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Agreed, one the best. For those in and around Mich. a smaller event is the Lansing to Dearborn Endurance run (LDR), 36 cars this year. Thursday, Sept 6 we depart from Greenfield Village in Dearborn, drive 100 miles to Lansing, stay over and return Friday. Followed by the Old Car Festival. around 800 pre-1932 vehicles Saturday and Sunday at the Henry Ford Greenfield Village. Many of the cars from Minn. will be in Mi., including the '07 Darracq. pictured in the story in the link. Regards, Gary

I broke a valve cage and had to have one made. I could not get it out during an engine rebuild then I brought the cylinder to the engine shop where he soaked it in his hot tank and then tried to press it out when it broke. A friend of mine made me a new one from cast iron, fitted all of the cages with stainless steel valves he modified from a Ford diesel, cut off the old guides and pressed in new ones. That was 5 years ago and the valve job is working well. A retired machinist friend made me new brass rings ( also suggested copper would be a good replacement because it is more pliable), trued up the clamping rings by cleaning up the cutouts where they have been hammered for years and made me a tool to install the clamping rings. In the photo is the driver, three new rings and some old rings and original valves. In the second photo are the original front wheel bearings, I outfitted the axle with new seals and roller bearings for reliability but that is another story. Regards, Gary

Windsor storm forecast is down to 30's% so Bev and I plan to drive our '39 Buick to the cruise across from the Casino this afternoon. Maybe see you there. This will be our first trip away from home and to Windsor where our car came from. I feel good about the condition of the Century, wish us bon chance. Gary

I'm with Leif I do not think heat from the torch will damage the glass emblem. I've unsoldered a few of them without issue. Using modern adhesives I would glue the emblem back on after painting the backing plate. Good luck, Gary

As many people know I am restoring a c25 McLaughlin and recently paid $3,000 for nickel plating. I could have painted many of the parts black and it would have looked fine, such as the gear shift lever and steering parts. The nickel however is the correct finish for this auto and it looks beautiful. It is a fairly plain looking car and the brightwork will give it curb appeal. Just a one time purchase. Larry, in this era the rad shells were painted so dodged that bullet and no bumpers. Matt, I am with you. Regards, Gary

The second title on the movie marque is for a British film, Genevieve. Set during the 1953 London to Brighton run, it is a must see for early car enthusiasts. Hilarious lines such as "Ambrose only cares about that silly old car and the other thing." Wendy asks " What is the other thing? Oh....Alan only cares about the car" Car racing, romantic comedy and the olde English countryside spells a hit for petrol heads. I know a fellow who named his kids for the main characters of Genevieve, Alan and Wendy. Regards, Gary

Here's the start of my job. Doubt it will be good enough as a final job but it will get the car mobile and let me practice to router a pocket for the spokes and wood filler piece. Then I will get a reproduction wooden rim likely from the Ford parts suppliers. The rim I received with the car was a write off. The work on your wheel does you proud. Regards, Gary

Thanks Hugh; I bought an old Chevy wheel which has the similar issues for my 1915 McLaughlin project and I am beginning the adapting and refinishing today. Regards, Gary

Hey Doug; Sorry I missed you last Saturday. Bev and I arrived late, and parted before the trophies were presented. We watched the cardboard boat races and hung out with the firetrucks when we were away from the car. Essex is our next event, maybe the Windsor cruise Friday night. Thanks, Gary

My wife and I attended a local car show Saturday with our 1913 Buick. I generally use these shows to provide fun for the public mixed with education. Many questions such as what is the top speed of our car, don't know I have never tried to reach top speed, 35 MPH is a good speed to travel. An English bird said she used to crank start her father's car so she was offered a chance to relive her youth by cranking this one, she demurred. I, on the other hand, started the engine with the crank at least six times during the day which delighted onlookers. What is the tank on the running board for, acetylene gas to light the headlamps with a match. Much fun for them and good for us too. A lady came by and wanted a photo of her kids with our car. The first photo is the one she would have received and then I invited the kids to sit in the front seat. I hope she will treasure the day she took her kids to a car show. We won a 24" trophy for Chairman' Choice, a good day was had by all. Also it was a test run for a meet we are registered for in Michigan after Labour Day. Regards, Gary

Please do not believe I disparage the high end of car collecting. I live in the city where RM Restorations has it's head office so I am used to seeing beautiful cars even on my street. My cars however are not that but touring autos, I spend my cash on fitting modern bearings to both axles to make the car more reliable rather than perfect skirts. As an example this Bugatti 35J was spotted at a local restaurant, RM shop manager giving it a road test and stopped for lunch. The Bugatti Royale belongs to the Henry Ford, a gift from a past GM President. Regards, Gary

Doug, Great to hear of your aunt and mom, my mom is 96 years old and living in a nursing home, dad passed at 95. Firetrucks are a.hotbed in CK, I can think of 3 major collections including the fellow driving in your photo. Imagine, a guy with 30 Seagraves, another with a new building so large he can park 3 firetrucks end to end with 14 doors giving him 7 drive through lanes. The fellow driving in your picture has a disused factory for his stuff. Frankenmuth, Mi, last Saturday, is the largest fire show in this part of the country. Presently, I have a job refinishing a wooden ladder for a '17 Ford truck for Classic Coachworks. Best of luck with your repair, Gary

Here is an interesting item which has no solution I can think of. I am restoring a 1915 car and I use a local well known restoration company which I also work for part time, Friday, I bought in my fenders for some small repair and sandblasting before priming and painting. The skirts below the top of the front fender are not even in height, they wave up and down just a few millimeters but definitely noticeable. If it was a concours restoration the original shoddy workmanship would be cut out and fixed. If I was up for an award with the AACA against another properly restored car I would come out second best. We left the skirts as is because it is cheaper and we felt it was the correct thing to do, I don't expect to be invited to a concours and will be happy with a Junior award. When sitting on the showroom floor the cars were not great. Regards, Gary

Doug; Thanks, sounds like a good plan to see the swap meet Friday and visit Wambo Saturday. I have friends with firetrucks who go to Wallaceburg, won best of show there with my '13 Buick the only time I attended a few years ago. Good luck with your fuel tank, few shops do that kind of work anymore, Siefker's (sp) in Essex? Gary

Next car show, do you attend Bothwell? If so we could join up at my house downtown Charing Cross or I could meet you along the way. I plan to drive our '39 Buick. It is a one day show much like Essex but larger with a swap meet, $10.00 collected at the gate. Regards, Gary

Eaton Springs in Detroit, Mi manufactured springs for my 1915 car from specs they had. They advertise on this site, you should talk with them. Best of luck, Gary

Hello Bob; My wife and I enjoyed the Vintage Tour last summer and are looking forward to Kingston next year. I had my 1913 Buick judged at Auburn, even though the car had issues I received my Second Junior and was pleased with the result. I thought I registered for the Driver's category and could have changed but was talked into staying put. Actually why I went to judging was to obtain my Century Club plaque which I mounted and people think it is pretty special . I am presently restoring a 1915 McLaughlin, though it too is for touring, I will have the car judged and would be happy with a First Junior and Century Club award. I know Concours is not for me or the Great Race either. Best regards, Gary

For my 1915 McLaughlin I cleaned the four fenders with Spray 9 getting them ready for sandblasting tomorrow. A local company who mainly works for factories dipped, stripped and coated them with a dense, water soluble oil two years ago. A sandblaster has to clean the edges and any surface corrosion, giving me a good surface to metal finish and adhere my epoxy primer. Then paint with single stage black. I'd like to have the project ready for driving and showing in September except the new top and side curtains which will be done in the winter. If all goes well I plan to have the car judged for a Junior at Auburn in the spring. Been an interesting job, thanks, Gary

If possible I would buy the wooden rim from the steering wheel for my '15 c 25 project or any 17 inch OD smooth ( no finger grips) wood rim I could adapt. From the photos everything looks worn. I, too, live about an hour from Dearborn Heights. Regards, Gary

If you are like me when I get a new toy I stay close to home until I get comfortable with the sound, smell and feel of the experience. This summer I have been using our 1939 Century with our local car club and ice cream runs, etc. Today went to breakfast in the town down the road with some friends and took the '39, my first time with passengers, 28 miles round trip. Thursday we are taking the car for a day trip to a Canadian National Park followed by a cruise night at a Museum, should be well over a hundred miles. Wish us luck, Gary BTW I am reviving this thread because I like it. My friends pictured below, keep smiling.

Andrew; Congrats for purchasing the Model 31, it is beautiful and a correct looking car. In my opinion this Buick is the best of the mid sized cars of this era though I may be prejudiced since I have one as well. Apart from the total loss oil system the engineering is sound, nothing very odd. You have the acetylene starter still intact, very nice. What carburetor are you using? I am have some success with the Schebler Model O. Also with the center mount of the speedometer head does it not make for tight bends in the cable? All the best, we are attending the Old Car Fest perhaps we will see you there? Gary

I received the final lot of nickel plating which has allowed me to finish my 1915 McLaughlin dashboard. I draw your attention to the brass name plate from the manufacturer, along the bottom it says to check the battery water every ten days. Ten days, how does an owner keep track of that, carry a calendar and write it down? The McLaughlin plate has stayed with the car for a hundred years and is in pristine condition, has to be a miracle. I think it is a neat detail. Regards, Gary

Steers and stops straight, clean Ontario title, built in Flint Mi, proper black matches cowl tag. Older repaint and nicely reupholstered, shows well, pre war touring car. I've replaced the wiring harness and repaired cracks in the steering wheel. The bad, the car needs running board mats and has sealed beams, radio and clock non functioning, the good, has side mounts, fender lamps, decent chrome, 320 engine and 6V. I bought the Buick 1 1/2 years ago and have driven it trouble free 200 miles. I am more interested in the pre '16 cars so this car, though fine, may not be the correct fit for me. 16,500 USD located in Chatham, On about an hour east of Detroit. 519 three five two 8063 Gary

Eighth day of the current heat and humidity wave but when a task needs doing I answer. A fellow car enthusiast passed away and his family asked for old cars to attend the funeral procession today. He and his wife were familiar tourists in Southern Ontario and were often seen in their shoebox Ford convertible. That is their car in the background of my photo with my 1939 Buick sedan at the funeral home. His widow, Judy. was my fifth grade teacher. I'm not kidding, honest, it was her first year of teaching and my first year of being in grade five. Buick performed well, hot but satisfied. Gary

Here's mine. 1915 McLaughlin showing oil sight gauge, ignition and light switch, with a speedometer. The empty holes are for the choke or strangler cable and dash lamp yet to be installed. Btw it is a painted board. Regards, Gary