Michigan Farmer

You might want to try the Mark II forum at www.markiiforum.com. It is not a club, just a bunch of guys interested in Mark IIs. The cost is $1.00 per month to join.

These pictures are from Fisher Body in Flint Michigan

I have always like old cars since High School. I have never been able to afford anything except project cars through the years. Here are a few of the projects I have dragged home. One from Colorado where the bolts on the factory hitch broke and the hitch and trailer tongue ended up on the pavement. Another from Ohio that almost didn't fit on the trailer. And one from PA that attracted so much attention in rest areas that I had to give history lessons on the car and the car company before I could continue on.

How about another production Graham - the 1939 Graham Spirit of Motion?

For a regular production car, how about 1933 Graham 57A Custom 8?

I don't know the owner, but just came across the following from a local news feed.

Thanks for the ID - I never would have thought of Regal. Ron

Can you identify the car stuck in the mud? The two pictures below were taken on the main road between Lansing and Battle Creek, MI before it was graveled, just west of Lansing. The man with the shovel is my great grandfather. Thanks, Ron

Nick - I would be interested in the Auto Restorer Magazines. Sent you a PM. Thanks, Ron

Thank you for the responses. I thought the engine might be Buick because it was included with the following two photographs. According to the book referenced above by Tinder - W. D. Benham "made 8 x 10 photos of the 1906 Ford Model K Roadster as well as photos of the Chalmers assembly line.

Can anyone identify this early four-cylinder engine? A former customer collected photographs and postcards from estate sales. He knew of my interest in old cars and would let me scan the automotive photos. This photo is marked on the back - "W. D. Benham, Commercial Photographer, Wetherbee Building. The Wetherbee Building was in Detroit. According to a "Directory of Early Michigan Photographers" by David Tinder (2013) - W. D. Benham worked out of the Wetherbee Building from 1906-1909. One of his specialties was automotive work. The included article is from the Michigan Manufacturer dated Dec. 1913. Thanks, Ron

The Gilmore began as the hobby of Donald Gilmore. The Gilmores had a summer home on Gull Lake 5 miles south of the museum. After Mr. Gilmore retired, he was encouraged to take up the old car hobby. As his collection grew, he needed a place to house his collection and to work on his cars. He decided to buy 90 acres of farmland north of Gull Lake. I don't think his original intent was to start a museum. He just wanted a place to show case his collection. Gull Lake was a popular place for those with money to have a summer home or cottage. W. K. Kellogg had a home on Gull Lake as well as other prominent people. The popularity of Gull Lake with the wealthy can be seen in the attached letter. The museum didn't make a decision to locate in Hickory Corners, Donald Gilmore made the decision to locate his collection there. Personally, I enjoy the location. There is plenty of fresh air, green grass and a place for kids to run and play. The Gilmore is 35 miles straight south of the Gerald R Ford International airport (on the southside of Grand Rapids) just off of M-37. The Gilmore is also less than 50 miles from South Haven and Holland on Lake Michigan with their beautiful beaches and unsalted water to swim in.

Try www.autocolorlibrary.com, tcpglobal or another paint company might be able to help you match the color you are looking for. Ron

I built a sandblast cabinet a number of years and it works great. At the time TIP Sandblasting/TIP tools sold plans and a kit so you could make your own. I made mine out of 3/4 inch plywood with a metal frame and expanded metal. I used Formica on the inside on the back of the cabinet to protect the wood. I also used a small exhaust fan connected to 3" tubing vented outside to carry away the dust. I found that glass beads worked better than sand. Ron

Cyclecars were very popular from about 1914-1916. There were about 30 different American manufacturers of cyclecars in 1915. There was also a Cyclecar Manufacturers National Association. Cycle cars usually had room for the driver and one passenger. The most common engine was a twin "V" 2 cylinder motor and the most common drive was by chain or belt. Most cyclecars cost roughly $400 to $500. Cyclecars were also popular in England, Germany and France.

I would like to thank everyone who responded to this post. I found a used copy of his book on "Elderly Autos" on the internet. Sounds like he was a very interesting person. Ron

The newspaper article was from The Philadelphia Inquirer, 14 June 1985. He wrote a booklet on "Tufting and Diamond Pleating" which I would like to find.

I was going through some old files and came across upholstery samples from Stitt's Supply Co., in Churchtown, PA. Does anyone know what happened to Stitt's? I assume it was probably sold off after the owner passed away.

Gunsmoke - I would be interested in the book. Send me a private message with address. Media rate is the cheapest way to ship. Thanks, Ron

An unrestored 1933 Graham. An Amos Northup design.

pkhammer - Sent PM about buying trunk rack. Ron

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but this from the GP 612 Parts Book. Ron

This is one of my favorite cars at the Gilmore. Ron

I have a 57A, but I don't know if the carb is original. It will take me a couple of days before I can get some pictures. Ron

Thank you for all of the responses. I appreciate knowing more about the histories of these cars. Ron