Paul Dobbin

Agree with American La France, my guess would be about a 1911 or 1912, due to the right hand drive.

I think I've seen the word "REPLICA" used as an exclusionary term for some car events. That would include the Shay, so a few years ago AACA included the Shay as a production car and eligible for all things other 1980 cars are eligible for. They are cute, especially when re-fitted with real Model A headlights, taillights, taillights & cowl lights I bought one once at a yard sale (See Picture) that needed lots of TLC and a $50.00 computer module. When it was done, I thought it looked great but it rode like a truck and "Replica" was a term that would have embarrassed Henry Ford. The fix up was fun but after a few test drives, it went home with somebody else. I'll be glad to see them on the Founder's Tour, but that group is getting so modern it's hardly an antique car tour anymore, and the illusion of a Model A would be a welcome sight.

Sure a 58 Ranchero is OK, but less desirable than a 57 or 59. The Sentimental Tour with AACA cuts off to only 1928-1958. We like to drive all our cars and the Sentimental tour is a good one. We usually take a 34 Ford and run with the older cars. Actually the 58 looks the same from the back as the 57, but the front had gone to quad headlights and they added a scoop to the hood and more trim on the sides. But either one would do. I've sent inquiries to a bunch of ads and only one has replied so far. I find that a lot of ads are actually brokers who have never even seen the cars they are selling and can offer few details and don't respond or let me speak to the seller. I keep trying. There are several;on the "American Listed" web site at great prices. I usually find them listed elsewhere for a lot more money and a scam artist reply. It appears they are all scams of pictures and descriptions stolen and re-listed. BEWARE of them.

Which transmission gear do you have?

Come on guys, haven't you ever met somebody like that before? Remember all the folks at car shows that tell you about the gem they have at home. Now you've seen it.

Thanks to all, I'm working on these leads. Dave, the 59mRanchero is to new for the Sentimental Tour (1928-1958) Note the Caterpillar has a 1 HP Briggs & Straton engine (notice the exhaust stack in the hood) and could be driven with two sticks with cups on the ends to work the steering levers. I think a kid small enough to fit in it wouldn't have the strength to pedal it in it's original pedal car format. I took it to the AACA Show in Gulfport FL in my unrestored 35 ford PU and drove it around for fun. The two little boys were not the Boo Bros., just spectators who picked it as their favorite.

Appears to be an American school bus painted for non school use.

Changing the title to the new owners name is often overlooked, especially if it is not to ever be used or registered for road use. It's a shame because if that charity ever needs to sell, they may have problems proving their ownership. Almost every time I've sold a car to an out of state buyer, the new state fails to notify that it's re-registered in another state. This makes my state think I still own the vehicle. (That does not mean I can get the vehicle back) Many states have a reciprocal agreements to notify the prior state of new registration of ownership to take care of this, and fail to do so.

Thanks Auburnseeker, Seems the Rancheros were popular with the hot rod set too, most are to modified for AACA events. The first one on Charlotte is almost a dragster, the second one is on Reachoo that I couldn't access. (I think I sent a message to the lister) The third is one I've seen before and is typically an unrestored one at a restored price. I've contacted #4 also. My search missed 2 of the 4 you found. Thanks for the assistance. Paul

I'm still looking for a good usable 1957 Ford Ranchero to replace my 1981 El Camino and our 1935 Ford V8 pickup. Want a good driver for the Sentimental Tour that can double as my "go get stuff truck" at home. Not necessarily a National First Place restoration, but a good looking usable 1957 Ranchero. Somebody out there must know of one needing a good home. PaulDobbin@aol.com

I agree, but it's kind of like designing an building you dream home. Why do if you don't really intend to live in it. (Or drive it in our discussion) As a guy who loves to drive them, I recruit others with old cars to take drives together. While there is a lot of interest, many never come out to actually go on the drives (Local Tours) I find the reason is most often a lack of confidence in the vehicle itself. Yes, the fear that it may breakdown stops many people from enjoying their cars. "It might cost more money to fix it, so I'll just keep in the garage because it's to nice to take a chance with". Along with a few other guys we recruit our tourists by offering to help fix minor problems in exchange for participation (Only works sometimes) That fear that a 80+ year old car may have a problem is the biggest reason they remain locked in the garage. We have a 84 year old neighbor who owns a 1930 Model A Coupe that he proudly offered for sale for $18,000. When I heard he had it, I tried to recruit him to bring it out where others potential buyers could enjoy it. He claimed it was to nice to drive, which peaked my interest. Yesterday, I spoke to another neighborhood car guy who knows the car, he told me that the guys car has not run in 18 years, had 4 flat tires an probably a stuck engine, I had been painted in his driveway, and the upholstery was made by his wife gave me totally different mental picture. Maybe when the 60 year old son owns it, it will have another chance to become an automobile again.

What a great thread! It keeps all of us willing to admire nice cars and to tell the owner how we feel. Many people think show cars are never really available, so this should encourage us all to keep asking.

This thread is now 7 years old, I wonder if bofusmosby is still playing with cars?

This was the car my father had when he married my mother in 1938. He didn't chop the top, he bought it that way. He said it was yellow and they named it "The Rabbit". Both parents seamed to have great affection for this car that he drove to graduate school. Somewhere I have a very faded picture of my mother's father's first car, a 1911 Ford Model T Roadster that he bought new with a mother in In Law seat when he married my maternal grandmother. Picture is to faded to reproduce.

It's a car in use, Stuff Happens. If you fix the fender and quit driving it, that would be a real Boner Move. "fender needs some minor work anyway but still frustrating" Use this as a good reason to take care of both. Yes, I can show you goofball nicks in all my cars, but that's life in the real world of cars.

What I found interesting were two statements in the ad, that raised a flag for me even though i couldn't see the entire ad, (SOLD) #1 Will ship to the United States #2 Item Location: Prescott, Arizona

It's a Series 41 Buick from 1935. the car that saved Buick from BANKRUPCY in 1934 & 1935. It was a low priced Buick, under $900 dollars, dispite that dealer's price on the door in Minneapolis. Must have been with tax title & shipping, out the door price. The right tail iight was available at extra cost, as so was the luggage rack and a side mount spare, whitewalls, hood ornement, etc.

Keep looking, that's a load of rust an problems.

Bump

Makes an interesting Resto-Mod at that price. (if that's your thing)

If the car pictured was a diesel, there would be a "D" after the number on the trunk lid, not a C or S.

My roommate in the USAF in Germany (1965-67) had a Mercedes 220S (Gas) a little earlier than the one pictured (Before the wilted fins) There were plenty of diesel Mercedes Taxi cabs around at that time, either a cream yellow or black. All of which were privately owned and operated, detailed as if they were ready for any car show. I had a 170 VA (4 cylinder, Pre-WWII body style) that had similar style to the 1934 Ford. There were so many diesel Mercedes that when I came back to the states, I would smell a diesel and think of Germany!

About 50 years ago I had a 1957 Porsche Speedster while stationed in West Germany. I belonged to the Wiesbaden Porsche Club and participated in the Mainz-Finthen Army Airfield Sports Car Races in 1967. While my Speedster was an old car then, wee had a ball. At the end of the event, they gave me a dash plaque (Upper left corner in the picture below.) I saved it for 5 years until I got involved in American Antique Cars, then I got another dash plaque for participation in a Old Car Event in Treasure Island Florida (Also upper left) Now 50 years later I still have most of the dash plaques from events, long after any trophy or photographs have been lost to the ages. When I see them hanging on a wall in the Barn/Garage/Shop I remember the Show/Event/Tour and the fun we've had sharing our hobby all over the USA. In the last few years I've noticed that the 58 cent Dash Plaque is becoming a thing of the past. I find that kind of insulting that I pay $15.00 to $5000.00 to enter an event and the 58 cent Dash Plaque is replaced only by paper flyers for up coming shows & events. It's even happened on AACA National Tours. Am I alone in thinking the Dash Plaque is a good will token to remember the happening?

Earl, If it;s something you've bird dogged for 50 years, it must be a special Buick, Good Luck!

For really fine doing while on the road, remember that at one time people wrapped their meat in foil and cooked on the manifold while driving. I've seen it done at Pre-WWII car gatherings. It's like sleeping in a tent beside the road, interesting to see, but it's not for me.