Terry Bond

Be sure to post photos!!!!! Gotta see what might have missed. Still would like to get there but still need to figure out how to be in 3x places at the same time! Terry

This one is looking for its mate. I have had this for a few years now and have been searching for the other one to make a pair (left and right). I've seen a couple of them the same side as mine, and one that needed new glass not easy on this one with the curved and beveled lens! This lamp seems to never have been used. It is completely original with pristine silver plating inside. The chimney and burner are absolutely soot-free and show no signs of ever having been lit. Of course finding a NOS mate for it might be difficult, but the hunt continues. Photos are pre-polishing it with a little semi-chrome polish and a soft cloth. Last photo is after polishing. Terry

I know the internet has had an impact on swap meets, but there still seems to be a lot of people who prefer to touch the parts and dicker in person. It's the social aspect that is often missing. It's just great to meet and visit with others at a good old fashioned swap meet. Terry

There are a lot of smaller clubs that are starting up their own little swap meets, and they are always fun. We've been doing our own AACA Region swap meet for years. See the swap meet forum for photos and a report I posted. Sorry the swap meet forum is kinda tucked away, but here is an example of a neat item I bought at this year's event. It's an unusual early turn-signal, never-used condition. See you in Luray for the Pre-War Swap Meet in May. Terry

That's one of my favorites also West. The Boat-tailed Packard is very well done. Hard to identify most cars illustrated on them so when you know and can relate to the car-even better. Here's another one recently acquired- French and I'm pretty sure the car is a De Dion Bouton. The music is dated 1904. Hard to imagine it's lasted so long in such nice condition. Terry

My feeling too Gary. Most AACA show guys are pretty considerate, but even the best plan will go hay-wire when somebody decides to park sideways or lower the awning to have a big party. 😊

Yuck.

UK manufactured of course - automotive. With the mounting bracket on the side, it's most like a lamp for a small car that used these mounted on the side of the body, bracketed near where the windshield frame attached. Two of them would have been used, one on each side. They are aftermarket accessory items. Now aware of any supplied as original equipment on cars unless something was done for export. Not Rolls Royce. Interesting how the fancy magnifying lens has been added. Not sure that's original though. I'd say it's around 1912 or so when electric lighting became more common on cars. Aftermarket lamps like these were often sold to "update" gas lamp equipped vehicles. Yes, the bulb has been changed, probably to make it a barn or porch light. Terry

Yup- LBCs (Little British Cars) often get upgraded replacement wood dashboards, improved interior materials, etc. Tours re great! Terry

Great stuff! Keep them coming for us to enjoy. Terry

Here is a photo of an early pedal car in England. Terry

Right Bob, good catch. That makes the 1928 ID positive. Terry

He enjoyed it. That's what matters. You should also hang it on your wall and do the same. Terry

Thanks for posting Walt. Although I've never had the room for a collection of pedal cars, I've had an interest in them for a long time. I've had the chance to buy them but never did. Instead, I've photographed some of my favorites. I'll dig them out, scan a few and post here later. Terry

It only means it was on his wall for 40 years. Sorry, Terry

Always interesting to see what turns up at these events. Some pretty nice original stuff, and of course some "almost" original as well, but obviously some well engineered stuff showing outstanding workmanship. I noticed that green Hudson had Virginia tags on it. Long ways to haul a car. Thanks for posting the excellent pics. Terry

It's a recently produced foreign made novelty item. Hundreds of different versions are on ebay any day of the week. Terry

Wow,great sign! An early piece for sure. Thanks for sharing. Terry

There really is a separate forum for swap meets - so be sure ti take plenty of photos and post so we can see what we missed. Thanks, Terry

Connecting the green - my 1912 Triumph motorcycle, although built in Coventry, England, was the 405th motor vehicle registered in County Donegal, Ireland. The color green itself can be seen on the fuel tank. It originated as "Shamrock-Green" as found in the Irish clover. It is also known as "British Racing Green. That came about in 1903. In 1902, S.F. Edge, drove a Napier to victory in the Gordon Bennett Cup race. In keeping with tradition, the home-country of the winner had the rights to host the following year's event. The British government had earlier passed the infamous "Red Flag Act" which among other crazy restrictions on motorists, prohibited racing on public roads. Despite pleas from event organizers and motoring enthusiasts world-wide, the British legislators refused to "bend" the rules to allow the event to take place. So, the 1903 race was moved to Ireland. In honor of the host country, S.F. Edge's Napier entry that year was painted "Shamrock Green." It eventually became known as "British Racing Green" as many other countries began also painting their cars with a color representing their homelands. Some say that painting the Napier in Irish Green was simply a way to poke a finger in eye of the British legislators who missed out on the notoriety that came with the event. Regardless, the name stuck. Although the color itself has somewhat morphed into various shades of rich, dark green (Kelly Green, Hunter Green, Brunswick Green, Emerald Green, etc. etc.) the legend lingers, and British Racing Green is the "proper" color for British built sports cars. So, raise your Guinness or your Jamison this evening in honor of- British Racing Green! Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! Terry

Well, the collection continues to grow. I was contacted a while back by a sheet music collector who was helping to break up a very large and old collection. His interest fortunately was not automotive, so I was given the chance to obtain a number of items I did not have - including some early pieces I'd never seen before. Here are a few goodies that I've recently added. There are two Ford related pieces here that have been on my "want list" a long time, as well as a super nice Pontiac piece. I knew of it, and had watched a copy slip through my grasp at an auction, but this one is really pristine. It's almost like a piece of automotive literature. I really enjoy this stuff, just wish I could play the piano and carry a tune! Terry

Yup, total fake intended to rip someone off. Wonder if they have license from Shell to use the logo? Doubt it! PS-they make them with automobile names on them too - Ford, Chevrolet....... Terry

It was a beautiful day in Virginia for the swap meet this past Saturday. Although it was a bit chilly and brisk, bright sunshine kept things reasonable. All the outside vendor spaces were filled, and a few more had to be marked out in a section of the parking lot we'd not planned on using originally - but everyone got in and had fun. Plenty of good stuff from Model A and T up to muscle car was seen. Some really good literature changed hands and there were a couple of license plate vendors who reported good sales. Advertising stuff was everywhere and some neat gas and oil stuff is probably already decorating a few garage walls. I found some goodies including a wonderful early accessory turn signal, a brass lamp for the collection, a couple of spark plugs and even an antique gramaphone to play my old car songs on. Here are a few pics -

Here is a neat find from our small swap meet this past weekend. Nice day, lots of vendors and plenty of good stuff. I'll get a full report together and post it under the Swap Meet category. Terry

A find this weekend at a local swap meet!