine, a battleship grey Marathon.
This car featured a black vinyl top, white sidewall tires, a very roomy
interior, and strange faux-brocade upholstery. The bumpers were massive
aluminum beams, and some say it looked like the product of a Russian tractor
factory.
From 1961 to 1982, the Marathon was produced by the Checker Motors Company
of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Marathon remained virtually unchanged during
its 19 years of production.
ADL’s Marathon was used to transport clients and other VIPs to and
from the Cambridge, MA campus, Boston’s Logan Airport, and local
area hotels and destinations. But by 1988, although mileage was only in
the low 40,000s, the car was starting to rust. It was decided to retire
the Marathon and replace it with a large four-door sedan. Bob Browne of
the ADL travel department had the duty of removing the ADL•1 plate.
But the question arose of what to do with the old Marathon—which
had little or no trade-in value. It was decided to give the car to Jim
Birkett, who was leaving ADL after 26 years of service. And so, in the
spring of 1988, at a splendid going-away party in the Acorn Park cafeteria,
then ADL President John Magee presented Jim with the keys and registration.
Jim owned the Marathon for nearly twenty years, keeping it roadworthy,
registered, and inspected. It was driven only in the summertime and kept
away from winter road-salt. It featured in various weddings (including
his daughter’s), as its enormous back seat could easily accommodate
any wedding dress.
Finally last summer, Jim decided he had to part with the old girl. But,
considering that it had been a gift, he felt he could not honorably sell
it. So he donated it to the Skidompha Public Library (Damaris-cotta),
where it was auctioned off for the library’s benefit. It now resides
in the Hartford, CT area with a collector of such regal, retired automobiles.
You are visitor number 
|
 2008
DIRECTORY
If you have changes to report to your data, please
Send Us An Update>>.
Start or Renew Your
Membership for 2008!
OR
If you are considering joining us for the first time, learn
more about membership>>
|
