Jim Skelly

That's correct, the gold color was used only on the Bel Air. Lots of cars have had emblems and grilles swapped out as parts got damaged, or to convert a 210 hardtop into a Bel Air hardtop, for example. I didn't know about the script width being different between the 6 and 8 as I never saw one of each parked next to one another. Different countries must have had some variations from the U.S. and Canadian market, which I wasn't aware of before this thread.

like the one my folks' bought new (except w/o skirts and optional wheel covers, and Mom wanted a white top) …

Andy, Dearborn had an Amoco station almost identical to this that opened in 1913 and was torn down around 2007 due to the cost of replacing the original tile roof. The owner decided to set the new station further back and built an energy efficient station that replicated the look of the old station. I miss the old station, but have to credit him for doing that. There is another one in Coldwater, Michigan, a couple of hours west of Dearborn.

Detroit has one of the largest collections of 1920s commercial buildings in the country. It only goes back to 1701, so it lacks the colonial architecture of the east coast.

John, You are correct that the V was used on the V8s only. However, gold was not an option like on some '50s Cadillacs. The Bel Air came with a gold grille, emblems and front fender "vents". The 210 and 150 lines came only with the silver or chrome parts.

Andy, Truthfully, I never thought I would see a comeback in Detroit. Too many officials had been elected who only wanted to enrich themselves instead of improving the city for all residents. My parents lived in Detroit until 1935 (Mom) and 1938 (Dad). They used to say how great the schools were, the streetcars were always on time, and other aspects of city life were as you would expect them to be. I have no preference for one coney island joint over the other, but it must come with a cold beer! To others on this forum who have seen Detroit at its worst, pay a visit and you will be pleasantly surprised. For those who have never been here, you will enjoy it. There are many museums to see, and many sports teams, too. Finally, the University of Michigan has some great museums, too, and Ann Arbor is only an hour away.

thanks for the exact location; I'll have to check it out Detroit is slowly turning around after a sixty year decline. Much progress has been made since its bankruptcy, and getting a mayor and city council who are willing to work together to solve problems instead of finger pointing or taking payoffs. The Packard complex (4-story building in the series of pictures) is being restored, but it's an ambitious project in a worn out neighborhood. The goal is a mixed-use development. The owner is from Venezuela. I hope he succeeds. The 1913 Michigan Central Depot is supposed to be completely restored in four years. I was in it the day before it closed (January 5, 1988). It was in deplorable condition then. It's where my Dad left for the Navy and returned at the end of WWII, so I had to go. It was the only time I had ever been in it. I believe the mansion belonged to one of the Fisher brothers (Fisher Body). Most of their mansions have survived, though one was destroyed by fire a while back when it was being worked on. That Firestone store is just as worthy as the gas stations, in my opinion. Those old buildings sure have character that is lacking in most buildings today!

there are lots of old stations and banks in Detroit, but most have been substantially altered or painted; thanks for posting; where is it exactly? good story about meeting your wife, Bob

The Henry Ford Museum had a Regal Underslung Speedster in dark blue or black. They foolishly decided it wasn't pertinent to their collection, so it was auctioned off with a number of other cars around 1979. My parents and grandparents knew the family that bought it at that auction. It was eventually sold and I saw it sold again at auction a couple of years ago for about $110,000.

I should have been clearer on the drawing. It's not a hole near the chamfered end, but a 1/4" protrusion on either side, 1/4" in diameter, that allows the crank handle to catch into the crankcase opening.

As mentioned in another post, I found this on my grandparents' farm in the late 1960s. As shown in the second photo, there is a slight bump out in the center of the tip that is exposed when the handle is inserted into the crankcase. I don't see any other identifying marks. Thanks for your help!

I'll do that, Grog; thanks for the suggestion!

When my grandmother retired in the late '60s, she moved back to the family farmhouse that had been rented out for close to twenty years. My brother and I spotted what we thought was an old car in high weeds near some weed trees. We ran up to it, and Dad caught up to us. What a disappointment as he told us it was a manure spreader! I did find a rusted out tailgate with the Ford script on it. I also found a crank handle, which I took home, cleaned up and painted. I still have it and wonder what it came off of.

You are risking a catastrophic event by driving on such old tires. It's not worth risking your life or damaging the car when a tire decides to blow up or get a tread separation. Keep one as a spare for car shows and just find some tires that looks appropriate. I had a tread separation on my '77 Eldorado in 1998 while it was parked at work. Fortunately for the car and me, I wasn't driving when it happened. I went out and got new tires right away. It also had its original tires, and looked nice. I also had a rear blowout on my '71 Eldorado while driving on a freeway. Fortunately I was able to safely bring it to a stop. The tires on the '71 were not very old.

I can't say it better, Walt! If anyone has information on an obscure car or manufacturing process, please share! I'm trying to determine if any Detroit-Dearborn cars still exist. I posted the topic in General Discussions, but no luck so far. I have acquired an ad, photo, negative of the photo, and 4 pages of technical specifications for the car. It was only made in 1910, and only 110 were produced. One was reportedly still in use in the 1950s. Sadly, much information has gone to the graves with many enthusiasts from the past.

People eventually stopped buying cars when the trunk openings shrunk by a foot in depth, and the car widths narrowed from 80 to 73 inches, so you could no longer adequately (note I didn't say comfortably) seat three people in the back seat of full-sized cars. Add sloping roofs that reduce rear headroom and rear visibility, and you no longer have a suitable vehicle for families. Why GM didn't go to hatchbacks to provide an adequate trunk opening indicates how clueless they are. The foreign car companies have been making wagons and hatchbacks for decades, and have done quite well with them. GM, Ford and Chrysler have been too stubborn to continue making them. Yes, they are importing the Opel-made Regal hatchback and wagon, but I haven't seen any on the road. I have seen a couple of Cruze hatchbacks, but plenty from other manufacturers. SUVs provide decent seating for 5, and adequate room for 7-8. Trucks can comfortably seat 2 in the front and 2-3 adequately in back. GM complains that the cars aren't selling, but if they made competitive cars, they wouldn't have trouble selling everything they made. Since SUVs and trucks are more profitable, GM has been investing their money in those vehicles. I wouldn't be surprised if GM becomes totally irrelevant within a few years if it hasn't already achieved that.

Walt, I, too, appreciate the contributions of the many men and women who have worked in our auto industry. Both grandfathers, my father and uncles all worked in the industry at one time in the Detroit area (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Packard). Growing up in Dearborn allowed me to see the Mustang in December of 1963 passing through the subdivision. I continue to see new models to this very day, but they are always camouflaged now. Hopefully you continue to write for many years to come. I always look forward to reading your articles. In fact, I showed my sister and late Mom your article on auto upholstery in the 1920s. They were as impressed as me!

Does anyone know if any have survived? They were produced in Dearborn, Michigan and 110 were built. Two models were available, a roadster and a touring. Thanks.

Walt, I always enjoy reading your articles. You do a great job of providing period photos and literature, as well as interesting text.

The Ford Glass Division was part of the Rouge complex. I have one identical to this except it just has the Ford logo. My late uncle worked at the Ford HQ. and generously gave it to me., and I use it daily. I also have a Lincoln Mark IV or Mark V opera window which I guess was a promotional item handed out to Ford employees. He has passed away, so I can't verify that. They also presumably made the amber colored ashtray promoting the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. The car companies made many promotional items that were handed out at Open House plant tours. When my Dad worked at Ford, their Pressed Steel plant produced aluminum ashtrays with a Ford two-door sedan in profile riveted to the center. These were apparently given out at their Open House in 1950, since it is mentioned on the stamping.