[WTB Upper windshield stanchions 1930 Pontiac open car]

Need upper windshield stanchions for 1930 Pontiac roadster.  Based upon some online research it appears that Buick open car parts are same.

[Unknown Bumpers]

So I did examine the bumper which several of you had identified as a Biflex, there are no identifying marks or badges remaining anywhere on the bumper that I could find! 
Al

[Charlotte Spring swap meet]

Thanks gents for the feedback. Kinda wondering now if the trip is worth it although I do really enjoy the events.  I do hav several other toys in the garage, this just the latest.  Long drive from Pittsburgh, but Hershey is a long way off…  

PK, yes I’m on the Hamb as well, thanks!

[Unknown Bumpers]

Wow, I had no idea that there were so many aftermarket bumpers way back when, really cool post and history!

Kinda looks like 5mph bumpers weren’t invented in the seventies then!
Thanks Larry and Dave!

 

[Charlotte Spring swap meet]

I’ve attached a coupla photos of my project to illustrate. The most needed item which are probably a longshot, are the upper windshield stanchions for the 30 Pontiac roadster.  May havta settle for something close and modify, I’ll see what I find.  In addition, possibly some vintage gauges (40’s) to fit the theme of the build.  Vintage air cleaners for the 1 barrel rochesters.  Hubcaps for the wire wheels.  Who knows what else I might find of interest!!  Oh, and sample some of the heath food from the vendors and possibly a beer or two!

Really enjoy the whole event at Carlisle, from what I remember Charlotte was very similar, mostly wondering the timing of the event.  Wouldn’t be a total loss to come home empty handed, but I suspect that’d be unlikely.  I always seem to find something to drag home!  Thanks all!

 

[Charlotte Spring swap meet]

Have been able to attend both the spring and fall Carlisle swap meets most every year forever, haven’t made it to Charlotte in 20 years.  Hoping to attend Charlotte next month.  
Wondering what the event looks like and busiest days.  Seems like Carlisle has been becoming more of a weekday event over the years, by Saturday midday vendors are beginning to close up.

haven’t made it to Hershey in some years but that as well I’ve heard is more of a weekday event.

Hoping to score some specific items for my project.  Best days to attend? I can give it 2 days, arrive Thursday midday and depart Friday eve or Saturday morning is my thought right now.

Any suggestions? Thanks all!
 

[Unknown Bumpers]

So these bumpers where attached to my 30 Pontiac roadster when purchased, I’m not going to use them going forward, any idea what they came off of?

Thanks,

 

[1930 Pontiac roadster TROG car]

On 11/27/2023 at 9:12 PM, wayne sheldon said:

Okay, not my "thing", but actually maybe an interesting piece of automotive history. Such modified cars are generally frowned upon in "antique" automobile circles. However?

 

I happen to have been a longtime fan of model T Ford and other "speedsters", and in those circles, I tend to be regarded as somewhat of a "purist". Many thousands of model Ts and other cars were rebuilt into speedsters during the "speedster" era. Very few of them survived past World War Two scrap drives, or early antique automobile hobby reclaiming of parts for "proper" restorations. Most speedsters today are some level of recreations, and frankly, most of them are not original era cars at all. Frankly, when it comes to speedsters, I do not mind total recreations, as long as they are built to a historic normal using era methods and correct materials. But most are not done that way. All of the five I have restored and driven contained significant amounts of original era speedster pieces! You would be amazed at how much of that stuff (rejects from the parts piles?) used to show up at swap meets. All of them were done to an era standard style, and not over-restored modern "art pieces".

But that is me.

 

I often call the model T speedsters the "longest running automotive hobby in automotive history"! Technically, the first "model T speedsters" were the preproduction experimental chassis with simple bodies used by Ford engineers to test the designs for the new model. The first of those was built and driven in 1907, a year and a half before the model T was first on the market! In 1909, Ford built two factory "specials" to be run in the New York to Seattle coast to coast race. In 1910, Ford engineers began building a handful of "specials" based upon the model T chassis and designs, but with special engines and racing bodies, to be raced for publicity purposes. Those cars did quite well in the racing world for over two years. One of them, the one with the largest engine, beat the Blitzen Benz in a fair race! Before that day, the Blitzen Benz was considered the fastest racing car in the world!

By 1910, many Ford dealerships were taking the model t chassis with a cutdown body, and often no fenders, and using them in local competitions or cross country demonstrations. Numerous era photos can be found of these.

Also about 1910, individuals began to get into the act! Numerous companies began making and selling bits and pieces specifically for modifying one's Ford into something racier looking. Within a few years, many hundreds of speedsters were being built all across the country, model Ts and almost anything else. By the 1920s, there were thousands of them, and more were being built every day!

Unfortunately, nobody ever kept records of most of them.  Probably thousands of era photos exist, I have nearly a thousand of them on my computer! And thousands of remaining parts of era speedsters still exist. I have personally had, bought, sold, used in a "restoration" then sold, or even still have a hundred original era pieces of different era speedsters. Nobody will ever know just how many speedsters were built in the "speedster era". But the "speedster era" did end. However, that was not the end!

Speedsters did continue to be built for a variety of reasons for all practical purposes to this very day and beyond! Even when their popularity dropped low enough that nearly all the hundreds of companies catering to them had moved on to better markets, some people still built speedsters. Their popularity peaked about 1923. By 1925, the nearly fifty companies that had been building bodies for the speedster hobby was down to maybe a dozen. By 1927, only a handful were still struggling with specifically speedster bodies. Only by coincidence, the speedster era ended right about the same time the model T ended its production run. The speedster era gave way to something slightly different in focus and concept. It was followed by something some people refer to as a go-job (or gow job or other spellings?). 

The go-job eventually gave way to the "hot rod". The term "hot rod" was first used in the late 1930s, and publish if I recall correctly either 1938 or 1939. However, the term "hot rod" did not become common until after World War Two. The differences between "go-jobs" and "hot rods" is mostly semantics (what's in a name?), but also about the era or history surrounding them (prewar and postwar).

In the postwar return to normalcy, the hot rod became a centerpiece! And they have continued through numerous changing styles and iterations still today. 

Again, while "not my thing", early postwar hot rods are also a part of automotive history. I don't know and I won't ask the actual history of your car? (If it is even really known?) But it has the right look, methods and materials (what can be seen in the photographs?), of an early postwar hot rod. If it was in fact put together only recently? Someone did a good job of bringing together a lot of unlikely early pieces to get that effect. Properly "restored" I would appreciate it.

("restored" in quotes because it would not be the commonly preferred today back-to-factory restoration), However, "restored" does not necessarily mean back to factory. Look it up in any really good old dictionary with more than one definition opinion in it. It also can and does mean to any previous state of existence.

Back in the late 1940s, the Chevrolet "Babbitt beater" six was very popular for hopping up! All sorts of high performance heads, cams, and manifolds were being manufactured and sold!

 

Interesting stuff regardless.

Wayne, really interesting and informative post.  The old “barn find” hot rod feel of the car was what appealed to me about the car.  I just purchased the car and it is a very recent build.  I have to tell you that your post really influenced my thought process as to the path I should take with the car.  Although I really liked the “old school” vibe of the car,  I was considering possibly switching to juice brakes in the future, and as well some potential drivetrain modifications, (trans and rear axle).  I intend to get the car on the road and put some miles on it after I get an electrical system and lights installed.  Currently going thru the mechanical brakes, if after some road miles I gain some comfort with the stopping capability of the mechanical brakes I think I am now more inclined to retain them for the period correctness.  As well although I was considering a short megaphone style exhaust system on the left side of the car as is common now, I am considering a full length single or dual pipe system down the left side of the car dumping just in front of the rear wheel which I suspect fits the current theme of the car.

Really appreciate the thoughtful post!

Al

 

[30 Chevy? Huck brakes linkage / 30 Pontiac roadster]

The Huck mechanical brake linkage on my early 30’s Pontiac roadster has me puzzled.  It would seem that the cross bar which traverses the car about midway the length of the frame and connects the front and rear brake linkage to the brake pedal was designed with a front- rear balancing  feature in that it hangs on two pivoted brackets which are attached to outside of the frame rails.

Seems to me that this feature allowed a balancing of the brake force applied front and rear by allowing the cross bar to move fore and aft to balance forces front to rear once the shoes made contact with the drums. 
On my car there are two pivots attached to the rear of the trans crossmember which lock it in position and prohibit the fore and aft translation of the cross shaft, I am wondering / suspecting that these were added by someone who owned the car previously and didn’t understand the intended functionality? 
When you look at the photos you will note that the left hand swinging bracket which supports the cross shaft is swung forward, it is locked in that position by pivots which are attached to the trans crossmember.  Doesn’t seem right to me!

I as well am not absolutely certain of the original source of the frame, could be a Pontiac as I understand that Pontiac did utilize Huck brakes for one year, but I suspect it is between 30 and 33 Chevy.

 

Al

[1930 Pontiac roadster TROG car]

Thanks, seen at fall Carlisle and purchased a couple weeks later.  Car is as purchased, the gentleman that built it did incredibly nice work fabricating replacement interior body structure for all the original body wood, all of which was formed from rectangular tubing and sheet-metal.  It does need an exhaust system, (still considering what that should look like to fit the build) a full electrical system and exterior lighting. Still largely in planning stages of finishing the build, most of what I need should be available hot rod aftermarket.  The components I’m most concerned about finding are the upper windshield stanchions which are missing.  As I understand they made few of these open cars, other GM open car components may work (Buick) from what I’ve gathered online.  
Hope to have it on the road next summer!?

 

[1930 Pontiac roadster TROG car]

All, so with the help of many of you here, it appears that what I have is a 1930 Pontiac roadster body shell with a ‘28 Pontiac grill shell.  Installed as well when purchased and again with help of many here is a stovebolt 6 “splasher” or “low pressure ” babbitt engine.  Behind the stovebolt resides an early 30’s Chevy three speed with a freewheel unit.  As I’ve researched online I’ve seen that Chevrolet began using this basic engine design in 1929.  The gentleman I purchased the vehicle from shared that he had acquired the chassis and transmission from the same individual but not as a unit.  The chassis has what appears to me to be Huck brakes based upon the research I’ve been able to accomplish online.  I’m beginning to suspect that the chassis is not a Pontiac but actually a similar vintage Chevrolet based upon the Huck brakes as well as the scenario in which the chassis was acquired.  Where on an early ‘30’s Chevy or potentially Pontiac chassis might I look to find a chassis number or other identifying characteristics to identify the actual chassis I have here?

As well, there is a homemade adapter between the early “30’s Chevy three speed and the stovebolt, unless Chevy changed the bellhousing bolt pattern during the course of the Stovebolt production run, it would seem I should be able to find a bellhousing that would mate those two units together?

Thank you to all who have been of help identifying the components here!
 

 

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

12 hours ago, sagefinds said:

I'm sure this hood is of the 26-28 era Pontiac,whether they all took the same is unknown. It has the ridge down the center,about 6" wide in back,4 1/2" wide in front. The top panels are 34" front to back on top,35" at the side hinge,side panels 34 1/2" at the bottom,about 20 1/4" tall in front,20 3/4" in back. Does not have the handles or latches,not sure if it ever had them. Louvers are almost perfectly straight,a couple may need minor tweaking. Spots of surface rust but no heavy rust issues. If this hood was ever used,it wasn't for long. Like to get $325 plus shipping. Holler if interested.

That looks very promising!  Traveling this weekend, I’ll put a tape measure to the car to validate and reply back early next week.

thanks!

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

Bloo, appreciate the info!  A little bit of a disappointment as I was hopeful that it was an overdrive, but really not that much of a hindrance I guess in an open car!

 

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

Oops, sorry the upside down pics!

 😳 

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

More pics of the trans and Odrive? So possibly not an overdrive but just a freewheel unit?

thanks all!

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

Bloo, the car does freewheel when parked in all forward gears, found this out when I parked it in first gear and it wanted to roll away, the only gear which will hold the car stationary when parked is reverse.

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

3 hours ago, Bloo said:

Look for a little triangular cover plate on the block, along the pan rail, about halfway back. If it has the plate, it's low pressure oiling. If it does not, it is full pressure oiling.

 

Displacement can be trickier. The 1952 pickup should have had a 216 when built, and all of those are low pressure oiling.

 

I'd like to hear more about the overdrive.

 

 

 

Bloo, it was explained to me when I purchased the car that the lever on the left rear of the trans case engaged the overdrive, supposedly it would have been hooked to some type of actuating device, I’m assuming manually activated in some form.  I’ve only had the opportunity to drive the car about 1/4 mile as it’s not titled nor registered yet.  When you look at the trans in the image you can see what appears to be a second unit attached to the rear of the trans into which that forward facing lever on the left is attached.  I don’t have any additional hardware for the overdrive and I’ve not even had the car up on stands yet! 🙄

I’ll gladly report back when I learn more.

if anyone out there is familiar with this overdrive unit would be interested to hear!

[WTB 1930 Pontiac Roadster Windshield stanchions]

Need upper stanchions and related hardware for 1930 Pontiac roadster!

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

3 hours ago, keiser31 said:

Body looks to be a 1930 Pontiac....same lines. Radiator shell is definitely earlier as stated.

Thanks Keiser31, that’s what I was puzzled by as I researched online, that the rad shell didn’t match any of the images.

Appreciate the feedback!

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

3 hours ago, sagefinds said:

The radiator shell is 26-28 Pontiac. The pattern on the top of the cowl appears to match the top of the shell. The lines on the body don't match any Pontiacs in pictures of them in my books. I may have a hood for one of these if anyone needs one.

I might be interested in the hood, would need some measurements to determine if it could be made to work

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

3 hours ago, alsfarms said:

Looks like a fun project that probably runs down the road.....

What flavor of "Stovebolt" are we seeing? They are great engines!

I was told it came out of a 52 pickup, be interested to know if it’s a Babbitt engine or pressure oiling, not sure if that can be determined externally?

And yes it does run down the road, needs full electrical system and lighting installed.

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

3 hours ago, keiser31 said:

Body looks to be a 1930 Pontiac....same lines. Radiator shell is definitely earlier as stated.

 

5 hours ago, TAKerry said:

TROG car?

So yes, the fellow I acquired the car from built it for TROG event.  Elected to move on as he said they’ve cancelled the last several years.

[1930 Pontiac Roadster?]

Looking for help positively identifying the make and model of this roadster.  Said to have been built from from a 1930 Pontiac? 
When I’ve researched online doesn’t appear to match many of the photos out there.

It’s possible that the grill was not born with the body, same for chassis.
Currently has a Chevy stovebolt six installed along with matching three speed w/overdrive.

Thanks!

 

['29-32 Chevy (and many others) Parts for Sale in Hershey]

Looking for windshield stanchions for 1930 Pontiac roadster, possibly those that you have for 29-31 chev will work.  Do you still have??