George Albright

Please see Ebay auction # 260910881792 Dear Friends: This auction is for a very rare and significant piece of brass era automotive history. 1917 Kelsey factory prototype hand built auto out of parts from various cars by C.W. Kelsey himself. Kelsey was a well known automotive pioneer and built the 1910-12 Kelsey three wheel car, and later the Kelsey friction drive cars of 1920-24. This prototype vehicle became the basis for those 1920-24 cars, none of which are known to exist, out of the several hundred built over the 4 year period. He was a fan of the friction drive systems found on Lambert, Cartercar and Metz cars, and took the principle and improved upon it, by putting the friction drive assembly in the back of the car, which direct drove the rear wheels, thus eliminating the need for drive chains. Even later he became a minor celebrity as the founder of Rototiller Company Corporation, which later became Troybuilt or Troybilt of Troy N.Y. This car was stored on the top floor of the Rototiller Co. and later Troybilt building in Troy N.Y. for many decades, and sold by Kelsey to automotive historian Keith Marvin in the 1950s or 1960s. Keith in turn sold it to one of his best friends and I bought it from the widow of that friend. Its in same condition Kelsey stored it in the 1930s. Kelsey removed the body in the late 20s and discarded it. As you can see from the enclosed 1955 "The Automobilist" article, written by Keith Marvin, all of this is well documented. HOWEVER I have also just acquired a complete circa 1917 Kelsey Wheel Company of Detroit touring car body, with all 4 doors and the top,which was built as a high end aftermarket body to put on your model T chassis.(In 1923 Kelsey Wheel Co. and Hayes Wheel Co. both of Detroit merged and became the present day Kelsey Hayes Wheel Co.) I have several pages of copies of a 1917 Kelsey Wheel Co. brochure showing this exact body on a Ford Model T chassis. Thus even though this is not the original body that Kelsey discarded in the 1920s, it is historically and actually as close to what the original probably looked like as possible, and even has a Kelsey makers tag on it! This body fits right on this chassis and will basically require just a minor adjustment in the rear fender splash aprons to sit right down and bolt on. This body is included with the chassis for sale in this auction. It has been stored inside a barn for many decades and sports its original paint and top, with a light surface rust. Body is super straight except for a bullet hole in the rear driver’s side door! Back to the chassis: It has an extremely rare Massnick and Phipps of Detroit 22 HP 4 cylinder engine. Engine Model B, serial number 152 stamped in the brass ID tag on the engine. The radiator says Bush Mfg. Co. Hartford, Conn. on the back of it. Radiator is unknown make, but it is not Metz, Overland or Studebaker. It is fairly obvious Kelsey built this vehicle from used parts off of cars from the 1913-17 era. The 30 x 3 wheels and front axle appear to be 1914-15 Ford Model T. No ID on anything else on the car, including the chassis used. Car is approx. 100-inch wheelbase, same as a Model T ford. Should easily run. Turns over great and has good compression. Superb display piece showing the history of Rototiller, and later Troybuilt. Never been outside since the 1930s! Comes with a clear Florida title. I can help arrange shipping. Reserve price is $18,000 and a buy it now price of $19,000 plus shipping, which is a steal for something this rare and historically significant, and in this superb original condition. This vehicle is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction early. Will accept check and wire also. LOTS of photos by email, just ask! Stored in Ocala, Fla. Please feel free to ask questions. Seldom do opportunities like this come up any more! Please DO NOT buy this car unless you are going to protect it and respect its historical value! Good Luck. George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 Email; gnalbright@gmail.com <!-- End Description -->

Please see Ebay Auction # 260910909117. Up for auction is a very rare and historically significant vehicle to aviation and automotive collectors and historians. The "aero car" was built around 1950 in Wichita, Kansas in an unknown aircraft factory by the 4 aircraft factory workers pictured here. I have not found any of these people or their relatives yet. Somehow it made its way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and was stored there for decades until found by an unknown man several years ago. I bought it from a car restorer in Chicago a year ago. That's all we know history wise. It looks amazingly similar to the mid 1950s yellow Aero car pictured. That car is in the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Lakeland, Fla. However there simply is not a tie to that company. Just 4 amazingly talented individuals with a vision. The Aerocar has a 1947 10 HP Onan air cooled motor for power. It has a torque converter on both sides of the engine. From the torque converter, a chain runs down to a late 1930s or early 1940s Harley Davidson 3 speed motorcycle transmission on either side of the engine. Then a second chain runs from each individual transmission to a sprocket on an independent front axle, providing independent front wheel drive on EACH axle! Both transmissions are shifted through one cable on the cars dash. However both transmission cables have to be adjusted just right for them to shift properly at the same time. Struts, rims and wheels are airplane. Doors open like a 300 SL Mercedes! Car was originally covered with a wire lattice, then plaster of Paris covered over the lattice. The frame itself is one inch or so welded steel tubes. A few of them have rotted away in the floor area but there is enough of each missing one to easily see how to make a new tube and replace. Mainly needs a good cleaning and maybe a light bead blasting. If I decide to keep it I am going to restore it and paint just the steel superstructure and not add any latticework or plaster over the skeleton. I think it’s a marvel of engineering work just as is. The prior owner ran the motor earlier this year and said it runs good, though I have not tried to start it. AMAZING engineering! If you collect aero plane, airplane World War 2 II vehicles and items or vintage race cars or racers or speedsters, or just one of a kind odd ball stuff, this is for you! I accept wire or check payments. Will assist with USA or foreign shipping. Reserve price is $18,000. Probably weights 400 lbs or less. Wheels are about 5 feetish wide and car about 10 feetish long. Includes original bumpers and fenders, which were not on the car at the time the original photos were taken, and Plexiglas windows. Comes with a bill of sale. Stored in Ocala, Fla. Lots of photos just ask! This car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction early. George Albright, Ocala, Fla. Cell 352 843 1624. Email: gnalbright@gmail com

Here is a 1 5/8" by 3" brass tag that reads THE AUTOCAR TYPE 10, ENGINE NO. 3218, CAR NO. 2713. Studying the Autocar registry of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain,it appears to be off of a late 1904 or 1905 vehicle,due to its car # and engine #. Type 10s were only made from 1904-1906.Excellent condition and extremely rare. Price is $295.00 firm which includes USA shipping. Overseas shipping $10 extra.George Albright, 209 S.E. 15th Ave. Ocala,Fla. 34471. cell 352 843 1624 email gnalbright@gmail.com

Here is a 1 5/8" by 3" brass tag that reads THE AUTOCAR TYPE 10, ENGINE NO. 3218, CAR NO. 2713. Studying the Autocar registry of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain,it appears to be off of a late 1904 or 1905 vehicle,due to its car # and engine #. Type 10s were only made from 1904-1906.Excellent condition and extremely rare. Price is $295.00 firm which includes USA shipping. Overseas shipping $10 extra.George Albright, 209 S.E. 15th Ave. Ocala,Fla. 34471. cell 352 843 1624 email gnalbright@gmail.com

No but I will post on the HAMB. THANKS for everyones imput!! George

Keep looking and thinking grasshopper!! Geo.

Here is an response I got off of the General Discussion forum.George: That appears to be a shield from one of the many highway promotion organizations that were common in and before the 1920's. The question is which one. Though the organizations existed before the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) adopted a Federal Highway numbering system the Shield in late 1926 many of those organizations continued to exist well into the 1940s as trade associations and had adopted variations of the Shield and marker depictions connecting to their past. I'm going to suggest this medallion was in someway associated with what was known as the National Park to Park Highway given the depiction of a Fur tree and of course the type of Marker commonly used to indicate a designation of some of the early highway connections. The key to this one will be the letters C and K.

THANKS for the quick response! Yes I think you are onto something,as the shield shape looks like a highway designation. Could the fir tree in the center be an arrowhead instead? That might tie it to a highway or place with an Indian designation or name. Or is that the common shape for a fir tree designation during this period? George

I just realized it could also be a literary,educational,or honor society emblem. George

I just realized it could also be a literary,educational,or honor society emblem. George

Dear Friends I bought this 3 1/2 inch times 3 1/2 inch circa 1910-20 brass emblem off Ebay to put on my 1917 Kelsey friction drive prototype.Will put on dash or radiator. I bought it because its neat and the builder of my car Cadwallder Kelsey has these initials in his name. I want to find out what organization this candle in a holder with light radiating off of it represents. No its not Odd Fellows,as their's is a human eye. Looks like it screwed on to a post that in turn may have mounted on a bumper of a car,though thats just a guess. Please forward it to your friends. Leads appreciated! George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email: gnalbright@gmail.com

Sorry! Here are the photos! George

Dear Friends I bought this 3 1/2 inch times 3 1/2 inch circa 1910-20 brass emblem off Ebay to put on my 1917 Kelsey friction drive prototype.Will put on dash or radiator. I bought it because its neat and the builder of my car Cadwallder Kelsey has these initials in his name. I want to find out what organization this candle in a holder with light radiating off of it represents. No its not Odd Fellows,as their's is a human eye. Looks like it screwed on to a post that in turn may have mounted on a bumper of a car,though thats just a guess. Please forward it to your friends. Leads appreciated! George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email: gnalbright@gmail.com

Wanted: circa 1917 to 1925 Ford Model T aftermarket radiator and shell,excellent. Can also be a neat period production car rad.that will fit a early 1920s T cowl. The neater the better,like a V shaped one. Leads appreciated!George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email; gnalbright@gmail.com

Wanted: circa 1917 to 1925 Ford Model T aftermarket radiator and shell,excellent. Can also be a neat period production car rad.that will fit a early 1920s T cowl. The neater the better,like a V shaped one. Leads appreciated!George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email; gnalbright@gmail.com

Wanted: circa 1917 to 1925 Ford Model T aftermarket radiator and shell,excellent. Can also be a neat period production car rad.that will fit a early 1920s T cowl. The neater the better,like a V shaped one. Leads appreciated!George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email; gnalbright@gmail.com

Wanted: circa 1917 to 1925 Ford Model T aftermarket radiator and shell,excellent. Can also be a neat period production car rad.that will fit a early 1920s T cowl. The neater the better,like a V shaped one. Leads appreciated!George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email; gnalbright@gmail.com

Sorry. Here are the photos from the Kesley brochure. I will receive it in 2 weeks and then post all the pages of it out here. Notice the body is identical to the one offered for sale,and is mounted on a Model T chassis. Brochure is dated 1917.

Photos of the 1917 Kelsey Wheel Co. touring car from the brochure offered to me last week. As you can see the touring car body is the same as this one for sale,and it is mounted on a Model T chassis. George

I still have the Equipto Speedster body,but will now use it on a period Model T speedster with speed equipment. I changed bodies because I received copies last week of a 1917 Kelsey Wheel Co. brochure,that showed the Kelsey body that is for sale was made as an aftermarket body for Ford Model Ts. As you know a Model T is 100 inch wb and so is my Kelsey chassis. The speedster body is 96 inches long and the Kelsey Wheel Co. body is 97 1/2 inches long. Thus the Kelsey body will fit on my Kesley chassis. My chassis originally had a touring car body on it that was discarded in the 1920s by Kelsey himself,as per a 1955 interview with Keith Marvin in The Automobilists magazine,which Keith authored. Keith bought the chassis from Kesley in 1970 and some time later sold it to a fried,whose widow sold it to me. Thus even tho it is a different Kelsey Company body it will be as close to original as possible,since we have no photos of my car with the old body still on it in the 1920s. That it! George

In the August 26th,1916 issue of Automobile Topics magazine page 228,is a paragraph stating that the formal merger of Kelsey Wheel Co. is completed. The new company is the result of a merger of Kelsey Wheel Co. , and the Herbert Mfg. Co. of Detroit,the Kelsey Wheel Co. Ltd. of Canada,factory in Windsor,and the Kelsey Wheel Co. of Tennessee. Kelsey Wheel Co. merged with the Hayes Wheel Co. of Detroit in 1927 to become Kelsey Hayes Wheel Co.

Hi Guys: Just an update as of Nov. 1st 2011. I bought the Kelsey body today to put on my Kelsey prototype chassis/running gear. Bought it from the poster Gene Elkins,of Tn. I found out this Kelsey body was made by the Kelsey Wheel Co. of Detroit. I just bought a factory brochure from 1917 showing this exact body in it! Kelsey made wheels and bodies and merged with Hayes Wheel Co. in 1927 to become Kelsey Hayes Wheel Co. This was an aftermarket body for Model T Fords which are 100 inch wb. Since my Kelsey chassis is made partially of Model T parts and is also 100 inch wb, it will be a great fit! My body was removed by Mr. Kelsey himself in the 1920s and discarded,and the chassis stored in the Troybilt factory in Troy N.Y. until 1970 when it was removed by automotive historian Keith Marvin. Even though its two different Kelsey Companies,it is the correct year size,style,etc body as the original.A great ending to a great story. Lets hear it for the AACA Forums! George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email; gnalbright@gmail.com

Dear Friends: At Hershey I bought a matached set of 1936-47 Riley side draft carbs. Made by George Riley of Riley 2 and 4 port head fame. The carb mounting plate is 2 3/8 inch across and the inside hole is 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I want to mount these on a Model A/B engine. Thus I need to find an original or repro dual carb side draft manifold that will fit an A/B. I do not wish to sell the carbs. Leads appreciated! George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email: gnalbright@gmail.com PS I have photos avail. by email. The forum would not let me upload my photos,but I can email them to you.

Dear Friends: At Hershey I bought a matached set of 1936-47 Riley side draft carbs. Made by George Riley of Riley 2 and 4 port head fame. The carb mounting plate is 2 3/8 inch across and the inside hole is 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I want to mount these on a Model A/B engine. Thus I need to find an original or repro dual carb side draft manifold that will fit an A/B. I do not wish to sell the carbs. Leads appreciated! George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email: gnalbright@gmail.com PS I have photos avail. by email. The forum would not let me upload my photos,but I can email them to you.

Wanted: 1900-06 center chain drive rear axle. center or outside brakes. Leads appreciated. $100 reward for lead leading to purchase. George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624 email; gnalbright@gmail.com