Terry Bond

Not a really rare item. I think about $75-100 would be tops in this condition. If for use on a car it needs some work, and for a show-car, even more, like pitting filled and replating. Not a cheap undertaking. It's worth less for someone who needs to spend a lot for restoration. Terry

Congratulations Joe, I'm sure you'll have a load of fun with it. Terry

Not sure how common this is but we've seen it occurring more often recently - first was a guy who collected antique fire engines. Nice, popular and well received, except one neighbor complained they were not appropriate in a residential community parked along the street. So, the guy had to move them to a friends farm. Now, we have a story in the daily newspaper about a Veteran who decided to collect military vehicles - big ones. Although properly licensed as antiques, these vehicles were too big for the neighborhoods they were in. Apparently zoning laws take precedence, and it doesn't matter how patriotic, kid-friendly, or whether it's antique or not. Seems odd that we have two incidents so close together and am wondering if there is a trend elsewhere. It could bring unwanted scrutiny to our hobby. Terry

Here is a link to an article about the Jones Live Map, which appeared in the brass era. I believe this is what Steve is referring to. Interesting device, and they do occasionally show up for sale at Hershey. While not really "GPS" it was an early effort to help motorists find their way. http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2012/02/04/history/post-perspective/gps-1909.html Terry

Nice looking car but those "small dents" have the potential to hide some expensive damage. Terry

It's a nice looking car in the photos. Of course there are a few items that stand out to me as not authentic, and I note it has an aftermarket transmission fitted - can't tell if it's a Ruxtell or perhaps a Warford. That horn mounted on the driver side is not Model T, and someone has jazzed it up a bit with a natural wood finish steering wheel rather than the correct black painted one. Aftermarket water pump fitted and I'm curious about that fat red wire strung up on the firewall (which should be painted black). I'm sure some of the other T guys watching could find some other items of concern, but it does have the correct wheels and I like the aftermarket spare tires. May we ask how much money is involved? Of course if you've done some homework you'll be able to come up with a pretty good idea. OldFord is right-there are darned few of them that are 100%, and it all depends on what you intend to do with it. If you are going for awards there is one set of criteria you'll want to look at, but like has been said before, if it's what you've been looking for and it runs well, buy it and enjoy. This weekend has been pretty nice here and the local Model T club had a mini-tech session at a members home where we learned how to check clearances on bearings and how to deal with some common problems. There was a good turnout and among the group was a fairly new member who had recently acquired a 1915 T and had been anxious to talk with other T guys to diagnose some problems. He got a lot of good advice and now knows how to proceed to make the car run great so he can enjoy it. That's the beauty of having a T - there is a great support network. Terry

October 15 date code on the block represents the casting date, and that probably doesn't make it a 1915. If you provide the engine serial number we can more precisely date the car for you. An October 15 cast engine would probably have sat around for a couple of months before actually being numbered and put into a car. By the time the engine was used, the 1916 cars were out so most likely the car is a 1916 model. Still, the early ones were not much different than the 1915s. Most likely the car was titled as a 1915 because that's the date that was stamped on the engine. If the car was USA made, it was probably issued a Canadian title when it came into the country, and rather than go to the trouble of checking serial numbers, the date cast on the block was easiest to use. See if you can post some pictures and don't forget also to post something on the Model T Ford club discussion forums as well. Lots of help available. Terry

The signature could be Mallard - an interesting thing I've learned, and it was the late Bill Williams who first told me - even back when these things were new and readily available to early motorists, a neat mascot would be copied. I've seen "knock-offs" of some great mascots and they were produced in the teens and twenties. So, it's certainly possible to have a genuine old mascot that's a reproduction of an original (does that make sense?). The lack of detail in this one though causes me to lean towards reproduction. I can remember the London street markets being filled with reproductions of all kinds of thing. Markets that were popular tourist traps like Portabello Road were full of reproduction stuff, but off the main path markets that were not frequented by tourists were a real pickers paradise. Perhaps we should start a thread to talk about our adventures antique hunting. Maybe somebody should make a TV show out of it!!!!!

Us Dodge ram fans stick together!

It's actually a pretty well know accessoryi mascot, but may be a fairly recent reproduction. Originals are French by the sculptor C.H. Millard. It would be circa early 1920s and came in two versions, this one with the stylized "butterly" wings and one without wings. A lot of different mascots were available and you could put any of them on any car you wanted. It's not a mascot for a specific car. Too bad it's been filled with brass. Perhaps someone thought it would make a nice paperweight and the mounting stud wasn't necessary? There have been a lot of these early French mascots reproduced and sold on ebay in the past several years, carefully aged to look old, and this may one of them. It is a fairly crude casting and lacks the detail and definition of the originals. There is one pictured in the reference book "Accessory Mascots" by Dan Smith. Terry

My guess is its made to hold a mirror or maybe a spotlight. Many of them have a clamp that goes onto a windshield post for an open car as the example below is, and for a closed car, the bracket screws on over a stud, the large nut would be to lock it on to the stud so it didn't vibrate off. The rest of the mirror goes into the open end, and the thumbscrew tightens everything down. Here is an example in brass with the clamp mount. Cant seem to find an example that is mounted on a stud. Terry

This is what will hurt those who do abide by the law. Terry

Thought you might enjoy this pic that my wife Susan sent to me-supposed to be the first Dodge Ram.

Indeed, a good newsletter makes a great club. Have been beating that drum since I conducted my first newsletter seminar in Philadelphia many years ago. Whether it's web or snail-mail, members are always anxious to see their photos, learn about the activities, see what they missed, and see their names in print. I've always said that folks read it three times - first is a quick scan to see if they are in there. Second time is a look at the words to see what is said about them (of if they got forgotten about) and the third time is a more detailed look at what others are doing and what the next events might be. You've got to excite them about belonging, and they will share with others and certainly help attract members. We have newsletters available to hand out at our various events and it does attract members. Over the years we've had a lot members who worked odd shifts, were periodically deployed with Navy assignments, or could not do much except enjoy their newsletters. Sometimes (years later even) when time and schedule permits, they swing into action and have even taken on leadership roles in the club. The newsletter is obviously a great retention tool. John, you are right-on and sorry it took me so long to respond. Terry

For those anxious and wondering - the Model t ford forum has a couple of posts with pictures. This is what I like to see-stuff on the tables, for sale in the swap meet, etc. It makes me wish I was there! Terry http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/708324/737716.html?1490024080

I started a thread on the AACA site here a while back when I first spotted the issue on the Model T club forum. A lot of the people who attended the event previously were Model T folks as well as AACA and HCCA members. Although I've never been to the event, I'd always heard it was really great and unique. I had hopes of being able to attend someday as Michigan is my home state and where I first fell in love with early cars. However, it now looks like the powers that be are trying to kill the event. I don't know why they just didn't cancel it outright rather than trying to institute those crazy changes to squeeze it into what they wanted. So, it indeed looks like there is interest growing in holding a similar kind of event in a new location and I'm glad to see that. They can do what they want there but certainly can't kill the enthusiasm of these old car folks! I hope everything works out and an alternative location is arranged. Maybe I'll get there someday but have no plans to try and attend the event at HF that's for sure. Terry

We should have some attendees chime in anytime now. I also watch the Model T club forum as they are usually among the first to post photos and stories of their bargains, etc. Terry

Just added to your other post.

Well after just a quick glance and quicker response, I realize there was something odd about the picture - that's an updraft carburetor and not Model T. I'm not sure of the specific application for it. Once we figure out what it's for, it might lead to a more accurate guestimate on value. Terry

A good idea is to check ebay to see asking/selling prices for them. You might want to post it also on the model T club forum by-sell section. Terry

Used to be a regular at the Chesapeake Region swap meet. I can recall some of the first years when it was held in a car dealership. I always had a space inside one of the buildings, think it was number 2. Had prime real-estate there next to an electric outlet so I could plug in a small heater to keep my toes warm, otherwise, it was often a cold event. I think the outside vendors were better off, especially when the sun was out. It was a great event that continued to grow and grow, eventually filling the outside (open) buildings. I can recall helping staple plastic up to help keep the wind from blowing through. The pots of soup, chili, and the hot dogs, and goodies were always a highlight and really helped keep us warm. Lots of great memories there. Used to come up on Friday, set up my stuff in the evening and stay with friends overnight. Years ago we decided to host our own swap meet here in the Norfolk area and guess who was chairman? A couple of years after we started, the date had to change because of prior rental of our facility and we've basically been on the same weekend as Chesapeake Region's event ever since. Well, I handled that job for over 25 years and this year was my "retirement" and am turning over the reins to another club member who is a real flea market guy who will do well with it. We've been through a couple of location changes over the years and are now at a great spot - the Virginia Beach Aviation Museum. Maybe the dates will get sorted out so I can once again do both events. Some of the best flea market discoveries I ever had were at that Chesapeake region event though. I still consider it one of the best (next to ours of course). Terry

They go back many years and were often supplied by car dealers with purchase of a new car or by garages. I have a few in my collections of collections with dealer names or car manufacturer logos on them. Small brushes were known as "upholstery brushes" and used simply to sweep off seat cushions. There are others that look more like shoe-shine brushes that can be found with advertising for gas and oil companies, tire manufacturers, and of course car dealerships.

I must repeat a story I've told before to many folks. While my heart is in the brass age, and stretches to the muscle car era, I vividly recall being stuck in traffic on a multi-lane road headed home after a tough day at the office. I noticed a lane or two over, several cars ahead of me, the rear end of a shiny maroon Chrysler Mini-van with the woodgrain applique. As traffic moved and I got closer, it became obvious what I was looking at was indeed a first generation, circa 1984 Chrysler Mini-van with a beautiful paint job, fantastic woodgrain, and looking very much like it belonged on a showfield. Memories flooded back - my late father-in-law had bought one of those first year vans and our family has owned a steady succession of them ever since! As I got closer to it, I realized it was being piloted by a young lady. As I drew along side of it, I rolled down my windows and gave her a big thumbs up. She rolled down her window and told me it was the family van and she had inherited it, had it repainted and was keeping it 100% original. As the light changed, she said "someday it'll be an antique" and I shouted "AACA" to her. I never saw it again, but it was at least a thrill to see it. Yes indeed, they belong on our showfield, and thanks for AACA's 25 year rule for bringing them out for us to see, and allowing/encouraging younger folks to get into the hobby. Bring-em on. And thanks to Tom for stepping to the plate. Terry

Welcome to the forum! You are just a bit south of us here in the Tidewater Va area and we have been known to frequent the New Bern area frequently too! There is a thriving antique car club there - a region of our national AACA, in fact there are a couple of regions close by. Check the AACA Website for a complete list of regions and chapters in North Carolina and you'll find contact information there. I'm not sure how many Brush owners are around but they will know, and there is also a lot of early car knowledge among members. I think there are a lot of basics to understand about brass age vehicles in general that you can learn about. Opportunities to share the hobby are what makes this great. You can also find information about the North Carolina Region of Horseless Carriage Club. There is an active touring group that covers your part of North Carolina. If you go to the Horseless club website you'll find contact info for Natalie Weaver who might be able to put you into contact with other Brush owners. Highly recommend you join AACA and make use of their great library and research center to get information about your car. Terry

What a great bright sunny day it was today at the Va Beach Aviation Museum. Despite chilly temps, the sunshine made up for a little early morning shivering and by 9Am the event was in full swing. This year a larger number of vendors offered stuff from 1900s up to modern performance parts. There were cars for sale, and parts, garage equipment, tools, collectibles, and just about anything to do with the old car hobby. We had tables there also promoting some local clubs including street rod, the recently formed Model T club, the local MG and Mercedes club, and of course Tidewater Region and AACA. There was a good crowd all day and vendors reported good sales, and we saw some happy customers carrying home their new treasures. This event signals the beginning of the old car season here and as a swap meet and a great social occasion, it's been tremendously successful over the years. This year with about 75 vendor spots sold ahead of time, it was a good sized event and everyone had a great time. Of course the setting at the Aviation Museum was fantastic and draws a good crowd itself. The staff of volunteers had planes moved out of one hanger by 630 Am so our inside vendors could begin setting up early so they deserve a big thanks for helping make things a success. Our club volunteers always excel too! See you same time, same spot next year and check out region website for more pics from the event. Pics and info should be posted as soon as possible. http://www.traaca.com/