lump

As a person who has written, edited, and compiled several automotive-related books as well as several years worth of car magazines myself, I do understand. I'm not trying to prod...just very interested in the fascinating information such a book would offer. Best wishes. -----Jim W

The "sedan-vs-hardtop" situation can be a plus or a minus, depending on the taste of the buyer. Personally, I definitely prefer the hardtop, with it's shorter roof and longer trunk look. And most casual onlookers will not be aware of production figure differences. But more importantly to you, perhaps, is the fact that rarity of a model or body style means much less on a modified car than on a restored car. I haven't bought too many muscle cars lately, but I sold my LS6 Chevelle project car two years ago. This price seems too much for this car, in MY opinion. Either way, I hope you'll be happy and satisfied with whatever decision you make.

Here in Ohio they have cancelled all emission testing, except in a few key metropolitan areas.

Terry, how about an update? I am fascinated by the prospect of a book like this, written by someone like you. It would look great on my Christmas gift-ideas list! Sure hope you have decided to go ahead with this cool project.

I've respectfully waited well over a year before bumping this back to the top. I really, really want to figure what book or website I found this ornament in years ago. Kindly read my original post for details. Thanks again for allowing me to continue trying to solve this mystery.

Bumped to see if any new ideas might exist?

It may very well be a 110volt horn. Check to see if it is marked for voltage anywhere.

wow! Several amazing stories already. I love it!

I would love to cut a section of that hood out, with the emblems intact, and hang that on my shop wall!

Interestingly, the "backdrop" being held up is directly behind the rear seat in each of the photos. I suspect that they were trying to show the seat option...or perhaps advertise upholstery services? (I've had to hold up backdrops behind clients' products before for professional photo sessions).

PM sent

Possibly aftermarket. Looks like an attempt to look similar to Cadillac shield emblem. Just my guess.

As usual, 55er is spot on. 1969 Dodge Charger.

Another post about a photo of an antique car with a water tank instead of a radiator reminds me of a trip I made to Hershey several decades ago. Rather than hijack that thread, I've started a new one for all of us to tell our stories of "emergency repairs" we've had to make along the road (the crazier, the better!) I was a young aspiring vendor at the time, and had acquired a huge amount of very heavy steel and iron vintage car parts to sell. So I rented the biggest U-Haul trailer on their lot and loaded it to the rafters. As I had no truck, I put a trailer hitch on my daily driver, (a 1976 Cutlass Supreme). The load was really heavy, but I was young and just tried to drive carefully. All went well until I reached the mountains of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. That Cutlass overheated every time we climbed one of those huge, long hills. You could watch the temperature gauge racing to the redline every time. After letting it cool down after about the 2nd time, I got off at an exit, and stopped at an auto parts store. I bought a whole roll of windshield wiper hose. Then I disconnected my factory windshield washer hoses and connected long pieces of my new hose to the washer pump. I zip tied two hoses at various points to reach the front of the car and ended both hoses directly in front of the radiator. Then I filled a large, discarded plastic jug I found with water, and wedged it under the hood near the battery. I rerouted the pickup hose from the washer pump into this new larger "reservoir," and hit the road. When we started up the next long uphill grade, I waited until the temperature gauge started moving pretty quickly, and then hit the wiper switch. Instantly a cloud of steam passed under our car, and the gauge began falling rapidly. I prayed that the distributor wouldn't get wet and foul out, but the car ran fine. The steam cloud seemed to cause a bit of panic among other drivers, and one of them shouted out his window to me that my car was on fire! Then at every exit or rest area I got out and refilled my new reservoir. I could climb two small hills or one long mountain per water fillup. My wife was embarrassed, but also slightly impressed. When we got to Hershey, I made a point of discounting all the heavy stuff! So, what kind of road-side "hacks" have you had to do to keep rolling down the road? (I love true stories like this!)

I need to start watching his shows. I loved this one. 1st one I ever saw. Wishing Jay Leno a full and speedy recovery!

Like CHuDWah, my "feathers" weren't ruffled. But when I saw the question, "... if latter is supposed to represent former and there are that many discrepancies, are they REALLY even a same car ? Does anyone have reasonably good documentation of the car's history?" I took those to be genuine questions. And since I enjoyed personal direct communication with the owner/builder of the car, it seemed like the right thing to do to share that with fellow members on this forum. Thus, yes, there is adequate documentation of the car's history. And yes, it is REALLY the same car. I truly enjoyed asking Pete about this car and found his stories about it fascinating. I thought perhaps others might, as well.

In this case, you have to remember that the guy who built it is the guy who "authenticated" it, repeatedly. And do keep in mind that, as I mentioned above, the car did sustain numerous scratches, dings, and etc by the time the movie was finished with it. And it remained Pete's car for quite a long time. Pete did not then put the car away, carefully documenting every facet of it and refusing to change anything. He used and drove the car a great deal. And like most rodders/customizers/builders, etc, I'm sure he was constantly upgrading the car. Pete was a real rod builder, who went on to build LOTS of hot rods, and to sell many tons of custom parts for other builders all over the world. It's easy to assume that he probably tried many different things on this '34. But he was the guy who secured it later and put it in the showroom at Pete n Jakes Rod Shop.

I served on the SEMA Board of Directors with Pete Chappouris, who built and owned this car during the filming of "THE CALIFORNIA KID." He told me that he was paid nearly nothing for the car being used in the film, and that it got dinged and scratched and filthy during the action scenes. This is the real car, built by the real guy, and used in the real film. Pete later sold "Pete n Jake's" hot rod shop, and then became the owner of SoCal Street Rods (originally owned by Alex Xydias). Both men were in the SEMA Hall of Fame during my time there, and I considered them both to be good friends of mine. Pete seemed much younger than his actual years, but we lost him a few years ago. Rest in peace, old friend.

I'm definitely no engineer. But it looks to me that, if those four small inner wheels are indeed touching, then each one would have to rotate in the opposite direction, right? But if that is true, then how could they drive the outer wheel in any direction? Maybe two of the small wheels at a time were intended to be moved in or out to be thus disengaged, and that would determine which direction the outer wheel would turn? Ok, I'm stumped.

Absolutely awesome, KFLE! Very impressive! I too have a scripted jack for my brand of antique car (although I suspect it is for an earlier model than mine). But I don't have any vintage photos of it like that! I've posted photos of this jack on the AACA forums before. Hope no one minds seeing it again?

That sure looks like the same design. Thanks, Ed. However, this one has "1 Ton" cast into the leg.

So, I assume that using a top-quality body-filler to patch that piston, and then filing new ring grooves wouldn't work in this case? Have you considered making a new piston out of some top quality hardwood?

Yes, indeed that cover plate looks like it could easily be swapped for another.

You're right, Jorge. That ad with the poker card image does show this exact jack, at the right side of the ad. So "Barrett" is the model of this jack, made by the Duff Mfg Co. Thanks!

My wife and I operate 9 events each year, as a means of keeping ourselves fed. We're busy when the events get started, but sometimes I find a moment or two to shop. I expect to find interesting automotive goodies at our CARS & PARTS SWAP MEET events, but not often at our Trade Days shows...which are kinda like huge old flea markets from yesteryear. But this past September I found an interesting car item at our Lucasville Trade Days. It is an old 1-ton mechanical jack, with raised letters reading, "PIERCE ARROW." Cool, huh? I was really happy to find it. Of course I have no idea if it was part of an automotive tool kit, or perhaps an over-the-counter accessory intended for any brand of vehicle? Indeed, perhaps it was even for a buggy or some kind of bicycle-thingy? It's marked "1 Ton" and "No 09" just above the foot, and "Barrett" on the handle. The side reads, "The Duff Mfg co Pittsburg PA." At its lowest unjacked height it is roughly 10.5" and at its highest is roughly 15.5" tall. Not much range, which makes me wonder if perhaps it may indeed have been a tool kit jack intended for a very specific vehicle? I'm looking forward to any insights from folks who know Pierce Arrow vehicles, like Alsancle, Edinmass, and others? Please guys, tell me what I have found here! Thanks so much in advance!