Walt G

wheel disc covers over the wire wheels to cut down wind resistance , Note the concrete surface - not to common in 1920 but was used in Brooklands ( I have been there at the track numerous times ) Brooklands had a magnificent 7 color enamel car badge depicting two race cars for its members in the pre war era. It took me decades to locate one of those badges and then months to restore it to like new condition.

I am not going to get into this to much, because it would take a lot of comment and also images to help most to comprehend what I am saying clearly not just "sort of". Big mistakes mentioned - paint the wheels a different color from the fenders. Applies MOST of the time but not all of the time. What are the wheels- wood ? if so short spokes, long spokes , width of spokes, ? Size of wheels 15 inch ? 23 inch? Disc wheels? Also the year - earlier cars show more of the underside of the fender are open and bigger areas, later years "envelope" the fender and enclose it . that all plays into how you see the car and how it affects the rest of the car - body type also plays into that - perpendicular or slip stream. I just did a story on car trend design and styling of the 1935 to 1948 era for Crankshaft magazine #8. Not trying to promote a magazine but that gives visual as well as information to see what I am taking about. I previously did a story n the WWI to 1933 era - Perpendicular to Art Deco. There is no one set rule of how a car will look best - fender skirts and fenders that are skirted in styling can totally affect the visual appearance of the car. Big sedans that have a dark color(s) in the 1934-48 era with black walls ( if larger cars) can look very very heavy in profile appearance. Over the years I must have chosen at least a dozen or more colors for collectors to paint their cars because they couldn't see the car "done" in their mind and I could, also chose the black or white wall for them as well. I have studied color - not just in art history and teaching art but have at least 1,000 paint chips of the 1925 to 1938 era of considerable size that I have looked at over the years. Even with a good size paint chip - say 4 x 2 inches it is not easy for a non artistic based collector to imagine a hood or two door panels painted in a color - large area and reflections play into the whole picture as well. Will stop - this is getting to long and you really need photos/images to clearly comprehend what I am trying to convey.

Yes, give them their own AACA membership.the may not seem like a big deal BUT IT IS. Yes, a lot of modern technology now - it used to be going to a stationary store and buying a car magazine was the thing to do when I was in my teens. Now the instant access factor on phones, computers etc. But unless there are people out there to post things from the earlier era that have the period material available it is difficult to "go further" for younger generations. We are dealing with history, much of it written down in the age before instant knowledge, and much of it photographed ( with glass plate negatives and cameras on tripods with a hood over the camera and photographer) Resources is what is needed, I tried to do that here 4 years ago with period images and photos. It was received reasonably well. But as mentioned I just walked away because a lot of "experts" on here with lots to say just made me weary and I got really tired of the insults and lack of respect. I just walked away.

A friend in the local Buick Club here on long island collects 1965 Buicks. Has some great cars. A few years ago he was kind enough to pick up a battery for me and drop it off. I told him when he did to bring his 3 sons along - all about 13 years old at the time. They arrived and his sons looked at my 1930 Packard and 1940 Buick in my garage, I said to them - Before you leave I want all of you to sit in the front seat behind the steering wheel and in the back seat to see what it is like and think about how different it is with your dad's car. and the difference in years , styling, how the dashboards look etc. they were all amazed that they were allowed to do that,but their Dad and I saw so many smiles and he took photos of that happening. Passing of the torch - the interest.

On the Ford panel truck of 1939-40 note the lettering on both the truck and the window of the building behind the truck. That is all done by a sign painter - not vynil adhesive, not computer generated, it was skill - a paint brush or two, sign lettering enamel, and Patience and tender care of doing that. this is the images of the era that I keep mentioning, l0ok beyond the vehicles take in the whole atmosphere of the time period.

Larry, this is exactly what it is all about - you are passing the torch to future generation THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE. Great to know the tours you participate in welcome this. Some clubs frown upon that and kids just by their cost level. They do not think . I have stated before here that I taught kids for 35 + years ages 5 and up , they look for guidance and learn from good examples they view , kids are a lot smarter then most people realize. SO wonderful to read what you told all of us MADE MY DAY, MY WEEK . thanks my friend. Walt PS anyone remember the phrase we used to hear a few years ago "Take a kid to a car show" maybe that should be brought back again...............

VERY TRUE but there are some car clubs who maintain the elite mode of activities and fail to realize that for a family who already have the cars to participate can't justify a fee to take along their kids or grand kids. Those kids are almost always well behaved do not " smear their fingers" over surfaces and would learn what it is like to participate have people hopefully be cordial and friendly to them. Those kids are the future of the old car hobby but are kept at a distance - WHY? Good memories created NOW will be long lasting and be passed on for generations - it isn't happening on a grand scale and that is also a reason interest is fading.................

Please elaborate a bit more about what is the Fleetwood connection?

Nice to see this topic revived. I have additional images and photographs over and above what I supplied here but since then with the way I was treated/ criticized for the White on White thread posted to perhaps amuse that was then "reworked" by unrelated contributions I will no longer contribute any images or photographs from my archives to the forums . Just not worth the effort and time to then get the lashing I didn't deserve.

Does anyone know the location of this building? Does it still stand?

As soon as I saw this just now with the fellow lettering the door I knew exactly what he was going through Been there done that ! An 'ancient' skill only achieved or perfected by PRACTICE. I have a similar stick, and the long striping lettering brushes here too as well as the One Shot sign lettering enamel that I am using to restore some parts and toys. Paint ain't cheap but when it drys thoroughly it is like a porcelain coated manifold. and just as tough wear wise in the weather. Thank you. Made my day.................

the original plating may polish up well, sending that casting which may be zinc based to a plated who doesn't often deal with smallish objects with detail may be a hazard.

There may be some mention in the Dealer's Bulletins about this when the cars /series first appeared as well. I have many of those but just do not have the time to get involved in making an effort to go through them - nothing was indexed at all for them . Have you checked ( or do you have access to ) the salesman's data book for the series 14? May be something there as well. Just need to know where to look and if something exists or existed that would note the answer to the questions nearly a century later.

Thanks David, I do not recall seeing those as standard issue by the factory and with the size of the photo could not be sure if they were a shiny rubber reflecting light or a polished steel of some sort. A close friend owned a 37 Buick conv coupe for years and his car did not have those , nor did any other Buick of the same year that was local and an open body style. Good to have your observation and information always.

GREAT PHOTO I wonder what the panels on the fenders are right behind the hubcap level?

John , I taught kids ages 5 to 12 for over 35 years art, 1,100 kids a week and even on Saturday classes as well in the winters. It is a big learning curve and awakening for all. John, I was there once and probably so were you - someone had to tell us what the knobs coming out of the dashboard were for , what the grate in the floor of the car was for ( heater ) why the windshield wipers slow down or almost stop while accelerating up a long grade when they are on and it is raining and you need them - vacuum wipers. Huh? whats a vacuum wiper.... It doesn't take a lot of effort to be kind and have some patience . I will now take the opportunity to preach a bit - lots of people on here complain about things they do not like , and to AACA because they want things their way. How often do any of you email a compliment - thank you - to HQ or some of the moderators? A little can go a long way , be kind and recognize great effort and you will also see that same attitude returned.

Hey at least she knew what an automatic was and didn't think "aromatic" I have seen people look at the column mounted shifter in a 1936-37 Cord and think it was an automatic too. there are many devices on pre WWII era cars that even post war car collectors do not really understand - spark and throttle levers at the center of the steering column , the fact a gas pedal can have a foot rest next to it, choke knob on the dash board................ I can understand their puzzlement - if the cars you have been in and some now collect do not have them how do you relate to them? I revved up the engine on my 1931 Franklin I owned at the time by the hand throttle on the steering wheel center and it scared a guy next to the car! Most people do not under stand a rumble seat as they see the plate on the top of the right rear fender and wonder what it is for. they are not dumb, just not informed so it gives you reason to explain and always brings a big smile of wonderment. Explain why it is not wise to touch the beautiful shiny brass headlamp after it was lit, or the brass radiator shell after the car had been running .................... A lesson in time, era and perspective. Walt

And the car still exists! It is in the Harrah collection. Have seen it in person a few years ago. Magnificent. It was stored for decades in California before Harrah's bought it . It was under cover but not in a great enclosure. Today many would use the word " barn find " even though that is a over used description just like the words classic, iconic, rare and patina are.

Thank you for this. It puts history in proper perspective! Many times the local or national factors that are going on or not going on have had affect on the auto industry- mechanically, sales, design, even just getting supplies to the manufacturers etc. We all think specifically of the particular vehicle of group of vehicles but rarely do authors take into account the economics, location, etc. There was no inter state road system that could accommodate large tractor trailers hauling new cars, parts for them etc . I try to bring the whole picture into focus when I research and write the stories I do. That is what ABear has done.

OK, I am a week or so behind posting this due to commitments to finish a story or two for publication as well as other essential things in life. BUT I have to thank all of you who have contributed here to this "period Images" thread. I started it 4 years ago in March of 2020 to get all of us out of the doldrums of the pandemic when we couldn't attend anything. It was also done because of my personal interest in pre WWII era vehicles - not just cars, not just American made ones , but all from everywhere. I thought this thread would last about 3 months - MAYBE and then fade. there are about 25 photos /images per page, it proves how much interest there is and also appreciation of the pre WWII era. The period stuff takes us back into the era, as do the settings where the vehicles are photographed as well. The architecture, cast lamp posts, street signs, fences, the lettering on the vehicles and on the windows of stores. All of that - Yes, I am a local and state ( non vehicle) historian too and this year makes 25 year since I started the local historical society. SO I am posting here an image from the Lincoln sales catalog/portfolio that was also used in the souvenir program for the custom body salons of a Model L Lincoln Coaching brougham by Judkins. This means a lot to me for many reasons- I love horse drawn coaches as much as cars, and I love art work - I own the original opaque water color rendering you see here that was done by Roland Stickney. A long time friend who is on here and goes by 3makes found it for me in Ct. decades ago and asked if I wanted to own it. THANKS to all of you , Thanks to AACA and to the moderators who have to cope with all this old stuff ( images, photos and people!) Walt

Everything that Wayne states is why I questioned the "diamond" description for the sedan. Diamond Reo trucks sure, that I had heard of for many decades, but a Diamond car? Huh? there are enough learned car types out there to question even basic titles/names ( these forums are proof of that) and to guess at what you are trying to promote for sale just leaves many of us rolling our eyes. We are not looking for a whole history of a particular make but at least get the title correct. Mistakes in print eventually get passed on and myth becomes fact....................

What is the Diamond?

Thanks so much to the Botrz cars collection for taking the time and effort to move all those amazing cars from the mid west to the west coast! Quite an undertaking to make sure all arrived safely . This is all for the benefit and visual education of styling- seeing them in person! How incredible is that? Decades ago when Bill Mitchell retired from G.M. Styling Studios G.M. trucked out at least a half dozen of his styling experimental cars to the NY Auto show in Manhattan. I was there on Press Day to see the cars in person and just happened to be there when Bill Mitchell walked in as well. There is nothing like seeing a 3 dimensional form on wheels in person. Bill Mitchell ( he instructed me not to call him Mr.) and I spoke about that as he learned that I taught art. Reflections on the painted surface changing as you walk around. etc. Walt

YES, my thoughts exactly when I got to the last photo. HUH!

We all were there once, a novice same as you, and the education comes with time. You have the sincere interest THAT IS WHAT MATTERS . Great that you see people are not trying to be harsh just letting you be more aware of what to consider when looking at a vehicle. It is all good. Walt