babychadwick

She's a '38 only year with the horizontal grill and one of the bars is busted unfortunately. We got her out of the container today and was great to be able to see her in the light and open all the doors. Unfortunately the side of the container was scraped not enough to dent but enough to trade paint. Detroit, which body do you have? I would like to find some paint that I can start to touch up all the chips and retain the original paint.

The paint isn't quite as perfect as I had hoped but appears to be original and I plan on touching up some of the little chips and keeping it that way. The interior is in overall good useable condition and a good careful cleaning will go a long way. In regards to the engine the information I now have is that my Grandfather was driving the car and found the oil float to be "high" and upon checking water was found. There is a rumor that several friends were helping him to work on the car before he passed. However, I see no evidence of anything being disturbed. If you didn't know about the engine one would guess you could charge the battery and start it up. Over the next few days I should be getting it out of the container and loaded on the trailer.

Well I got to see the car yesterday and while it is tucked away in a corner of a container I am very happy. While my typical drive is a long haul hitting rest stops when I get tired to arrive the next day before dark and once I arrive get a solid rest for a day or two (going out was single night stops) I may be extending this trip going back. Doing things this way I am able to usually time cities to avoid rush hour and spend more time on the road when the roads are empty. Whether I have a trailer or not my speed has always been about that of trucks. For me there is no reason to race and waste fuel, the mileage drop between 60 and 75 is ridiculous. However, with this load I will be picking out about the slowest truck and "hanging" with them. Alex (my son) has been doing great, after all this is far from his first long distance trip. He has done flights from Bangkok to Miami, road trips from Miami to St. Louis and this is not his first cross country trip.

After driving cross country in a couple hours I will finally get a chance to see the Lincoln that I drove to pick up. I know the engine has a problem (believe there is a little water in the oil or so I was told) that was relayed to me from my deceased grandfather to my uncle to my mom approximately 15 years ago so its a bit of an unknown. I believe the paint is original or an old respray with "Patina" as was relayed from someone else. Anyways I hope my excitement is justified and hopefully wil have some pictures to share tonight.

Well this has got to be a new personal record, especially since it was just my 4 year old and me. I left Key Largo (south of Miami) at noon on Sunday and arrived in Gilroy (south of San Jose) last night around 9:30. I picked up a trailer outside of Houston and have been towing the empty trailer since then. I will say the trailer while being heavy duty tows beautifully even if I did drive like a little old lady thru Pasadena and was not passing cars going up grapevine hill. I should be getting my first look at this Lincoln in an hour or so.

Are you a person who changes your own oil or takes it to a shop? When you need work done do you think more about labor cost or parts? If you are mechanical anything is possible, if you rely on others money makes anything possible. Knowing where you are will help determine the best car for you

When trailering a T it is very clear that there are things that may or may not be done. I would like to thank Ken for the information regarding the transmission and Tom for the advice on towing backwards. Dave, I am slightly insulted as the nearest AACA "club" is a considerable drive, I have friends in many clubs being a 3rd generation t guy. Vintage your response is exactly what I would expect on someone representing an auto transport company. Jak I appreciate your understanding. Franklin that was good advice regarding the tow in when a vehicle is reversed. There was no reason to ask the "best way" or "safest way" to transport a '38 Lincoln Zephyr from the CA bay area to the FL keys as the answer is simply "have it moved." There are many other considerations that have been involved in the decision making process to say the least. Had I not opted to explore this train of thought I could not have eliminated it as an option. For those concerned for the safety of the car I will be towing home on a tandem trailer (purchased as opposed to a rental due to one way rental prices) that has passed my safety inspection. The word I have received regarding the car from well known individuals is that there was water in the oil so if the heads are aluminum that will be my first approach of the problem. The car is going to a good home in a safe manner.

The entire point of this topic was to determine the viability of towing a Lincoln long distances with a dolly. Not to find the best way to transport a car or the skill level involved for those seeking to hijack the thread. In reality cost should be irrelevant as should the actual distance unless there is a difference between 10 or 100 or 1000 miles. For that reason I left the mileage out. Over the last 3 years I have averaged 1000-2000 miles towing thru everything from rain, smoke, hail, sand storms, ice, and fog. I started towing in the sierras with a '64 ford truck. The learning curve can be pretty steep with no power anything and a trailer in the mountains especially for someone who just started to drive.

Any interest in a trade? Circa 1770's French

Wouldn't it be nice if money were not a problem. Renting a trailer would cost around $1200. I assumed I would be putting new tires on it. The car should be in very good condition minus an engine problem that could be as simple (I doubt it) as a blown head gasket. In short I am a single dad taking care of a 4 year old full time and trying to keep this car in the family as well as other items that may be sold at the estate sale that I would like to see passed down to my son. I don't mind driving 55-60 top speed towing but am wondering if it is a viable option and if not why.

Of course I do. In fact there may be a cross country trip in the near future, trying to keep a car in the family. I was on facebook for a while and have decided to totally drop it replacing contact with the various forums. Personally it seems odd to be a part of a group like the AACA when there are those touring with cars newer than my personal choice as a sole car.

Franklin if either of those options were available I would have not asked the question.

38 coupe, it was my grandfathers. Just kidding I do believe it is a sedan and would love to keep it in the family.

That is the kind of information I am looking for. If this does happen I would be a first time Zephyr owner. I still do not have much information on the car but do know there is "something" wrong with the engine. Would overfilling the transmission be a bad idea to help everything maintain oil?

Thank you, I've caught some flak by planning the exhaust before the body is "built" but think it will be reflective in the finished car and not look like something just "stuck" on the side.

In my experience the babbitt is usually not the problem. Far more likely that someone tried to remove a starter without pulling the bendix first or similar. If you are new to T's then you should know stock they are slow. They can go fast and the graph for speed goes right along with the graph for cost. When I say slow, going down that city street with a 45mph limit you might be running wide open with several people trying to pass you. Remember you only have 2 speeds and low is most comparable to the granny gear in a truck or 1st in a model A, often you can just skip it. If what I mentioned doesn't bother you then the most common things to look at are whether it will run on mag and whether the babbitt thrust washers have been replaced with bronze. If it is unknown then its best to plan on tearing the rear end apart. I could go on but I hope this helps. I am currently building up a '27 speedster.

I would be towing it a long ways. My thoughts are bearings transmission etc.

My perspective might be different than most as I consider myself a minority in that I am under 40 and have a love for brass cars. Being a single father (full time) a brass car is a toy that is unobtanium. The best I can hope for is to collect small pieces over time and hopefully get enough to build a car investing a little as I can, so far I have been collecting for about 20 years. Every piece I acquire is gold as I know that nothing more is being made and prices are not getting any cheaper. There may be a time in the far future when I am older and need to part with this car. At that time knowing that I will never get the time and money invested out of it and it will be a one of a kind I would rather see it go to a good home than make money on it. The other option would be to exchange it for something that I could enjoy more.

I was just thinking a number of months ago there was a complete T body painted upholstery fenders etc that looked great that was offered. I picked up a '27 complete chassis minus frame for $800 and believe me I was thinking about buying the body. I could have easily had a nice car for around 3k. I know somebody else who also picked up a compete running chassis for I believe $500. There are other body options, I know it was years ago but if memory serves we bought the touring body for the '14 new.

What are your opinions? What should be checked first looked at etc.

I realize there is little to no chance of the original poster coming back and reading this but it is not directed at him but rather those that responded. True I am "new" to the forum and there is a chance I am using this as an opportunity to boost my posts but I also feel it is a valid point. Realistically the only thing to think about in todays world if you want an open car for under 10k is a model T, 3k is very little. However how many of us have seen or know of people who have bought complete chassis for a fraction of 3k even chassis in good running condition. Why didn't anybody suggest getting looking for a T chassis, he could then keep his eyes open or buy a body to go on it saving up additional money during that time while his friends help go thru the chassis so he does have a really good running car?

I'm about as far south as you can get and still be in the US. Anybody farther south has to drive past where I am now in Key Largo, about an hour drive north to get to Miami. Yes, like the movie. In fact a friend of mine has a long term lease and not only restored but runs trips daily in the African Queen. However, as I can't afford to have a home here I will be moving to western TN where I am currently paying on 18 acres. Up there I will be able to setup a shop and foundry (I build antique flintlocks and cannons). The plan is to be up there when my Son starts kindergarten which will be year after next. In regards to the speedster I will be running pressurized mains driven by an oil pump on the back of the cam (magneto removed) with the bypass to the timing gears. The rods will get their oil via dips and a damn brazed into the pan. The camshaft is an A cut down and running bare in the T block. Cylinder head is a new Sherman. As for the carb hurricane Irma ate my Winfield so I either have a master or large zenith available. The exhaust runs high headers then thru the pipe in the picture. Gearing so I can "run" on roads is achieved by an aluminum warford. The drop is approx. 6+ inches achieved by a "Z" in the rear coupled with bent rear spring to avoid the look of too massive a "Z". The front perches are removed and a new bracket fabricated allowing for an adjustable 4 link front end and early rear perches mounted into the plate. Somewhat similar to Laurel style lowering brackets. I intend to make the body what little there is out of aluminum.

Good morning and a happy new year to everybody. I recently "joined" the forum and felt I should introduce myself. I was cursed with a love for the old cars before I was born being named "Chadwick" and have grown up with them (3rd generation). Currently I am a single Dad with a 4 year old who I am doing my best to curse as well carrying on the tradition. Most of my time will be spent over in the Speedster section as that is my passion. For the most part at this time in my life a car is either a tool or a toy and toys are not in the budget. I have a '59 Thunderbird that was my sole transportation until the divorce when I got her car and the starter died on the tbird. The speedster was something that was also started before the divorce that is now progressing very slowly and may become an investment for building a house. Everything special I have acquired is saved for my '12 tourabout which is more speedster than touring. I have been collecting pieces for it for nearly 20 years and have quite a collection going.

Im actually going to run more of an angular tank rather than a round one. Im also going to opt for a couple spare tires and round trunk in the middle, the trunk/tires will be removable. Sort of like this

At 38 I don't classify myself in any "group" as I would just like to live my life and have the govt leave me alone. This mindset doesn't seem to match any label. I have owned a few cars that most consider old though. 1922 Model T Speedster (Finished driven High School senior year) 1928 Model A Roadster 1959 Ford Thunderbird (current driver) 1964 Ford F100 (High School car) 1964 Triumph Spitfire (daily driver) 1966 Pontiac Bonneville (daily driver, used as a tow car cross country) 1977 Ford Granada (College tow car for the Speedster) Currently I am building a 1927 Model T Speedster and collecting pieces for my personal design 1912 Tourabout.