mrcvs

My radiator style is fin and tube. Let me do some research into what AACA chapter to join as there certainly is overlap in the area of Pennsylvania that I reside. And if any recommendations as to which one might be best given overlap, in the Macungie, PA area for 1917 and earlier automobiles? I am in the Lehigh Valley, but not far from the Berks County line, etc. And, a LOT will depend on my new job. Other than leave, in which my wife wants me to do things other than work on cars, I have been living out of a hotel for my job for quite some time and I’ve been home only about 30 hours a week. You can see why it was time to change jobs.

You touched upon a few things… My regret is being so close to the Horseless Carriage era, I did belong for awhile, but when I realized I have a space issue I may never be able to get a pre 1915 automobile. Ket ne see how my new job is time wise and if I have some time for this hobby, I will join the AACA. How do I find a chapter near me? I would describe as the radiator percolates and that’s why I’ve never driven it more than 7 or 8 miles from home, and, more recently, the furthest I had been in 2015 or 2016 was Das Auscht Fecht about 4 or 5 miles away. How do I tell the difference between percolation and overheating?

I am in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area. I feel guilty about relying on others I don’t even know when this is for my personal gain. My buddy who died was a friend and I helped him out with some things going on in his life in return for his help. But, on the other hand, I have asked for help. So it is a very odd situation. And I don’t know what my new job and its hours will really be like. I’m guessing much less than the 60 to 70 hours a week I’ve worked for a long time. If not, then this will have to be put on hiatus until I retire in 5 to 10 years. The thought of paying someone to do it right has crossed my mind. But who? And at what cost? But I rather enjoy learning and fixing it myself so that’s not a realistic option for me UNLESSit means the difference between actually running and being reliable and this not being the case. There was a book about a man who also had a 1917 Maxwell and drove it across the country a few years ago. He wrote a book about this called Chasing Grandpa. I haven’t read it, but if a cross country trek can be done, 200 miles or so a year should be no sweat. My biggest concern is overheating. Well, I guess everything else problematic is a concern too but one thing I never could get right with this car and a 1930 Model A I had to sell because I lost my storage space was the propensity to overheat.

I know this is an odd topic, but owning an early car that is too unique to have a local chapter, such as a Model A Club, and not having a network of aficionados around, how does one go about getting a car running and keeping it running? Background: I didn’t grow up around old cars but I certainly admire them. I am younger than most on this forum probably, or at least those interested in the early stuff. I have a 1917 Maxwell 25 Touring automobile. I had a friend who worked on this with me and he was my age and we usually got it going. It really takes two to work on a car. Helps when working on timing, one entertains things inside the car, like depressing the starter, while the other leans over the engine, etc. Sadly, he passed away during Covid. The last time we worked on it after sitting for a winter, the starter didn’t seem to work, which had been going on for awhile, and we were using the crank by that point. It would turn over but not start. I think that was about 4 years ago now. I found I never drove this car when running, as I was always afraid of breaking down far from home. Also, I never got it to where overheating wasn’t a concern. Lastly (I think), the carburetor was never trustworthy and would sometimes just start leaking gasoline. With the loss of my friend, and working a ridiculous number of hours, I have just let the car sit. Now, I’m at the point where I have to replace a few things to even consider having it run. Namely, at a minimum, 4 new tires, due to dry rot, and a new battery. I am switching jobs soon, and that might allow for more free time to work on things like cars—we shall see. As it turned over but wouldn’t start, I don’t know what else I might need, and obtaining parts is an issue. About 10 years ago, I threw a fan blade into the radiator, and managed to have that repaired and find a new fan blade, but I’m always afraid of a repeat of that. I like this car as it’s unrestored and looks like a Beverly Hillbillies car! So, I’m at a crossroads here. Sink a bunch of money in it even for tires and a battery and gave it not run or only have it run for a few miles or just maybe wait until retirement for this. This is too old for a local mechanic to handle (I wish they could!), and even if they could, sometimes it’s a very long time before finding a particular part. Im just looking for advice or ideas right now, especially if you have been or are in the same quagmire. My wife would actually like this car to run again, and reliably so. i thank you in advance.

In response to your question, Smith & Wesson had excellent records, often better than Colt’s records were. Here’s the factory letter associated with this revolver.

Any thoughts? Anyone?

The founders of Packard sold Packard Electric in 1915 to Newton Amos Wolcott. I was wondering if James Ward Wolcott or William Doud Packard we’re into revolver shooting at all? The revolver in this thread was owned by Newton Amos Wolcott. It is unusual in that it is of the Target Model configuration of the Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector First Model revolver, and downright rare having the special order Lyman ivory bead front sight and the “U” notch rear Target sight. It shipped to Mr Wolcott in 1909. In that era, only a serious revolver shooter would want such sights. Often they might target shoot with friends. If one or both of the Packard brothers were into the shooting sports, perhaps they handled or even fired this revolver? Any thoughts? My grandfather owned a 1937 Packard. I’ve wanted one for decades. Garage space is the issue. Maybe in a few years when I retire I’ll own one. Hopefully this revolver isn’t my closest connection to a Packard ever.

That’s EXACTLY why pre war, and not just pre 1920, HAS to be free!

I don’t mind the heat. My wife did. But others on this thread disliked it so maybe it diminishes turnout some??? To expand the interest in early cars, perhaps pre WWII should be free entry. Right now it’s pre 1920. Das Awkscht Fescht is 4 miles from where I live and it’s convenient.

There was plenty to like and I had lots of fun. It just doesn’t seem like what it once was, pre Covid. The park is beautiful, and there was some shade. But, if one can a better turnout if it was a cooler time of year, it seems that could be beneficial.

I was at this show today. A few random thoughts. It just hasn’t been as good since Covid ruined everything. Having said that, still a decent number of pre WWII automobiles. There seemed to be enough Overlands present such that it could almost have been the featured automobile. I met a 15-ish year old lad admiring an Overland with an above average knowledge base relative to Overlands and pre WWII cars. That’s great for the hobby. Others in this thread complained about the heat. So did my wife. Why isn’t this show in May or October? The flea market was basically defunct. I haven’t been to any other shows so is Covid the problem and has it changed everything? I thought the 50’s and 60’s cars were less than usual. I didn’t see any 1959 Cadillacs, including the hot pink one that is usually there. Attendance was on the light side. Anyone know how many automobiles actually showed up today?

It couldn’t have been a Buick as the emblem had wings.

I am truly amazed, if this is you, my hat is off to you! Spotted today a bit after 11 am, southbound on Route 209 outside Milford, Pennsylvania. I thought a 1929 Model A Ford was coming in my direction, but the radiator was too squared off and the emblem had wings but I couldn’t catch what it was because I was shocked to see it was pulling a small rounded caravan!!!! My hat is off to you, Sir! Did anyone else spot this? Presumably this was a 4 cylinder 40 horsepower engine pulling this, but could it actually pull this? Maybe it was or had to be an 8 cylinder. I don’t think the car was big enough to be a 12 cylinder, as, like I said, it appeared to be a Model A Ford at first. I wish I had many photographs of this remarkable sighting, but I don’t.

And another photograph.

This show is only a few miles from where I live. Here’s a 1959 Cadillac that was there. I should have also taken photographs of the one that is there every year that is painted in pink.