Paul Dobbin

PM me and I'll share the email address of a friend with a finished 34 Oldsmobile.

Carsnz123 said: " I think everyone should spend a month or more using a vintage car as a daily driver to discover they don't need all the comforts of modern cars to get from A to B." In America we have AACA Tours to experience that a week at a time with other cars of similar vintage. Most of us enjoy it greatly but know that it's not a forever thing, which ads to the fun. Some tourists like the Buzzard's Breath Region members do multiple tours each year, to get to the month you spoke of, but not always in the same car. I know others who agree with me because I get lots of comments on my tag line below.

Beastlikethat1, Congratulations on becoming a car guy who likes cars older than you are. Welcome to the hobby. I was a Z Car guy for 20 years. All used cars, but fun and dependable. First was a 72 240Z,then a 77 280Z, 79 280ZX and finally a 84 300ZX. Even at that time finding someone to work on them was a problem. American mechanic's in Datsun dealerships were fish out of water when it came to understanding the car unless the "Micro Fish" (predecessor to the Computer) had a slide showing the repair procedure. I was able to find a few people who used names like "Z Doc" or "The Z Place" that specialized in "Z Cars". Often I would go 30 miles for a minor adjustment, but was happy to find understanding knowledgeable mechanic's. They were all durable cars and known for their reliability. Keep looking and I'll bet you find someplace that will not only help you but encourage your interest in doing it yourself, then you will be the "Z Guy" to others. Of note: The one I liked the best was the 1979 280ZX, the fastest was the 1972 240Z, the worst was the 1984 300ZX. Welcome aboard what may become a lifetime hobby.

Two things: #1 Don't'forget the Corvair. #2 The Saturn Sky should have become a Buick Sky.

The rest of the story: The Caterpillar Bulldozer was originally a pedal Car/Dozer. Problem was kids were not strong enough to drive the metal tracks very well. By the time they were strong enough, they no longer fit in it. After the engine was added, I used two broom sticks with rubber cups on the ends to work the steering levers and would walk behind it as it drove around the show field. I found these two kids at the AACA Florida West Coast Region show in Gulfport FL. Their mother almost had to leave them with me, they didn't want to leave to see the rest of the show. I've heard that Region recently folded due to lack of volunteers to run it. Sad story but is symptomatic of many local groups. Wayne, The BOO Bros. truck was rejected at a National Show in St.Petersburg years ago. After lots of letters and several phone calls, I was told it didn't have the P in HPOF. In my mind, now at 80 years old, still running and driving with original running gear, Preserved by a brush painting in 1970 and seat covers from Western Auto, it's historically preserved. I know it would take face & body lifts, tons of botox, fancy make-up, shoes & cloths to look like Joan Rivers. Read this as (new parts & patch panels, tons of bondo, fancy paint, tires & upholstery to be a show truck.) Then, I wouldn't want to haul, hay, bricks, dirt, sod, lumber, engines, furniture or picnic coolers in it, just to get a bowling trophy with an old car on top. It always draws a crowd, not accolades or trophies. P. S. When shown, I removed the chicken crates, farm tools and the BB gun & rack in the back window. (I didn't replace the original rear glass with the real bullet holes either) I hope I'm still running at 80, with a few dents, scratches, scars as patina or even with a few replacement parts, like my truck.

Wayne, that's the big Caterpillar. Here is the 1 HP Model. Notice the exhaust stack for the mighty 1 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. For year I looked for drivers that were small enough to operate it. Here they are! Posed in front of the BOO BROS. 35 Ford pickup, a AACA HPOF reject. Click on the image to enlarge.

OK, sorry about such an easy question. With the Internet I guess they're all easy to the savoy user. For those of us who can't find this stuff so fast, here's the to the episode for anyone that wants to see it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKMGJNsGBr8 I'm also glad to know that I'm not alone in enjoying these old shows. The car even sounded right for the correct flathead. At the time the show was filmed it was only a 30 year old car, but straight and complete. Now it's 82 and still beautiful.

While watching the Andy Griffith Show tonight, (It's onevery night in N.C.) I was surprised. Otis, the town drunk bought his first car. What was it? Clue: The 1963 to 1965 show was sponsored by Ford.

It's modern. I have about a dozen different ones. All aquired about 10 - 13 years ago, so my estate sale will have a bunch. I like them because none have a gas brand, just the barn find look. There is a single and dual cylinder visable Fry, several clock face styles and pumps from the teens to the 50's. They all look old. Good desk and bookcase decor.

I tuned in for about 15 minutes of this mess and decided it was not for me. Like most of these collector car shows, it didn't represent the great people I've associated with for over 40 years in this hobby. I fear that it will effect the outsiders opinion of what we know this hobby is really like. My opinion is probably based in my introduction to the hobby long before 1979 when the antique car became a "collector car" or "ïnvestment vehicle". The fantasy of the Barrett Jackson Auctions leave me with the same impression, that it's all about the money.

I think everybody missed the real question in the first post. This car is a "barn find" and in that condition, there is no difference in value brought about by the numbers on the parts. The fact that all the original type parts are there to be restored has the most effect on the value as an original restorable car in complete condition. I hope he enjoys it as Ford made it, but that's his choice. To street rodders the fact that it has an engine also makes no difference.

Lets not get too uppity with this story. I could be a half remembered version of the Model T story about wooden shipping crates for parts sent to Ford Motor Company with specified sizes to get floor board material for the cars. I've heard that forever, but never verified it. Welcome exbcmc.

Harleysofttail, Contact the northern Ohio Region of AACA at http://aacanorthernchapter.com/ A nice bunch of people who can probably list your request in their newsletter.

I agree,but not "P"reserved elminates HPOF for my 1935 Ford Pickup Truck.

Toro was one of those manufacturers who made a kit to convert the Model A to tractor. Over the years "Doodlebug" came to encompass all the manufactured coversions, both homemade and kit form. Our club aquired a Model A for daily use in the county historical park, which we refer to as the Doodlebug. It's the most popular of the Village's 4 service trucks. (29 Model A Doodlebug, 40 Ford pickup, 50 Chevrolet pickup and the 25 Model TT flatbed) The club is takes care of them all and keeps them ready for volunteers use.

It does appear that the Frazer had the Kaiser Vagabond nameplate on the left rear door.

Help a beginner in our hobby needs help A friends son has joined the ranks if our hobby recently with the purchase of a 1951 Ford Victoria. A young family guy with two young children, he's got his family involved in parades, car stuff and the hobby. Now he needs help and wrote to me. He is located in Louisiana His email to me: "Hey Mr. Paul I have a question. I was wondering where I could possibly find a new hood for my car. While I was driving home, my hood was not latched and it came up and bent pretty badly. The hinges look like they are still in good shape but the hood doesn't look so good. I figured you would know where to find someone dealing with 51 Ford car body parts. I can put it on and all that . I just need to find one. Thank you Brett"

This thread has been going on for 5 years and you guys aren't having fun in the snow yet. Where are the snow mobiles and V8 powered snow blowers? Last time I went to Wisconsin to go snow mobiling I bought a barn find. When we get snow here (Rarely lasts), I go out and play.

If you saw the ad, you would have noticed a cut down roadster in black primer behind the subject Model A. This was the illustration for what Matt Hardwood said "9 times out of 10 it's a garden-variety rod with garden-variety parts and amateur build quality. Never impressive and the sellers always know it, which is why they're trying to trade for one of my good cars."

The Great Race is doing Rte 66 this year. http://www.greatrace.com/ The adventure of a lifetime. My adventure of a lifetime, 11 times.

I thought the epoxy primer was a moisture barrier itself. Is that not it's purpose?

The possum is famous everywhere. There is one on display at the Smithsonian Museum, claimed to be the only one that ever made it across the road.

Ply33 I considered radiasl with the bias ply look, but bought another set of bias plys after last year's Glidden Tour. My thought was the radials might ride better but not as long. My experience with radials is to change them between 5 & 6 years old before they come apart and cause damage. You are right about the 8-12k on bias tires, but that could be 8-10 years, hence I bought more bias tires. If I always drove the same old car, I would re-consider radials.

How do you drive a double ender VW with the engine end gone from both halfs? Now this is a real double ender with two engines, two standard transmissions and one brake system. Built by Joe Klem for Ted Holden, it was fully operational from either end or both. I was hired to drive it for Ted at the Formula 1 St. Petersburg Grad Prix one year as entertainment between races. What a ball! We could go almost sideways in a crab like motion around the track. It also made the greatest K turns you'll ever see.