Walt G

Me too! But no complaints from me , I was very fortunate at Hershey last October to see a collection of figural motor meters along with a few mascots come my way to look at and be available for purchase. A friend is clearing out slowly the collections of a hoarder who we both knew 400 miles from where I reside. All of what I bought I had never known existed and was amassed in the 1940s to early 1960s. it has taken months since then to get all of them cleaned by soaking in Simple Green. the die cast ( zinc) figural motor meters are all free of age cracking. This is the most I have ever bought at Hershey in all the decades I have attended. Do any of them fit any cars I own - NO. All became " useless presents " from me to me for Christmas .

I will when I have time, major projects in progress and am not reading the forums much any longer.

Dave, no need to be sorry, just a clarification , What you contribute is terrific. Most everyone looking here can not realize how long it takes to locate the photo or image, scan and save then take the time to post and comment. It is all taken for granted . It is why I ceased to do so recently after a lot of negative opinions/comments.

Jack I tried your email and it doesn't connect tells me to correct it but I can't. I copied and pasted it but to no avail.

I bought my first car( - it was an old car a 1931 Plymouth sedan) when I was 13 in 1963 and took delivery when I was 14 in 1964 at that time I joined AACA and also the Plymouth 4 cylinder Owners Club. In that era the collectors I got to know who had been collecting for some years all referred to the 1942 and earlier era as "pre war" , this included Austin Clark who also thought and mentioned that time span /cut off. I didn't hear anyone discuss or dispute or wonder why this was stated as it was, it is what everyone talked about then with no question all agreed . I agree that Zephyr has stated it the best as to why the terms were and are used.

the Franklin with Cannon Ball Baker is a 1929 series 13 model 135 or 137. Baker is leaning against the spare tire . that is an accessory OVALITE under the left front headlamp. I looked at the photo again, car does not have the regular issue headlamps made by Ryan ( Ryanlite) but possibly has Twilight headlamps that were first used in 1930 and continued on into 1932 for use ( most had 12 inch diameter headlamp lens) . E.G. "Cannonball " Baker did cross country speed trips , held numerous records for that in the 1929-31 era non stop driving - he had a large bag of peanuts in their shells next to him on the front seat (he used as food) he also in the early days of the Franklin Club attended one of their annual "treks" in Syracuse, NY I believe in the 1950s. More useless information.

If you can post a photo of what you need perhaps some of us may have this. Even if the image is taken from a sales catalog or magazine ad. Also give length. the more information you can provide the more likely that someone will contact you to let you know they may have these.

I completely agree with what West stated.

Yes, it did indeed bring back memories - I read the title and thought immediately - "Austin had one of those I rode in probably at least twice" and sure enough it was the same vehicle. Neat machine and not huge but very tall!

For my own needs/situation I echo what TAKerry says totally. Computers are great and I too admire what Gary can do and mentions here, but I taught art for over 40 years and it was all hands on operation - pencils, rulers templates at times. It just is the way it is "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" Well, this old dog likes the ability of a computer for gathering together the ability to type, scan photos, etc for the stories I write and then submit for publication - sure is a lot easier then decades ago having to make a negative of a period photo, have the film developed and then a print made. ( I have a lot of 4 x 5 negatives of period images that Austin Clark would make and then be able to be used for reproduction of photographs that could give incredible detail ) SO I will let those of you who tap the buttons do that while this dinosaur is content with what I can do as I need to.

I can not tell you what manufacturer made it but yes it was used as a accessory base ( aftermarket) for a motor meter. The hinge was so you could swing the motor meter out of the way to add water and not have to unscrew then rescrew the motor meter back again. Less time and effort. I purchased a collection of assorted motor meter caps ( dog bone, and figural die cast zinc) at Hershey that were collected by a hoarder over a period of 40+ years and have spent the months since October cleaning them . Some amazing stuff - have never seen anything like them since I got into the old car hobby in 1964. Most of us when we think motor meters think of the Boyce lollipop shaped ones in assorted sizes. There were so much more available for sale as accessories in the 1915-34 era but most being cast in zinc now may be in poor shape due to the deterioration of the base metal.

Happy Valentines Day to all the all the ladies who look at the forums and especially to all those who work at the AACA Headquarters who put up with all of us the whole year !! this card was printed in Germany.

This should tell all that AACA is doing the old car interest "right". We all owe the club staff, officers and everyone connected with that annual event a huge THANK YOU.

Larry has the right idea. I bought a wood fair ground motorcycle ( merry go round in US speak) Made in the late 1940s/early 1950s and when I checked the cost to have it shipped it was over $400. I bubble wrapped it and a friend delivered it to Heathrow airport for me and the cost for PreArraged take on baggage was $40 plus a tip to the baggage guy at the curb to wrestle it into the plane. It now sits restored in the bay window at the front of my living room . Not something one can lift and move around well until i added a base with wheels. It is about 3/4 the size of a real motorcycle.

THANK YOU, well stated. An author, journalist, writer etc. should provide a clear picture with words and information that is concise, accurate, and a "good read". My own point of view is that it should also include the attitude, atmosphere of that particular era - gives a reader more perspective. Anything at 100 mph in the era pre 1920 was incredible and also somewhat to be feared as how did it stop going 100 mph? History can just be so much more interesting ( and thus remembered) if it is presented in such a way to make the reader have a "wow" moment or perhaps smile because they now know something they didn't before. It comes down to sharing - do it well and we all can benefit

Depends upon how well they clean/polish up and what rust has gone beneath the original plating.

Yet that information that is incorrect will be looked at from now on AS CORRECT and myth will then become fact................. Even with the faster way to check facts(?) huge mistakes are made by confident know it all types. SAD

that top edge is REALLY steep , almost so you can't stand up at all. the track has been maintained by the Brooklands Society who have never ending admiration for what took place there historically and it is a vast area to keep as you see it. Much of that concrete track is still there from 1907!!!

alsfarms if you google Brooklands museum, society etc you will get all the information you need as well as images. Yes, the track was opened in 1907. Track is located in Surrey.

that was my reaction as well, had to tear up tires quickly. You have to be there to really appreciate that. Just the fact it was a banked race track not to long after the turn of the century is incredible and that it has survived at all for as long as it did. It doesn't take much imagination to look at that track and hear the roar of the cars as they lap the concrete.

To add yet another perspective ( like I always seem to do 🙄) how many people here reading this have been to the Brooklands race track ? seen cars on the track up on the top curve of the banked track at speed? Or even know where Brooklands is? Not a put down. It is such an interesting site an annual car event takes place organized by The Brooklands Society. Much of the race car area has been preserved in the past 40+ years. A few decades ago I was able to attend the annual Brooklands Reunion for several years . Cars were being driven/used on the banked track and in the pits, display area near the club house you could meet and talk to people who raced there pre WWII era. Priceless experience. Beyond the visual treat you had the smell of "petrol and oil" in the air. All part of it. Just to see cars currently go up the "test hill" and make it to the top without blowing up the gearbox, engine, radiator............ And yes, I did get a ride in the mechanics seat of one of the cars for a drive on the banked track - immediately afterwards was consuming some adult beverage of the Scottish decent "neat" to get the color back into my face and hands - I looked like a ghost. Scared the heck out of me. My ancestors resided and grew up in the same county as the track but not within "ear shot" of the activities. Walt

Back in the late 1960s/early 1970s the Tunick Brothers of Greenwich, Ct. had two of these parked behind a chain link fence on their automotive sale lot in the center of town on the main route.

Yes, a lot of green - BUT not to light or a yellow green that would be hideous. I am guessing it is very very close to the original color. We live in an era now ( and are influenced by it) that all the modern cars are : white, silver , red or black. Just try to imagine of someone who had restored the car had not chosen this green but maybe bright red, orange, school bus yellow, violet or some other color that was just so "in" during the era when you "let the sunshine in " and things were of the 5th dimension.

the great contributions never cease , thank you again to all for keeping this thread alive and active with comments as well as images

Paul, your photos say it all to me, and how the cars are placed to go on a tour. I did this as well here on long island 30+ years ago. What I really loved seeing was that the young girl was on a tour! kids need that exposure to know the cars function still even if those cars are older then their grandparents! BRAVO. She will remember that participation and hopefully have a car with running boards of her own some day. There was a phrase some years ago that should be repeated often "Take a kid to a car show". One of the greatest automotive historians was a woman, Beverly Rae Kimes , she was a close friend and was the one to encourage me to start a column for the CCCA magazine that lasted 30+ years . I really wish that there were more old car gals besides old car guys.