lump

Pkhammer...as an addendum... My wife and I were about to leave for a short trip from Ohio to Massachusetts, but she has been experiencing sinus-related discomfort this week. Symptoms no more serious than what she often experiences in our Ohio winter seasons, but in an abundance of caution we took her for rapid testing for Covid. And, you guessed it, she tested positive. So the trip is off, and we're now quarantined for the next 5 days. Cheers.

Ouch! Very sorry to learn of this. Praying for your full and speedy recovery!

Beautiful car, and wonderful end-story. Congratulations, Pkhammer. I look forward to learning of your progress in getting it back on the road.

My input here: First, many, MANY folks who have vintage collectible items for sale are prone to having some "personality quirks." Some of the greatest finds, and greatest bargains I have ever experienced came from sellers who were quite...er, unusual. 🤪 But if I had only ever pursued cars or other vintage items from sellers who were organized, friendly, accommodating, nearby, and happy to engage in answering questions, I would have missed out on many wonderful treasures. Second, everywhere on Craigslist, Marketplace, etc, you see sellers complaining about time-wasters. It's a common problem, and I personally know several people who simply will not offer things for sale because they have unhappy experiences with some obnoxious buyers. (My brother in law brings me automotive items, and lets me keep half the sale price, rather than list them himself). Some people are simply not good when discussing a sales transaction with strangers. (I have been guilty myself, after talking to several turkeys in a row, of being perhaps a bit too abrupt with the next potential buyer. For example, the muscle car world is FILLED with folks who think they know WAY more than they actually do about things like, "matching numbers"). Third, we all see situations differently, and have different preferences and comfort zones. If we don't like the way a particular seller operates, we naturally steer away. That's as it should be, and PKHammer was exactly right to pass on that Model A. But in truth, there is little point in griping about each others' styles, and we won't change anyone. Finally (and related to my above third point), we all have different outlooks on shopping for old cars or other "treasures." For me personally, the idea of jumping in my truck with some cash in my pocket and a trailer in tow is a joyful adventure, with the chance of securing a wonderful treasure, or at least enjoying a drive. My wife likes to go along, and we eat in interesting restaurants, shop at flea markets or antique shops, and see sights from other areas. Heck, I even jump at the chance to go along with friends when they go to look at some cool old collectible item for sale, knowing many such trips are mere pursuits of non-domestic geese. Yet to other folks, trips like that are arduous journeys which must be endured.

Mr Reed, cudo's to you for the work you are doing on this fine old Buick 8! I truly love to see young people enjoying this hobby. I have one suggestion for you, since you are working on your engine: While you have that fuel pump removed, have a close look at both diaphrams. If they are made of a laminated material, you will likely notice slight separation of material layers. In that case, go ahead and get that fuel pump rebuilt now. Modern neoprene diaphragms are much more reliable, and now is the time to install them. Indeed, even N.O.S. in-the-box fuel pumps with old-style laminated diaphragms will often fail a short time after being installed and driven. Those old laminated diaphragms worked well in their day, but did not age well, and I'm sure that today's fuels don't help that situation. Good luck. I'm enjoying following your progress.

I was there a few times years ago, when Terry Ehrich still ran HMN. Along with other industry professionals, I was invited to their "Advertiser's Conference" each year. They got out their car collection and allowed a few of us to drive them around the area for a couple hours. Very cool. Maybe I'll make another thread about those experiences later.

Aside from all the comedy attempts... I, too, saw this on Facebook today, and wondered if it was indeed originally a convertible. Also, this photo angle makes it unclear to me whether it has the shorter hood I've seen on photos of 38 Chrysler Royal convertibles, or the longer hood seen on Imperial convertibles. I'm curious what it once was, and if anyone knows the backstory behind the photo?

I have derived a great deal of enjoyment over several decades of participation in AACA. More recently I have been delighted to spend entirely too much time here on the AACA forums. There are so many very-wise craftsmen who willingly share their expertise and experience, and so many other aficionados like me, who share their interesting and sometimes hilarious old-car stories. God bless you all, and I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2022.

Dennis Long of Beavercreek, Ohio has LOTS of vacuum tanks and parts. He is a member on here too, I think, but I haven't seen him here for a while. I'll text him for permission to PM his contact info to you.

Several years ago I bought a double decker bus from Walt Disney World in Florida. It had been used at Epcot Center and Walt Disney World park for many years, hauling passengers around the park during the day, and hauling Disney characters in the nightly Main Street parades. Bought it sight-unseen (from photos only) on eBay. Had it hauled home to Ohio, and was delighted that it fired right up and ran fine (propane powered GMC 6cyl). Used it for many years at our CARS & PARTS SPRINGFIELD SWAP MEET & CAR SHOW event, hauling our attendees around the fairgrounds during our events. Also used it to promote the SEMA and ARMO program called, "Take a kid to a car show," in local parades here in Ohio. It still runs and drives, but it's been parked for a few years now. Title says it is a 1986 model, which I guess makes it technically an antique.

I recall my grandpa going to a local gas station to purchase "White Gas" for his lawnmowers, lanterns, etc. The gas station had a separate pump in the corner of the lot, for white gas. The liquid was very clear, with no goldish or orangish color to it. It did cost more than the gas which were sold in their normal pumps at the island. Reference.com lists a definition of "White Gas" as follows: White gas is the generic name for Coleman fuel or naphtha. It is a flammable gas commonly used as camp-stove and lantern fuel due to its refined purity and high heat output. White gas can also refer to pure gasoline or undyed gasoline. Mark Shaw posted a link to that page above.

Congrats. Looks great!

Back to the OP's situation: It seems to me that this theft was done for one of two goals: Either 1) to steal stuff to be used on another Model T project car, or 2), to obtain "merchandise" to sell for cash. Either way, it's gonna be REALLY difficult to recover the parts, or to see the thief convicted. IF it was done to be used on another Model T, it will be darn near impossible to prove, even if the items are found (See TAKerry's post above about the windows from a construction site). Model T Ford parts look alike, and if they're sitting in a garage next to a Model T which needs those parts, how will anyone be able to prove the parts are the stolen items? The person in possession of them will claim to have bought them. IF the intent was to gather stolen parts to sell, then they will either have to go to a swap meet (likely a hundred miles away), or be sold through the grapevine. Not likely they will be listed on Craigslist anytime soon. But again, even if found, how can anyone prove ownership? Makes me sick to think of the loss, but I don't have much confidence in recovery---- UNLESS those tires have serial numbers which were recorded and can be reflected on receipts which the victim still has, maybe?

The radiator badge certainly looks like an Adler.

Would look great in my collection. 😊

Prayers for peace and comfort for his family.

Agreed...or early 55, maybe? GMC of the same era is also possible.

I remember very well going to a nearby county fair in the 1950's, and watching a daredevil driving team doing their stunts. The cars were early 1950's models, as I recall.

Welcome, Heavy Roller. This is indeed a wonderful hobby. There are SO MANY affordable models to choose from, and MOST of us have had to "work our way up" from lesser cars to better cars throughout our lives. For example, if you found a 4-door Olds, Buick, or Pontiac sedan from the 60's or 70's in really good original condition, you could polish and detail it, and get lots of enjoyment from it at a very reasonable cost. Then one day, SOMEONE will ask if you would be willing to sell it. If you're lucky, you might get all your investment back...or even gain a little. Hopefully by then your finances will have improved (especially if your family has been enjoying the older car and will support further investments in the hobby). Then you have a better chance of "upgrading" to that convertible or 2 door hardtop you've always admired. And I'll repeat the advice that many of the very-wise and experienced car hobbyists on this forum have already said: Join AACA and some local car clubs right away. It's an excellent decision for a beginning car hobbyist.

That car is too cool! I would be so tempted to get it right mechanically, and then drive it...at least for a while. Oh, I have an idea...get a professional photographer and a professional model to create a character like "Cruella DeVille, to pose with it. (I know she drove later cars in the films, but this just makes me think of stuff like that. Awesome find. Congratulations!

I totally agree with Matt. No telling how much neglect has been at play there. For example, those open ports into the water jackets on each cylinder head would definitely appeal to all kinds of small animals, insects, scorpions, spiders, etc. You can imagine webs and acorns scattered throughout the engine. No way I would try to start it without a total dismantling and ultimately re-doing everything. It will be a fabulous car, after someone invests a massive fortune it in...along with several years of time and labor.

LOL, Steve! You got THAT right!!!

I was a tire-buster mechanic-wanna-be for years as a kid, and must have done several hundred oil changes. I always wipe a bit of oil on that gasket, and will continue to do so. Is it necessary? I don't know for sure, but I've not had a comeback for leaks, so I'll just persevere on course. When my Dad allowed me to work with him in his garage on antique or modern cars, he spent a LOT of time teaching me to get that "feel" for "tight enough," on different applications. He would have me snug something up, and then have me go a little further...until he said, "Stop!" Then he would take over the tool and test the "feel" for himself. If I didn't have it tight enough, he would back it off completely and have me try again, until I got it the way he was satisfied with. He didn't own a torque wrench, but often told me he wished he did, and that it was the right way to do things. But Dad had to make do with the tools he could afford. Today I think that specific bit of training may have been among the best things Dad ever taught me in the garage.

For a long time, I collected vintage auto mechanic-style tools, including Bog, Ray, early Snap-On (especially 9/32 and 5/8 drive), McKaig-Hatch, Par-X, Mossberg, Billings, Blackhawk, Vlchek, Walden, Stevens-Walden-Worcester, Herbrand, Cornwell, Mac, Plomb, Firestone, Proto Los Angeles, Gray, New Britain, etc, etc, etc. I spent a lot of time on Alloy Artifacts. Amazing site. If you need any old tools of that nature, let me know. I'm about to start selling all that stuff on eBay...