Leif in Calif

I have seen a lot of these for sale lately. I'm sure they are fun! Where they fit into our hobby is a question without a clear answer... "replicars" (for lack of a better name) can really vary. In my mind the spectrum runs from the Series One Excalibur (the work of a noted Industrial Designer Brooks Stevens) to the '29 Mercedes VW kit cars that bear zero resemblance to what they claim to be. What about a nice Clenet? Not my cup of tea, but this one sold for $70K on BaT last year.

I think the A/C makes this a very interesting car and I'd like to know more about the early history of automotive A/C. The A/C shop down the street is not going to be able to get the system going again, but I bet there are those who could. I wonder what the original working medium was... Ammonia was one of the earliest, and it is still used in some large commercial systems.

We look forward to a full report!

I always thought Snipe was an odd bird to name a car after...its a small and pretty unremarkable shore bird. On the other hand I remember Sterling Moss talking about driving a Super Snipe in the '50s.

the ad says it was listed a year ago!

Lots of work done....is the interior correct? Are the pictures 12 years ago? https://santamaria.craigslist.org/cto/d/santa-maria-1949-mercury/7742834217.html 1949 Mercury. All redone. Flathead motor, new interior, new 3 speed w/overdrive, new white wall tires, new 12 volt system, new gas tank with sending unit, new carburator , new generator and starter, some new glass, new window rubber, new trunk floor, new battery, all new filters, new complete brake job, licensed, insured and registered in Ca. I drive it around all the time, Delivery maybe for a price (805) 698-8685

The one posed yesterday seems a much better deal, but this one does have the original drive train. https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/petaluma-1954-ford-skyliner/7742824972.html True barn find! The 1954 Ford seems complete; it has a clear plexiglass top, an innovation at the time. It is a two-door, two-tone (black and white) with white vinyl seat covers. Original 239 "y block" engine. The car may not run but has been sitting for at least ten years. It has a radiator, which has been removed but is now in the trunk. The hood has also been removed, and one new hinge may be needed. The car is believed to have original paint throughout the exterior! It was originally from the East Bay. It has a new interior and hood area wiring harness. I have ridden in this car, a comfortable, mid-fifties cruiser. We MIGHT have an additional 1977 Ford 302 V8 to go with it to the right buyer. email: 899b760ef8723a538ebe0e1334bba92c@sale.craigslist.org

That's interesting! I believe California began vehicle license and registration in 1916, so the seller might be right on the title, but there would be registration from at least the 20's and 30's. As previously discussed, California isn't awful when it comes to straightening things like this out.

This car is an interesting study of "Worth" and why it brakes down on a truly "rare" car. The problem is that not only are these cars very rare, so are their followers when you get to the level of this car. Maybe at some point the owner of this car will decide to let it go for a seemingly low number to "a good home", or maybe it will come up at auction again and two large egos will battle it to the stratosphere. Worth is a pretty squishy concept, and in the end is just a collection of data points on different dates.

Totally True! and the Street Rod crowd seems much better funded than those interested in HPOF!

Sounds like a heck of a deal...glad it's far from me!

I'm not sure of much! There is quite a bit of stainless other places on the car, and these widow surrounds aren't magnetic. Those blotches in the photo of the dirty piece turned out to paint.

Great to see! I guess it's considered "Brass Era" even though there doesn't seem to be any brass. I wonder what the driving experience is like. Could it go up a hill? Could it stop if it were driving down onw?

Man! The really bad ones are after they put up a BIG sign warning that they are over height. I've been responsible for fleets a few times in my career. Each of those crashes would result in a driver write up at a minimum. Unless their previous record was spotless, it would probably mean they'd be fired. In California, if you hit a railroad overcrossing like that, the railroad needs to inspect it immediately, resulting in a bill for thousands of dollars, even if there's no structural damage.

I suddenly became single in '84...it's a very dangerous condition. I thought the dishwasher might do a nice job on some valve covers. It did OK, not not great, but it did take a few loads to have the taste and smell completely go away.

The window surrounds on my car were so bad (see picture) that I really wasn't sure what the original finish was. Today, just as an experiment, I attacked them with some 00 steel wool and elbow grease. I was shocked to see a shine start to emerge! Does anyone have a better method? Car is a 1951 Simca 8 Sport that sat in a field for several decades. Very rare, but not valuable.

A few months ago they reposted as "Make Offer"...obviously, that didn't get it done. Here's the current VERY LONG ad...same pics. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/palm-springs-of-desoto-airflow/7742484205.html email: 96a3b237f8cb36cb806e760caa27fcc4@sale.craigslist.org

My sister had a very clapped out example of this car as a high school student in the 60's! It took two people to force the top up of down, and the hood often fell off when gas station attendants checked the oil. https://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/d/thousand-oaks-1948-buick-roadmaster/7742619903.html Stunning top-of-the-line 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible Model 76C w/ 129” wheelbase and incredible art deco styling. Straight 8cyl 320ci Fireball engine with superb 3-speed manual transmission and new clutch. Beautiful two-stage laquer Raven Black, beautiful chrome and full new leather interior. New white power top, power windows and power seat. New hydro-lectric power system w/new hydraulic cylinders, lines and rebuilt Dura pump. Lots of money recently spent with full new exhaust, new brakes, new manifolds, correct new battery etc. This fabulous Roadmaster is rare to find in this condition and comes with Clean California Title in my name, fresh tags and license and a recent full service. (818) 245-0050

This really was a car ahead of it's time....I could live with the later engine https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/ceres-1954-ford-crestline-skyliner/7742448552.html Rare one year only Skyliner Glass-Roof Hardtop, 302 V8, Aluminum intake, 4 barrel carb, C4 Automatic, power front brakes, Coker white walls, clean car inside and out email: 434672cf13783840bb1af2b690caf812@sale.craigslist.org

Now 6 months later, still for sale.... https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/alameda-1926-pierce-arrow/7734575786.html

Nice example, high price! https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/novato-1936-buick-special-40-series/7742570115.html LOOKS NEW (415) 717-5757 42,000 miles Fabulous Paint Job Straight Eight Engine Interior Like New For sure it will attract attention while driving up the coast highway

Does anyone one have a recommendation for a plater in California? I have a bunch of small parts and the place I used 15 years ago is no longer around, Thanks!

I was just going to mention that wonderful Diesel! I lived near Donner Summit (7200 ft) when they were new. I remember they struggling up the hill with a black plume behind them!

I like it. I'd like it a lot more with a Studebaker engine, but I could live with this...

When I search, I filter for pre- 1954 to avoid being swamped with tri-five Chevys and later stuff. Just looking at the local CL at the moment, it shows 141 cars in that bracket. Of those, 39 were hot rods and 36 were trucks. I'd love to post older stuff...it just doesn't come up! If I see it, I always post it!