Frantz

I think they track your IP and after your read too many they start asking you to subscribe.

Prayers for you and hope for a speedy recovery! Time is something none of us get back but we always have the chance to make the most of today. If you don't have a copy of the owners manual start there. Let her read that as though she's buying the car for the first time new. The old manuals have so much more in them rather than just feature use. You could add notes to the manual and make your own treasure of information for her. And of course, enjoy the time motoring!

Have you ever looked at the list of original AACA members and their cars? Several of the founding autos were NOT 25 years old at the time. But the difference in 25 year old cars then and 25 year old cars today is huge. I like the oxford definition you posted, but might add "quaintness or nostalgia". Soon cars that can't drive themselves will be antiques!

Collectible yes, valuable no. And that's a good thing! Low cost and interest is sorta what drove the car hobby in the first place.

I think it'll open up some cars to hot rodding again. No EPA restrictions to worry about. That in turn could help increase interest in old cars as a whole and hopefully historic value in old cars too. I started out in the old car field caring much more about performance than history myself. As for fuel costs... you can make something that will burn for less than $150! though a few permits might be needed to do it legally. There will be a market solution of some sort!

There isn't a huge value to them. I'm so sorry for the loss to you and your family but honestly there are probably far more valuable uses of your time than trying to identify lots of hubcaps. If anything, I'd see if you find any very nice ones (dirty is fine, but no dents, no missing/faded paint, no scratches), and older is more likely to be rare and potentially fetch a higher dollar amount. If you see a few you like, keep em to remind you of your dad.

There are lots of ways to look for such things, the challenge will be to differentiate it from what is on the car from the factory in many cases! Lots of sweepers are available, just determine what band you're looking for and go shopping on amazon. Older cars will have less "noise" to filter out.

I'll never forget the time my friend let me drive his 1993 Viper with less than 10,000 miles. He let me have some fun with it, which I did... but at some point I realized it only had 10,000 miles on it. When I got back I looked at the tires... sadly they were originals with the old 3 digit date code, and this occurred within the past 5 years.

I've never worked at a dealer that installs those but we come across them sometimes on trade ins back when I worked at Ford/Kia. I don't really care if I'm tracked personally... hence I use a cell phone. Going off the grid takes too much work.

So lots of good thoughts... but what do you think caused us to get away from this in the first place? A 1920 Chevy 4 door was closer to an SUV than a car.

As I said, I work at a Volvo dealer. We have two different station wagons... I sell one every few months. Even folks who drive both go for the SUV.

I'm a car guy, I hate SUVs compared to cars personally. However, I make a living at a Volvo dealership and SUVs are literally my bread and butter. I can't help but notice that early cars were really SUVs. Look at anything up until the 1930s and they were high upright sitting vehicles. So it seems the functional trend is towards SUVs but the market acts as thought it's an evolution of the car.... but really it's a regression. I never have heard this mentioned, though I'm sure I'm not the first to see it (especially some of you custodians of older machines). What do you think caused the trend towards driving over comfort and now back towards comfort? On a quick ponder for myself I think once we reached the reasonable on road driving capabilities we were able to make SUVs as performance oriented as your average driver was going to push their vehicle. But at first, a lower car meant far better handling and the performance was significantly improved to overtake utility and comfort as a prime motivator. But what made cars like Hudsons "step down" comfortable to people then but now folks feel more comfortable sliding right into a small crossover compared to sitting down in a sedan? Is it that sedans simply got TOO low and small? No modern sedans sit quite like my '54 Ford does. IDK, could make for an interesting conversation so I bring it before you all!

Yeah, springs are pretty darn cheap. I do have a few of the trays for lining everything up as I know things wear together. I'm not in a rush. Trying to save money, but also trying to learn the process. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Not sure yet, haven't tore into that that to check condition. If they are okay then I plan to.

Spring tester I had picked up awhile back No stop, just a pressure gauge. Given the range it's perhaps not precise enough for the job.. and time to buy another tool! Specs come for the factory service manual, but it's the first time I've ever looked at such specs so IDK what normal is for motors!

The service manual says to check the springs at 1.821" which is awful precise... but then allows a 10% loss for serviceability and a range of 54-62# =-D I have one of the vice pressure testers... do I just get close to 1.821" and see if I'm in spec? Again, just a service rebuild, not going for major performance gains.

I bought an old Sioux valve grinder today with a seat resurfacer too. I am pulling the motor. This one had way too much gunk and when I cleaned up the carbon the ridges were more than I had thought... and 54 Ford engines are really pretty painted. I just want to do as much of the work myself as I can.

So thanks again! I'll need a little more work than I wanted but better to know than assume 🙂

Looks like one to me. My '54 has that style "star".

Were you the fellow walking around Hershey with Maxwell parts wanted sign? If not then at least you're not alone in that regard! I'd bet Maxwell is slightly easier than some of the orphan makes. Technically they survived but I think I'd rather have a Good Maxwell (okay that was a little later) than a modern Chrysler!

Also is there a CJE offered at Grand Nationals?

So assuming I do have the field points to go, would I have to get to the event for Friday's judging school if I had already attended a regular judging school earlier in the same year? I know it's a slightly different slide show, but is it required to judge the Grand Nationals? Those of us who work and only have so many days vacation have to try and sort these things out.

Depends of course on how specialized we're talking. Clubs are the go to for me. I don't have lots of disposable income, but I don't mind paying to support several clubs I value. If you have the part you can consider getting them remade. Knowing how to ID your part is huge too. Many folks find parts and sell them without knowing what they are. I needed a one year only exhaust manifold for my '54 Ford and found rough ones on ebay for $150. I went through pile after pile at Carlisle and found the right casting number in good shape and the guy had no clue what it was, and said $10. He didn't have to load it back up and I got rewarded for my time, and enjoyed the search.

When I sold Fords they often had the financing deal. If asked I'd just tell folks "it helps us out if you make your first three payments"... I don't think anyone ever "shorted" me on that. I'd get calls once in a while making sure it was okay to switch, but I often wondered how many folks stuck with the higher rate and never bothered to switch. Really that answer is even too honest. Ford didn't want folks knowing they could switch because they are the ones who really miss out on the money in the long run. Lots of interesting ways to advertise and put deals together. Lots of different state laws that make it very confusing for customers who think it's worth traveling out of state for a better deal, never to know that it's not always (or even often) the case. The assumption is all dealers lie, but the reality with that outlook is you end up buying from whoever lies the best and prove your idea right to yourself.

Nice to meet you at the show btw!