JBP

I noticed that beautiful Pierce is foreshadowing passenger-seat cupholders. Progress! All gorgeous cars.

Thanks, Mark. I'm aware of what a service tag is; I posted that pic because I couldn't tell from the resolution of the photo if there were places on the emblem for service information, or if it was purely decorative.

- and one more I snapped late this afternoon, just for @Walt G, an 1899 Daimler outside a favourite Hyde Park pub.

A few of the cars entered in this year's Veteran Car run on display at St. James's Palace earlier today. Owing to the crowd, I could only manage a few decent shots, but some terrific automobiles on display. Had a chat with the owner of a beautiful triple-chain drive Albion who told me about the battle he had registering his car with the club. His Albion was built with a 12hp motor, but was soon back to the factory to have the engine bored out to 16hp. Even with documentation it still took him some time to assure the club it wasn't a "restomod" - the factory initiated the change as the 12hp didn't provide enough power. (Heavy crowd around it, no decent photo - have attached its photo below, "in motion" from the Veteran Car website of entrants)

The Song Dynasty Buddhist text is on display right now - well worth experiencing, Ed. Printed in the late 1080's and unfolds to over 30 feet in length (think of it as an early "service manual" for the soul).

Come on, Wayne - where's your sense of humour? Even the GM engineers are allowed to have some fun once in awhile! I found it funny as hell that the Buick 1941 Owner's Manual doesn't even mention a single word about the hood and this danger, but does have four short paragraphs on optional seat covers and why I should want them.

Too funny, Zach! We'll have to start calling you "Curly" on this forum, like Elliot Lewis used to call Phil on his show with Alice Faye! How much for a video of you singing a verse and two choruses of "That's what I like about the South"? 😉

Zach - was that Benny's maroon-coloured Packard from Earle Anthony's dealership? That was a great looking car. There was a Maxwell on Hemmings for a LONG time that had a connection to Jack (came with a photo of him in the car, which was used to ferry him around some city for publicity). Jack's radio show was the high-water mark of American radio comedy, in my opinion, with Fred Allen just a smidge beneath.

Hell, I'd cruise around with him in that flivver he commandeered in "It Happened One Night."

Thanks @alsancle and @1935Packard - that's the car of Gable's I was remembering. I was just doing some internet sleuthing, and the auction I was thinking of was when the Moretti collection was auctioned off, and that car was one of the group; it's a great looking automobile. There aren't any "star cars" that I'd really ever pursue just for their association with celebrity (and certainly not ones associated with people of infamy). There is an activist shareholder/hedge fund guy who has the original pilot's seat from the Enola Gay in his office (or did, for many years). As he had no connection to the war, aviation, or anything else, I found it a really weird thing to want to own. ....but, I also feel Dodges are a weird thing for anyone to want to own, so what do I know?

Whatever became of Gable's Packard Twin Six? I recall it being up for auction about (at least) ten years ago, if not a bit longer.

Signal was a company that had some fun advertising and marketing. They were the west coast sponsor of "The Whistler" and "Tarzan" radio shows for many years, and had a campaign that featured Tarzan (usually wrestling some animal) with the slogan that their gasoline had "The power of Tarzan."

Glad it came apart easily, especially after 100+ years! If there's a quality bookbinder in your community, you might consider taking one of your covers there for their opinion. Failing that, your local library might be able to recommend a place they use to repair books. That original binding material may be Buckram (but canvas was also used).

The two "locking pins/posts" that run down through the book should now be released. Take a look at the ends of those two posts - they're capped with (usually) a screw-apart top, but should come apart so you can thread them out of the book. Attached photo shows what I'm talking about. If there aren't any slotted screwheads on the rear of the book (the front cover photo doesn't show any), then these may be a press-fit, which would be a bit unusual. When you turned the locking post, can you detect any "loosening" or movement in the binding?

Yes - when turned, the square post will release the two rods which run down through the pages. These were called "end locking loose leaf sectionals" in the book biz. The access to the square locking post was covered with either a metal or rubber plug when sold.

Sorry, Wayne - I’m out digging around a private library in Canterbury this morning, but will try and get some more info when I get back to the City!

Walt, you’ll be glad to hear that the food at The Swan is still excellent (and the bar service is quite swift and generous - especially judging by the sounds of last night’s patrons enjoying the Guy Fawkes/Bonfire weekend). It’s 0815 Sunday here, and the Run is on. The rain is coming down in sheets right now, which is the first heavy day of rain I’ve seen here for the past two weeks; nice to see the Universe likes to keep inclement weather in reserve for all old car events, no matter where they take place! Not a great pic, but these were parked in front of the Royal Automobile Club on Piccadilly yesterday as I was going by.

Was just walking around the corner from my hotel when this beauty pulled up in front of a pub on the north edge of Hyde Park. Some great machines entered in the run this year: https://www.veterancarrun.com

Rochester: Boss, why don’t you trade in the Maxwell and get a new car? Jack: What for? This car always gets us where we want to go. Rochester: I know - but look how much older we are when we get there!

Jack drives a sporty two-door in this scene:

Greg: I've just brought home what can only be described as a "beater convertible." This car was bought by the previous owner decades ago, who decided to do some "upgrades" on it, but never completed them. So, finding all kinds of issues with it as I dig into it. BUT: the whole car and all trim is all there and accounted for, and there's nothing that can't be repaired/undone/repaired properly over time. It runs well, steers, handles and stops just fine as it is, right now, without having to put anything into it, other than gas and a fluid change. This car was also listed here on the AACA "not mine" sale forum, where all kinds of really helpful comments like: "That doesn't look right" and "That doesn't look right," and of course, "That doesn't look right," were offered up. I didn't care. I knew the car had issues, it was obvious. And, like an iceberg, there's a mass of things lurking below that we cannot see until we're up close and start getting into it. It was a car I wanted, and the pricetag vs. cost of what I knew I was in for wasn't lost on me. But I went for it, and I'm not sorry that I did. Kudos to the seller for being forthright and declaring what he knows about the Packard. Overpriced? Sure it is. But if you can get it for a figure you feel comfortable with, and know what you're buying, then nothing wrong with that. Packard has been out of business for 65 years; the amount of people left on this planet who even know what one is miniscule. If you like it (or any other "Frankencar"), then go for it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a correct transmission to hunt down - after I take the car for a drive.

Brave man; just stand well clear of the "Danny Thomas Spit-take Zone" when you say it!

Bernie: Your quoted price is way out of line: this guy will perform the same services for only $200 per day (plus expenses). JBP

Compound fracture, protruding bone, calm demeanour, and clearly used to consulting for help after a calamitous failure? He must have been a Mopar guy.