Terry Bond

What do you think - I recently looked at what amounts to a pile of parts. It started life as a car I am pretty sure I knew of back in the 1980s. It's a 1935 Morris. I've got the companion car in nice condition, and there are not many in the USA that I know of. The car was dismantled in the 1980s but not much has ever been done to it except move it around and loose parts (wheels, headlamps, every nut and bolt that came off it (Whitworth), and a lot of small stuff. At some point it had a replacement engine added to the mix (unknown condition, and not correct). For the last several years, it's literally been spread around a Virginia farm, much of it ourdoors. The body (what is left of it) is useless except for perhaps a patch panel or two if ever needed. The rear end is there but condition is unknown (was a well used car when I last saw it complete). Same for transmission. Other sheet metal (fenders, etc) are in rough condition with only one front and one rear that "might" be restorable. In essence it was an "American Pickers" type adventure climbing over, under, around and through overgrown weeds, sheds, barns, etc. trying to find stuff. I'm guessing the car is only about half there and that may be an optimistic estimate. The current owner is a neat car guy who just wants to pass it along to a good home. He has an amazing collection of stuff that we enjoyed looking through - but as for what remains of the poor old Morris, I don't need any of it. Nothing there upgrades anything I've already got either on the car or packed away in the parts dept. I'm trying to talk myself out of it, but at the same time, the inner old-car lover wants to embark on a "rescue mission" just to get the stuff under control and stashed away. I know there is little market for it, don't know of anyone who is restoring one and might need a good frame, and if I ever need one I've got bigger trouble that just that! I wouldn't offer much on the basis that I'm just going to rescue what is left, I'm thinking just a few hundred bucks based on the value of the rear end, transmission and some misc parts like a decent looking gas tank and a restorable fender or two. So, what would you do? Let it stay down on the farm or try to rescue what's left? Terry

Gives you a good feel for the impact of inflation at that time. My 1914 T Instruction Manual has a yellow tag inserted - "Due to the limited supply of speedometers, some cars were not fitted with them during assembly. If your car did not come with one, you are entitled to a $6.00 credit." Looks the price went up a bit, or perhaps things were just more expensive when purchased through the parts dept. That doesn't happen today - does it? Terry

The Hershey trash-can search was always fascinating to see. I've retrieved a few pieces from nearby over the years. One year over in the white field, a nearby vendor decided to just retire and tossed a box of dog-bone radiator caps, motometer wings, etc into the trash can. Retrieved them pretty quicily and a couple of them are still up in one of my showcases. A friend of mine had a neighbor leave behind a frame for an early Maxwell (1908?). We couldn't figure out how to get it home so just left it. Saw a whole hundle of NOS stainless trim dumped one year. Most of it still had original GM tags/parts numbers still attached. That load went quickly. Hershey is an amazing experience!

Awesome - congrats! Proudly displayed!!! Terry

I don't know how each year manages to top the previous. I collect a lot of stuff and over the week managed to add great items to a lot of different categories. Found some nice T parts for my 1915 Panel truck project, picked up some superb automobilia including another piece of Royal Doulton, a wonderful early tobacco humidor in the shape of a chauffeur's head, a small collection of original advertising pins, a couple of emblems, some brass era accessories including a nice early clock, some parts I needed for an early lamp, a few pieces of sheet music, accessory catalogs, and best of all, an item I'd been searching for since 1982 - the correct horn for my antique motorcycle. I'm trying to rearrange my display cases to fit it all in. A wonderful week it was!!! Terry

Keith - Saw a cute bumper sticker on a Jeep yesterday - reminds me of your post. "Not everyone who wanders aimlessly is really lost." Terry

Dave- that's fantstic! What year is your mud? I claim to be the first and perhaps only guy who ever sold mud at Hershey! Back in 76, the year of the "big one" I scooped up a jar of mud and put a label on it - genuine souviner from 1976. It was displayed on my swap meet space for many years but eventually someone started trying to buy it. After the second or third year in a row I finally asked the guy how he knew it was for real. His response - "if it was fake you'd have sold it to me the first time I asked." Well, we settled on a price and it's got a new home somewhere. Wish I had it back, or would like to find out who bought it to see if it's still around. Think this year I'll capture some Hershey sunshine! Terry

Believe these are earlier. I recommend you get a few catalogs from Model T Parts suppliers, like Langs, Snyders, etc. They all have detailed parts drawings, etc. that will help you figure it out. You'll also need some of the Model T Reference books these dealers sell as several of them also have detailed drawings of various top assemblies with full demisions. That'll keep you straight. If you are going to Hershey you'll find plenty of T stuff there to look at. Even some of the cars on show Saturday will provide great reference so be sure to bring your camera! Terry

Smelly situation indeed!

First trip was 1970 and missed darned few since then. I'll be in GCC 5-6 again this year-across from the crab cake vendor in front of the Giant Center. Drop in and visit and don't forget to bring old spark plugs for me. Susan is always eager to talk about MGs too, so catch us if you can. If we're not there we're out trying to find more treasure. When we're there, there is always some brass stuff and interesting items on the table. I'll have some extras from my automotive sheet music collection too. Can't wait-pray for sunshine! Terry & Susan

A great reference piece like that belongs in the AACA Library and Reserch Center for sure. Please consider them if you are trying to find a good home for it. Thanks, Terry

Lord Montegue of Beaulieu passed away on Monday at age 88. He founded the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and was responsibile for creating their great Autojumble - the Hershey of Great Britain. He did much for the vintage car hobby in the UK and like his father, will long be remembered as one of the greats in our hobby. It's been years since I've been there, but memories of that place and the British way of organizing a swap meet will forever be with me. Terry

Nope, according to some of the posts on the T forum, he has been contacted and asked about the price and he claims to have already sold three of them at that price! If he wants to go in the business I've got some already painted, and he coud make a fortune at Hershey by buying up all the wheels! Amazing.

Did anyone notice the Model A wheel on ebay for $2500? I first saw mention of it in a posting on the Model T Ford club forum. Item number is 151400305051. At that price, for four wheels and a spare you could get a whole car thrown in the deal. This is almost as bad as the tire pump I saw recently for $1400. Quite entertaining.

MOST IMPORTANT - Don't you dare forget your camera. Take lots of pictures and post some here when you are done. If it's your first event, you will want to create some long-lasting memories. Just the other day I was looking at some pics of our very first car show as a participant in Rockville Maryalnd back in I believe 1970. We drove a friend's Model A Ford as he couldn't make it and wanted to at least have the car there. It was an experience that lasted forever - who knows where things will end up! Terry

Glad everyone made it home ok. It was a very moving service. I'll forever remember the time we served together on the AACA Board. Jim and I often traded phone calls dicussing stuff. He was one of those guys you could confide in, talk with, and bounce stuff around with. I' can still here his voice in my mind and fondly recall riding with him and Sharon on tour. He will be missed by many! Terry

Thanks Tyler-can't believe you've not posted before! Am glad it ended up where you can help Dan play with it. It's a neat car and Neil Sugermeyer can help you withi plenty of advice as his original HPOF 31 is an amazing time-capsule. The dirt isn't original so get rid of it (carefully). No high-pressure water and would recommend a special auto cleaning product. For all who don't know, Tyler is one of our younger members here in Tidewater Region - drives (and works on) a 1924 Model T Roadster, owned by one of our clubs earliest members who sadly passed away recently. Tyler serves on the region Board of Directors and loves the earlier cars, so am glad to see this great orignal casr ended up where it did. Enjoy - and we'll see you on the next Square Car Tour with it. Terry

Yes, Pontiac suffered from some bad management and got stuck with the Aztec. Buick's version of the same car wasn't too bad, but that awful Aztec likely contributed significantly to the demise of a great car company. Iv'e heard it said often, even from some GM execs, that if Pontiac had done with the reintroduced GTO what Ford had done with the Mustang, they would sill be around. Long live the GTO. Shame Pontiac had to go the way it did. Terry

What great salesmen you have there! Talked me into it I do believe. Will they be available at Hershey? Only problem I'll have is what to do with all the paper copies. Terry

Just heard the F.A.R.T.S are planning to visit the Va Beach Military Aviation Museum (site of our recent National Meet) on a forthcoming tour. Don't have much info but would like to find more on their schedule so we can see the cars, visit, etc. Maybe we could arrange some of our club members to be there to great them? Does anyone know where the tour will be based. Terry

Perfect place to tour! My old stompin grounds actually - grew up in Battle Creek and went to school in Kalamazoo. Throughly enjoyed the Glidden there a couple of years ago. Amazing how many of those sights I missed growing up - guess my focus at the time was muscle cars and pretty girls. Still got one of each! Terry

This is the priming set-up on my 1912 Triumph motorcycle. To prime the engine, swing the little arm over the top of the cup. Open the cup, and using a needle valve mounted above the priming arm on top of the fuel tank, just open it enough to put a few drops into the cup. It helps with starting, just be sure to close the cup. Terry

Got the wrong ad for the Aeco plug - they made a primer and this ad explans how it works.

Right Bob, a neat thing to collect. I know one of our old spark plug collecting friends from NJ, Dick Newkirk has been specializing in selling odd priming cups. We see him at gas engine shows and swap meets including Hershey. Always a nice place to stop and visit. Here are a few priming spark plugs: The Champion was the most commonly sold primnig style plug and was often used in Model Ts. The all brass All In One plug is a nea piece with the base cast from a single piece-including the priming cup. Terry

I believe he posted these for sale on ebay with a rather strong opening bid. Don't believe they sold so might still be available. These are nice mags but the covers are the best part of them. They are not in the same league as Motor of the same era. I bought a good run of them a couple of years ago and paid around $10-15 per copy. Love the advertising in them. Terry