nzcarnerd

Model 6-27, which was the only model Pontiac did at that time, first introduced in January of 1926. It has the second type of hubcaps so is not from the first three months of production. This car - http://adm.automobiledrivin.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/1926-Pontiac.jpg has the early type ( the change coincided with the use of a different type of steering box). The 1927 models were nearly identical but had smooth full crown front fenders and not the triple step front fenders seen on the early cars. In the first year only the coupe and coach body styles were available and from later in 1926 more styles were made. The engine is a 186 cid side valve six (3 1/4" x 3 3/4") with three main bearings, and distinctive in appearance, having two cylinder heads with the distributor between them. The engine was one of very few at the time to have a stroke of less than 4 inches and in fact had the shortest stroke of any American car when introduced. No front brakes until 1928.

I am fairly sure this car - http://forums.aaca.org/gallery/image/36240-dscn05911/ - is the same model; a circa 1918 Type 55 with a 130 mm bore x 170 mm stroke (9 litres) side valve four cylinder engine. I see amongst the lathes, mills and guns in the link for the original picture there are a few more interesting old cars. That is am impressive looking gas light on the bike in the background. As the Fiat's plate is dated 1922 I guess the bike is a very early Indian Chief.

I think Curti means 'sloper' rather than 'slopper'. There is a selection of pics here - http://www.gregwapling.com/hotrod/slopers/ Re the Datsun/Austin connection, I need to research it more but there is mention of possible court action in the pre war era in one article I found as I think there was some copying and not licence production. I think Datsun made their cars different enough that they were not the same as the British cars - for example they used semi elliptic rear springs where the Austin had quarter elliptics. Certainly the body styling was quite different. Post war there must have been a rethink by the 'victors' as Datsun built Austin A40s under licence.

The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 is a good start for basic specifications and serial numbers and it has enough pictures to enable you to distinguish various year models. I think this might be the 'multi volume set that Dave mentioned - Vol. 1 goes to 1942 and there is a third volume that covers 1976 through to the 1990s I think. I have Vol.1 but not Vol. 3. My copy of Vol. 2 dates from 1982 but maybe there were later editions? From there Dr Google is an good as any.

The second one is a mid 1930s Datsun, like the sedan in the black and white pic on this page - http://www.earlydatsun.com/datsun14.html

How does one distinguish a Special from a Super in this case?

I think the car is 1940 but the fender skirts are 1941. Looks long enough that it might be a Century. Maybe repost this in the pre war Buick section and see if the experts can be more precise.

A little more info might help. What is the approximate wheelbase - i.e. the distance between front and rear axles. What is the diameter of the brake drums. Are the brakes rod, cable or hydraulic? I see a tyre there which I presume is off it -can the tyre size be read? I guess the style of the diff head has to be a clue although I don't recognise it. I wonder if it is some sort of light truck.

I have had another look at this one and I think there is actually not enough visible to determine whether it is a demi-tonneau or a regular touring. Both had no front doors or windshield but one difference is in the size of the rear doors, which can't be seen here, and also the cowl which, again, we can't see.

This car looks to be a Demi-tonneau body which I think came from the factory with no front doors and no windshield. This car is fitted with an aftermarket set up to give some protection to the occupants. In this link - http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/380097.html?1376240276 it says the 1910 cars had the same size hubcaps front and rear - the 1911s are different - which I think means that the car here is 1910.

A few cars in the late 1920s used louvres of this style but because of the style of the retaining clips I think these are not from a car.

Probably from the teens. Try to find a maker's name somewhere on it. Maybe on the edge of the glass?

Buick Model 10 I think - 1908-1910.

Seeing that it sold for a little less and weighed a few pounds les it is reasonable to assume that there were a few things not fitted to it - but what? Maybe no back seat? Maybe rubber mats on the floor?

It has a rotary engine, a type that was widely used in WW1. Put simply the block spins with the prop and the crank remains still. Some basic info here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_engine

Slight hint of a vee suggests maybe Lancia. Maybe clean it up and see what you can find in the way of numbers.

Took a bit of searching but I found it - 1931 Chevrolet five passenger coupe - http://hotrod.gregwapling.com/chevrolet/1929to33chev.html - if that page of information is correct. The 572 code was also used for the 1932 coupe.

Have a look here - http://www.hondatwins.net/forums/45-miscellaneous-discussion/40088-cb160-vin-year-production.html - and there are a few more threads on the subject on the same site. Seems the model was introduced late '64 and your number looks to be fairly early.

Modern aftermarket? I think these are available for several makes.

More re the size of the Wolseley Hornet. If you do a Google image search for 'Wolseley Hornet Swallow' you will that the wheelbase is short enough that the front of the rear wheel is about level with the back of the front(only!) seat. Our mystery car has nearly the whole diameter of the wheel as space between the two.

It is way too big to be a Hornet but I guess it could be a one of the larger model Wolseleys.

There were no 1931 Erskines. The 1930 Erskine became the 1930 Studebaker Model 53 part way through the 1930 season. Maybe you should post a photo of the tag. Could the '31' actually be '51'? That would make it 1928.

Some FN info here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Four - if this one has the atmospheric valves then it is pre 1914. I guess measuring bore and stroke will determine the year more accurately.

The rear end has 12 bolts holding the rear hubs together whereas the 1916-23s use only six. I think this is from a Standard Six from the mid 1920s. Something I have not studied in detail but I think the rear ends with only a few bolts are full floating - as the later Master is also - and this type is not. One for the early Buick experts. Maybe re post this in the pre war Buick section.

To prove the date need to look at casting dates and serial numbers. If the body is not the original then the chassis number can be found stamped on the very left rear corner of the chassis once the body is removed. If it is that early and the body is original it will be a Fisher-built item. Check post #22 in my son's thread on the subject - http://forums.aaca.org/topic/227719-1925-chrysler-speedster/page-2 By the way this project has slowed a little with him moving towns for his new job, although it is only an hour away.