akroemer

The NAPA unit reportedly available in Canada, is NLA. They have the same unit here, but strictly 12 volt. This is unfortunate as it is exactly what I have been trying to locate. Hard to believe, especially with the ready availability of lithium ion batteries with dense storage capabilities.

The folks at Classics & Exotics in Troy, MI rebuilt the transmission and had the gears cut.

Layout is very similar, but they are different. Other than some insignificant parts (like the drain plug) none of the CG p/ns are the same as the CD.

We have what I consider a reasonable price to make both gears, so absent finding replacements, I'll go that way. Joe Morgan and others more knowledgeable than I am have told me the amount of machining and modifications required to fit the 3 speed makes that an uneconomical retrofit.

Yes. I pretty well ran the traps on the usual suspects for CG-CH-CL series cars.

I need the 2nd--R sliding gear and a cluster gear for a 1931 CG. It is a one year only 4 speed. The CH and CL are 3 speed. Any leads would be appreciated. Al Kroemer

In addition to RROC, you should join at least 2 societies within RROC, The Phantom III Society and Goshawk. Both cover the pre-war Wraith. You should also join the British club--the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club. These are, as noted by others, very rare cars and many parts are NLA at any price. Good luck as they are, as are most RRs, fine motoring cars. Al

I don't think you can go wrong using the oil sold by the Indiana Region of CCCA. It is specially formulated for our classics, so it doesn't need any additives. And it clings to the side of the cylinders, etc. for years, giving much better protection for the long term than modern oils. Al Kroemer

Thanks, for all the replies. It is indeed a 2 BBL model DD. I will certainly not undertake to do anything to it myself. I had not realized how complicated this was going to be. I am sure it has not been touched in many years and while it seems to be functioning fine, since I pulled the manifolds to have them re-coated I thought I'd rebuild the carb while it is off the car. But given what I am seeing here, I think I'll follow the adage that if it ain't broke don't fix it. Al

Dave, clearly you have paid your dues, so to speak, both at the national and regional level, which is why it is disappointing to see your comments regarding the board doing little about the membership challenges beyond offering a lot of excess for doing nothing. That directly ties into your comments regarding what the club spends its money on, implying it is somehow being wasted or spent profligately. I must respectfully disagree. During my time on the board we engaged in a number of membership initiatives, most of which required a financial investment. We (actually, Jay Quail) put together the club-in-a-box for regions to use at regional events such as car shows and concours. I have personally seen those used by the regions to promote the club and solicit new members from coast-to-coast. We invested heavily (and continue to do so) in a web site that is constantly up dated to reach the entire car collector universe to entice visitors to join. We have a real social media presence, again thanks to Jay Quail. We conducted a membership campaign that had, as its primary prize for the person who sponsored the most new members a tour of the Big Dog Garage and Randy Ema's (thanks to then board member Jerry Steelman). We have had a major presence at the Chicago Auto Show for several years-again to raise our profile. These are just a few of the things our board did to address the issues you raise. During my tenure we spent a lot of money on items unrelated to publications. This includes the necessary technology, primarily software, to handle membership and finances. We pay rent now, though I guess the club could terminate the lease and move back the offices on the flood plain--which suffer from a flood regularly. Though I would point out the current board had nothing to do with that investment decision. To suggest any of this is wasteful is contradicted by the facts. We now have an under-paid executive director. I guess the board could terminate him and just hope the club runs on autopilot. I guess it is human nature to think things were better "back in the day." I agree with you the club's image could be better. But I can assure you that has little to nothing to do with what the board has done our the last 10 years or so. It is the result of a carefully developed image over several decades of an insular--almost closed--fraternity of wealthy white males. The club did everything it could to actively discourage non-members from even attending our GCs, and the result could have been predicted. It takes time to dispel this myth--and that is what it is today--a myth. We are still viewed by the hobby as hopelessly stuck in the past. Much of the motivation for the initiatives described above were motivated by the need to overcome these perceptions. This board didn't create them. With respect to your comment regarding know how the club can overcome its image issue, I can tell you that am sure the board would be delighted to hear your suggestions when in meets in 3 weeks at the annual meeting in Savannah. I look forward to see ing you there. Al

I would like to rebuild the Stromberg D3 on my '31 Imperial CG. I would appreciate any suggestions on where to find the kit and any rebuilding instructions. Thanks. Al

Dave, the club does not put its members' money into European (or any other) CARavans. CARavans, whether one sponsored by national, such as the Cross-Country CARavan of the one in Eurpoe, or those put on by the regions, are self-sustaining. They are paid for solely and exclusively by the participants. The club has limited financial resources which the board works hard to be sure are used in the most cost-effective manner. Publications costs (including the costs of our editors) are our largest single expense--by far. I can assure you that if the board had more money available to increase the content of the publications it would do so in a heartbeat. CCCA never has had and never will have the membership base of an AACA. It is dependent on members to vast majority of the work necessary to make this a successful organization--as it has been for the last 63 years. With respect to your comment that the "the club at the top needs to think about better events," I can only respond by asking what you have done to pass along ideas for such events, much less what you may have done to help put one on. This is a topic of discussion at numerous board meetings and at every annual meeting I have attended in the last 20 years. Different regions have a wide range of activities. If you aren't attending it is not because they are not available at a reasonable cost. But I see no reason to apologize for having events which are also more expensive and which cater to the more well to do members of the club. After all, these are cars that were more at home in front of the Breakers or the Ritz-Carlton than the Motel Six and Burger King. It is easy to criticize 15 people who spend hundreds of hours and many thousands of dollars of their own money every attending meetings and working for the benefit of the members. But specific constructive suggestions and volunteering to do some of the work are always going to be well received. Al

I've heard this refrain for almost as long as I've been in the club--to the point it is beyond tiresome. I cannot imagine anyone from Sparta, MO complaining about the cost of events. There have been two CARavans, an Annual Meeting (not counting the one in Cincinnati) and a terrific Grand Classic in your back door in the last few years. All were extremely reasonably priced--I know because I was at every one of them. If you think you can put on an event at a more reasonable cost, volunteer to coordinate one! I'm sure the Spirit of Saint Louis Region would be happy to have you do so. As much as anyone, when I was on the national board I promoted the need for reasonable priced events--and we had many. But we also had some that involved more luxurious accommodations. You can't stay at The Breakers for $100 a night. But you could stay at the Hilton (where we had the Annual Meeting here in the Dallas area a couple of years ago) for $119 a night. And if you think you can get a decent convention hotel for less, I invite you to try. I think the activities fee for the Florida CARavan this year was $650 per person and hotels were around $150. If this is too much then this club probably isn't your cup of tea. I know this sounds sharp, but it is a disservice to the many volunteers who work hard to put on our events at a reasonable cost to allow these uncalled for criticisms to pass uncommented. Al

I may be wrong but my recollection is that Stone Barn restored this car for David.

Thanks. Good information.