pkhammer

I have a great amount of respect for those that can be found in the garage each day making things happen. I am much more laid back (lazy?) than that. I suspect that I (we?) are in the majority.

So to bring this story current. Memorial Day weekend came and I decided it was WAY past time to get the roadster out and really assess what I need to do to get this thing road-worthy. A good wash (actually should say washes, this thing was so filthy it was hard to tell what color it was!). Cleaned the interior, glass and engine bay. Then made a checklist of things to do: points, plugs, condenser, rotor, hoses, fan belt, fluids, and battery. Tires have tread like new but terrible cracks in the sidewalls so time to order tires and tubes. I'm coming to the realization that the gas tank will likely need to be removed, cleaned, sealed, re-painted and re-installed. I hate to do it but I'm about ready to bite the bullet on that project. And then there's the broken top bow. The center wood bow appears to have "spread" at some point pulling away from the top irons and splitting/breaking the wood at those attachment points. I had previously spoken to my friend Dave about how to best remove the old bow. Once I had the top partially up I started removing the little staples that hold the cloth top to the wood as he instructed me to. The outer padded parts only had 1-2 staples each side. The first strap had 3 staples, the second had six staples and the last one had nine! I sent Dave @trimacara text that basically read "#@&%!! top". At least it's out now and that's what counts. Got to find a replacement now. Fluids are changed, new plugs are gapped and in, carburetor is off and soaking. Now waiting for some other parts to arrive.

Better than a golf cart.

Not much happened for the next six months. It sat in the trailer until I recovered from Covid. Then January and February were too cold to venture out much (yes, I'm a Wuss!). I did manage to get the old 20 year-old gas drained. I didn't like what I saw in the tank either at that point. I let it soak with 10 gallons of white vinegar in it which seemed to clean out the varnish/tarry stuff but did nothing for the surface rust. I filled the tank then with diesel fuel to help keep it from rusting further until I could figure out what to do. Three months went by then while I attended to other projects. Boney, the dead mechanic did keep a close eye on it throughout the winter and spring.

I got in touch with the owner and indeed his Grandfather had owned the car back in the 90's and it had even won a AACA National First Prize! Indeed the badge is still affixed to the grille guard. His Grandfather had passed away in 2003 and the car had sat in a basement garage for nearly 20 years without being ran until his Grandmother passed at which time he inherited the car. I thought it was just what I was looking for so I made the trip from VA on Black Friday. Heading north into PA from our home in VA I starting questioning my sanity when the winds and snow picked up! In any case we made it there with our 20' enclosed trailer in tow and were welcomed by a very nice young man and his fiancee. The car looked mostly like it just needed a thorough cleaning and the usual things that needed to be done to car that had sat for so long. We made the deal, did the paperwork, loaded the car and headed home. Here are photos of the car getting ready to head home.

A few years ago I started a thread about how I was interested in possibly finding and purchasing a decent (driver) open car from the nickel era. It was a fun thread and I got a lot of good advice there. I do remember saying that my budget was $10-$15k and there were a lot of comments posted that it'd be hard, but not impossible to find a good open car in that price range. After a lot of car searching and soul searching I decided to stick with the Model A Ford. Yeah I know it's not a nickel era car but having worked on a number of model A's and having put one together basically from the ground up I at least knew them well and just as important, I like them! So I started a thread under cars wanted last fall and after a while I got a PM from @jpage about a car he had run into by chance in the parking lot of a store in Altoona, PA. He said the young owner had inherited it from his deceased Grandparent and that it was for sale. He said he thought it was a candidate worth looking into. Here is a photo he sent me of the car back in November 2021.

Listing this for a friend so moderators move this to "not mine" if you deem appropriate. This fabulous '53 Chevy is owned by a friend. This example is one of the few cars you'll find that looks better in person than in pictures, it is absolutely stunning! He started with a super solid, rust free truck and had it professionally painted. The paint is smooth, nearly mirror-like and the body is arrow straight. New white oak bed wood with stainless steel skid strips finishes the bed floor. The interior has been redone in stock materials and looks like new. Cab is equipped with a heater! It is mostly stock with a '54 235 six cylinder under hood and a three speed column shift. Starts easily and runs and drives very well. Steering is tight and the clutch operates smoothly. Tires are like new 215/75R15 all around on chrome steel wheels. What you can't see (chassis) is as clean as the rest of the truck. Only modifications are conversion to 12 volt and a Fenton split exhaust manifold and it has a nice growl thru the dual glasspacks. The mechanical fan has been removed and an electric fan keeps it cool. This beautiful truck isn't quite perfect and does has a couple of items that need to be addressed by the new owner. Both door (side) glass is cracked. The emergency brake needs some adjustment as it doesn't want to hold. All the gauges work EXCEPT the fuel gauge. One of the cleanest Advance Design Pickups you'll ever see is located near Timberville, VA. Asking price is $29,995. Please PM me with questions.

@dpcdfanshoot me a PM and we can discuss. -Greg

I have nothing to contribute so I'm going to go take a ride on my enginecycle.

569977 Thanks Rich

Thanks Rich, I noticed the markings on the upper tank after I uploaded the photos. Now if I could just figure out what Mopar year/model.

I agree, it's a dealer piece.

This radiator also appears to be in good condition. It measures 19" wide x 26" high overall (bottom to top of neck). This one appears to be a little later than the first, maybe 1930s? Anyone recognize this one?

Found in a shed this early honeycomb radiator. Appears to be fairly early (1920s?) and in nice condition. Measures 20 1/2" wide and 27 1/2" high overall (bottom to top of neck). Any idea what it might belong to?

Found these two 17: wire wheels that appear to be '33-'34 Plymouth or Dodge. At a glance they look identical but one is wider than the other. One is about 3 1/4" wide where the bead sits and the other is about 3 3/4" Not sure if I'm measuring exactly right but one is 1/2" wider than the other. Why would they be different?

Interesting I found this advertisement from 1918 online showing the same logo.

Had a nice little two day trip into Maryland and found this neat little piece of advertising in a Hagerstown antique mall. Reads "SELDEN TRUCKS Buy a Selden -It's all Truck 1, 2, 3 1/2 and 5 Ton Worm and Internal Drive Orrville Motor Car Company Orrville Ohio". It's worn and a little beat up from age but still a neat piece I thought. Anyone ever heard of Orrville Motor car Company?

Minor bodywork and she'd be good as new.

X2. My first set of wheels was a 1957 Ford F100 custom cab (not the one pictured) purchased when I 15. Sweet Y-block with dual exhaust, best sound ever! Drove my buddies to high school in it. It's not a matter of if I could buy it but I don't but a matter of I can't find one! I've been fond of pickups all my life.

Give them to a young person that is excited and learning the hobby. An older friend gave me a large stack of old issues and after I had gone thru them I looked for an opportunity to pass them on. A man and his 15 year old son came to buy some model A parts from me. The boy was super excited about old cars and I knew I found the right recipient for them. He was thrilled to get them.

Yes, we'd all be interested in seeing a good story about your trip Billy!

Yes, you can file a claim thru PayPal unless you sent the money "friends and family". If you did that then I don't think you have any recourse.

I have four each of std., .020", .030", and .040" left. All full sets are sold. What's left is $125/box of four shipped in the US.

Sneaky.........

At least we got to see the Brockway!