Terry Bond

That would be a great addition - would love to see some of the tricks/techniques. I did the interior of our MGBGT and the sense of panic as I was installing the seat covers was amazing as I realized with the glue, it was a one-shot deal to get everything right, centered and without wrinkles. Worked out, but not anxious to do the next one. I wanted to get to Scott's but time conflicts precluded that - maybe the thought of doubling up some of then wouldn't be too bad. I've never seen anything opposite the judging schools so that might be some time for those who don't need to attend them. Terry

Interesting topic - and one that I believe might make a great seminar for the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Actually at one time I know the Library was looking at providing some restoration/conservation technology resource informaton. There are a lot of us who would love to know how to do this as well as "iron" folded paper, unravel damaged catalogs, or remove stains from early artwork and documents. At least knowing where to get it done would be a great thing. I've used a guy in PA for several years now who has been a real wizard at removing water stains, foxing, etc, from early prints and lithographs. It's supposedly not difficult and has been suprisingly inexpensive. I acquired some early sales catalogs from the Austin Automobile Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan years ago. Glossy pages were stuck together. Still got them, so am axious to see what comes form this thread. Terry

Sorry you missed it Steve. Lotsa neat early stuff. When I was researching this I uncovered so much material it was difficult to narrow it down, so ended up with some pre WWI stuff, highlighting some significant develoments from steam powered to Indian and Harley. An interesting twist was how Indian was so closely tied to several other companies - Warwick, Thor, and even the Keating Wheel Company - who successfully sued Indian in 1917 for their claim to be the first American built motorcycle. There was a new book available from McFarland about the Keating wheel company and it had some of the info regarding that. Like cars there were many twists and turns. I just did a very condensed version of this for our own club and it was very well received. I think one of the things to look for in developing the future seminar schedules for Philly will be a good mix of core semnars (Region/Chapter Offers training, Judging, Newsletters, Meet/tour and other activity info and then a mix of interesting/informative/entertaining seminars. It'll be a challenge but I think a greater focus on mix and content will keep them fresh and lively. Let me now if you need any additional thought - and I also thought perhaps the Museum could embark on a series of rolling seminars on a variety of topics. I note that the Gilmore Museum has some interesting things scheduled. Pray for sunshine - can't wait to get to Puerto Rico! Terry

Does anyone know what became of the car that Bill Sablom once had? He moved south to Elizabeth City NC years ago, and was selling off a garage full of stuff. I know I bought some automobilia and brass age parts from him, and recall looking over his McFarlan. It was a yellow tourer, believe 1925. Had a nice pair of Testophone horns mounted on the sides. Bill seems to have moved on but I never learned what became of the car. I know he sold an Armstrong Siddley also. Terry

Time to turn this thread around and talk about the weekend in Philly. It was another great time. Tidewater Region had about 43 members there, four receiving awards. Did everyone see the blue sweat-shirts promoting our upcoming National Meet? Did everyone catch the cheers Saturday evening when our folks were recognized? What a great group - and next year we're going to try to break that record and see if we can get 50 coming up from Tidewater. Reports are that everyone really enjoyed the seminars, the food was great as it always is, the hotel was great and very accommodating, and what more can be said about Mike Jones and his team for putting together another amazing event. Big thanks of course to the entire HQ Staff and folks like West Peterson, Chris Ritter, and the museum team as well. Dave Berg did another great job at the Friday night auction and help raise a significant sum again this year. The new "buy-it-now" format for some items seemed very popular. I've spoken with several other clubs who are struggling with their own annual meetings and I'm convinced that having this in our regular familiar location, plus all those great seminars, makes our Annual Meeting the envy of the hobby. Keep up the great work, and we'll see you next time. I've already been asked for a "Part Two" on my early motoryclce history seminar, so we'll see what happens. Terry

Great job and a big tip-of-the-cap goes to all the HQ staff for helping make the Annual Meeting such a success. Glad to see the seminars are getting some early attention for next year. While there is certainly a core of important seminars like membership, training for new officers, etc. there is a lof of great stuff out there that's eagerly awaited. Sometimes it's hard to make a choice. I believe it's these great seminars that keeps our Philly expereience so great. Terry

Thats a cool postcard. I've got seven binders full of antique car postcards -been collecting for more than 25 years but have only a few CDO photo-type. Steve is the expert and it shouldn't take him too long to pick up on this thread to comment on the chronology of the wheels. I do believe the staggared spoke with wooden wagon-wheel style hub was used first tho. I visited Bill Calimer's shop a couple of years ago and he was making a set for someone and was showing me the staggared spoke and hub arrangements. Terry

Thanks for your quick response. Once I blew up the scan of #1 it quickly became evident the radiator shape was not correct for an Argyle. Interesting though that when I saw that photo in the Glen Esk museum (lager version of the postcard) it led me to the remains of an Argyle. Uncanny connection I guess. So wonder what this car really was and where it ended up? Could be a treasure-hunt in the making. The radiator shape closely resembles picture #4. Will take a closer look thru the other postcards and see what turns up. Terry

At last I've gone through my collection of antique postcards and come up with what I believe are a few Argyle images. I started collecting cards when we were living in Scotland, so a lot of the cards in my collection are European. I have hundreds covering all types including real photo (as these are) as well as humor, artist signed, series, etc.etc. I believe there are a few comic postcards done photograph style that also used an Argyle and I'll dig those out and scan. Ok eagle-eyes-are these really Argyle cars? The car shown under the Archway is the car that was discovered still surviving (in pieces) years later. Terry

Nice item! I've seen these around so don't believe they are exceptionally rare, but just scarce enough to create interest among serious badge collectors. There have been a few examples sold at auction, Bonhams may have a reference to one they sold about a year ago. They are commonly believed to be member badges from an early French motoring club. I'm not able to find any detail about the club itself but the translation is loosely -View from the Wheel. It may have been a member badge or may have been used to commemorate some events. I'm not certain the 1903 represents a date unless it commemorates the year the member owning it joined the club. If you can read French, the internet may be a good source of info. I know that a couple of well known automobilia dealers have offered them in the $400 range, but a quick look at some ebay results show one selling as low as 77 Euros, and another in the $100+ range. Enjoy the research and share what you come up with. Terry

Thanks to all shipmates everywhere, especially those still in harms way! Interesting experience this year at work - there is one other vet her working with me, a Recon Marine. We were treated to an "appreciation day" in the conference room this year. Some drinks and goodies that were much appreciated. But, highlight was when were asked to tell a little bit about our service. It's hard to condense 23 years into a few sentences, but once we had both given our little summaries - the questions began to flow and we were there more than an hour. People were really interested in what, when and where, especially our take on current events in the military community. We're involved in recruitment for a large healthcare company in a Navy town so we're seeing a trenendous military exodus right now due to budget cuts, high-year tenure, etc.etc. Thankfully we're able to provide employment opportunities for those skilled, deserving vets. We've pushed to get our company certified with the Virginia Values Veteran's program and stand to double our pledge of hiring veterans during this year. We're proud of what we're doing for our brothers and sisters in uniform, and we appreciate the support of everyone who puts their hands together when our vets stand proudly when introduced at our national meets. thanks to all for your service and your support. It means so much! terry

Wow, check this out - item #331333485617. Didn't realize they were that rare. I'm going right out to the garage to take them off my cars and put them into my inside-secure display case! Might up the insurance too! Isn't it amazing. Terry

Sorry for the delay in responding - I was saddened to learn of Sterling's passing. I knew him well, from back when Susan and I were transplanted to the Baltimore Md area by the USN. We joined Chesapeake Region and are still members. Sterling was one of the first people we met, and made us feel welcome. Sterling was a true gentleman, and I always admired his collections, his gentle nature and his fascination with early auto history. He had many friends in the hobby and will be missed a lot. Terry

The Great Smith that was in Maryland was owned by the late Murrell Smith, a former AACA National Director and member of the Chesapeake Region. Not sure where the car went but I know it was sold. Perhaps someone from Chesapeake Region can recall where it went. At least the might be able to reach Murrell's son to learn more about it. You can contact Chesapeake Region AACA through their website. I recommend contacting their President Gary Wilmer. Contact information is at the website below: http://www.chesapeakeaaca.org/pages/organization/electedofficers/default.html

See you there! Susan and I just made reservations also. We'll be ready for a break!

Got any early auto related sheet music?

Hey I remember that place - used to be an old B&B I think. Last time we were there I noticed they were working on it. Think we'll check it out - see you there. Terry

Spark plugs? Ok, I'll be there Rich! Drop by and visit us at GCC 5-6. We're over in front of the Giant Center, just across from the crab cake vendor and near the AACA membership shed and merchandise sales area there. Come over and sit a spell, talk old car stuff, leave your heavy juque while you are wandering, or spend some dollars so I can buy more spark plugs, etc. Got a few interesting early automobilia items you'll want to see, and listed to the stories of course. Here's my usual schedule - will set up Tuesday. Will try hard to sell something Wed. Susan and I will be splitting the store-keep duties until I make enough money to go buy something, then we're closing so we can swap the money for more stuff - after-all,, it is a "swap meet." We'll be back later in the afternoon if you catch us on a shopping expedition. Always eager to show off my discoveries and am anxious to see yours too. Pray for sunshine! Terry

You didn't indicate the time of year you're going. That has a lot to do with the activities that might be available to you. Check with the Chesapeake Region AACA for info on their activities. They are very busy and there is always something going on. There are a lot of other things going on in that area as well and there are many car clubs in the DC area, so pic your favorite marque and search the web. If you don't visit the Smithsonian Air and Space museum at Dulles you're missing a great thing - not antique car related but a major attracting. You'll spend a week in the Smithsonian, but their car display isn't the main thing there. If you are including Philly as you suggested in your initial post put the Simeone Museum on your list. Amazing! Chesapeake Region AACA: http://www.chesapeakeaaca.org/ Simeone Museum, Philly: http://simeonemuseum.org/ You're only a few hours south of the AACA Museum at Hershey also. Don't hesitate to ask AACA members to join their activities, even if you are driving modern. I'm sure you'd find everyone quite welcoming, even if you wanted to tag along on an old car tour. We often have folks driving modern join the tail end of some of our club tours. Terry

What a fantastic weekend!!! We got in late yesterday, a bit of rain coming down from Richmond Va but otherwise a great trip. We felt like we were literally a part of history. Laps of the new track were exciting, and to be among the front of the pack of over 130 other MGs was a thrill. Scenery was amazing, the wineries were fabulous, the hotel was perfect, the Friday night street party was a thrill, the food, the roads, etc.etc.etc.....it was a perfect weekend in the Glen! We spent time at the Senaca Lodge visiting with friends from Richmond and encountered a couple of AACA members during the weekend so there was also plenty of time to talk about brass cars, autombilia, etc. I think a highlight was running the old course. That last turn, also known as Milikens Corner when we first come into the village itself was thrilling. As we rounded the corner we were met with hundres of cheering fans waving, taking pictures, and waving flags. Getting to run the course twice was really exciting and was an unforgettable moment. We spent time Saturday (cool and misty) at the new track watching some racing, mingling in the Paddock area with drivers, mechanics and owners, and then toured some wineries. Sunday, we spent at full day at the track enjoying sights, sounds, smells and the comradarie among the race drivers. What a fantastic chance to see these cars close up and kick tires (oops, that's TYRES) with the owners! We watched the Kimber Cup and Collier Cup races featuring MGs and it was amazing to see some rare MGS running the track in at full throttle. I'll get some pics downloaded later this evening or tomorrow as we still need to unolad the MG and get into our boxes of stuff. Without doubt, it was one of the most exciting old car weekends we've ever experienced. Now, with Hershey just on the horizon, it's going to be a wonderful fall old car season for us! Terry

I try to get at least one evening dedicated to cleaning things up, maybe even polishing some brass, making some transmission band adjustments, tightening things down, etc. Cleaning day is a social occasion all by itself. Those parking lot evenings are priceless. Back to the original question - I love hotels with wastebins made entirely of one piece plastic. Makes a nice wash bucket! I supply my own chemicals and don't use hotel towels, but I do like the Speed Shine that Griot's Garage sells. It's even available at Advance Auto Parts. I've got some matte finish rubber spray by Mcguires that makes tires look great. My favorite brass polish is Semichrome. Save the Windex for the windows. I know of at least one car guy who uses Pledge furniture polish. When I asked him if he preferred "lemon Pledge" he nearly threw the can at me! Despite that one evening of cleaning it still took me a whole weekend to get the T spruced up again after the Reliability Tour. Next outing is our own regional show "Wings and Wheels" at the Virginia Beach Aviation Museum. It's also the site of our 2015 AACA National Meet - you'll love it! Terry

I'd be honored to have contributed something to your archive so feel free to copy. I tried to do some research on this piece and learned that Whitehead and Hoag did not produce many bookmarks so this must be a pretty scarce item. I know of one other similar bookmark advertising a Ford dealership in the UK. I wonder how many other car manufacturers might have been represented among their production? I will try get that postcard scanned for you, and I may have a couple of others too. Terry

Good to see this thread surfacing again. I've been remiss in not scanning the postcard that I promised so long ago. I'll try and get at it once we get a little spare time. Meanwhile I do have this wonderful advertising book mark that I found shortly after this thread originally appeared. It's celluloid bookmark and is very fragile. Amazing it survived all those years. I was trying to research the possible date on this and from what I've learned the company who produced this (Whitehead and Hoag) were only in business in the UK a brief time. I believe this to be a 1908/1909 piece - can you help me with a more accurate guess? thanks, Terry

Any other AACA members headed to Watkins Glen this coming week for the Vintage Grand Prix? Susan and I are taking the 1948 MGTC up to partake of the activities. We're looking forward to touring in the area, driving the old (and new) courses, seeing all the great cars and racing, and kicking tires with all the other MG folks who will be there. MG is the featured marque this year so we are going to be there with the right car. 1948 was the first year and the MGTC started it all. We're also looking forward to some refreshment at the Senaca Lodge to talk vintage MGs. See you there? Here is a link just to get you excited - http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/8259176/nascar-drive-original-watkins-glen

See you there Bob. Bring spark plugs! Terry