Joe_Materasso

Its a link to my car - I'm posting it here not to sell - the auction is over, but rather I thought some of you would get a kick out of it. I grew up in one - my grandparents actually traded a 49 Buick SEDANETTE for a brand new one of these in 1959! {$1985 with optional motorola no button am radio} Slightly ahead of their time I suppose {or more likely, just nuts} Interesting little thing; water cooled rear engine, indpendent suspension all the way around, with swing axles in the rear... and you thought Corvairs and Porsche 356's handled quirky! mine is the "deluxe" model, which cranked out a full 30 horsepower - on pump gas! Not many survived; poor dealer network, badly trained mechanics and the fact that the metal is so thin on it, you'd swear it was an aluminum factory lightweight. Wish I had a pic of it when it was parked next to a 59 Lincoln ... yes, they really DO things differently on the other side of the pond! Anyway hope you enjoy the story - it TRULY is THE one old country lady, {95 years old} owned and babied, original time capsule. Happy Motoring! jm http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110058046554

kerosene has worked for me - and it does wonders on removing road tar too. hope this helps! jm

one word... <span style="font-weight: bold"> heartbreaking </span>

Try the H.A.M.B. {jalopy forum} - custom cars, guys, rides, contacts - and tips galore! ... and no shortage of "rockabilly" gals either! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> happy motoring! jm <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Beautiful cars Thomas! It's always gratifying to see American cars celebrated "abroad"! good luck to you! jm

While not an "invention" it must be noted that Mr. Ford was a deep thinker and prolific writer having revamped the failing "DEARBORN INDEPENDENT", into the prescient missive published under his tenure, non - stop from 1919 through {I believe} 1927 for a total of about 90 volumes. Many of the issues that were raised in the "INDEPENDENT" are as current today as the moment they written! All in all, it is a delightful literary capsule of prevailing American thought of the era. Happy Motoring! jm

hello art, goodness! - you answered my questions - and so much more - thanks so much ... i always wonderd what amt and johan stood for. your response is typifies what makes this forum great! best wishes - and happy motoring jm

hey mike - in the main index there is a subsection titled "what is it" - that's where i'd start. good luck - and happy motoring! jm

hey rolf - i'm being serious - are you sure thats an automotive horn? jm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ebay.com search for "chrysler airstream" type airstream, you will get a lot of trailer parts, but the Chrysler parts do come up. </div></div> hey mate, don't waste your time - airstreams are for trailer want to be's - i have a PIERCE ARROW TRAVELODGE available! you'll never "pass yourself" in this - unlike in an airstream - common as telephone booths - especially here in the deranged states of america!

I was selling Fords in the eighties, and you'd be amazed how many people still wanted them in 1988 and beyond! a damn good truck, that in my opinion they should Still be producing! best, jm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jim I'm curious as to how you found out you were bidding against a shill? </div></div> ebay seems to have become THE home for shills - besides the aptly named BJ auctions! jm

greetings from ny layden! thansk so much - i suspected acetylene, but wasn't sure; your prompt reply gave me enough pointers to head in the right direction to list it on ebay. many thanks and - Happy Motoring! jm

HOWDY! another unidentified object, this time its a lamp - any ideas as to its type, application, value and vintage? what type of fuel would it use? it is large, and being black makes me think its a commercial application; it is over a foot from top to bottom, and the body is almost 8" in diameter. as usual, Many Many thanks in advance! jm

here is a pic - any info as to value would be greatly appreciated! thanks in advance, jm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm about to fill the brake system on the trailer and I want to know the difference between DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluid. The manufacturer does not recommend DOT 5. </div></div> DOT 4 has a higher boiling point also; DOT 5 is silicone based and has a distinctive purplish hue, and is definately NOT compatible with all braking systems! Happy Motoring! jm

I'm curious, what does YFAM mean? Thanks, jm

HI TOM! Thanks for the tip - i'm going to try and track him down! Best, jm

GREAT PICS of some great cars! As for craig barrett, i wouldn't take a car from him if it was free. happy motoring! jm

Hi guys, Does anyone know the origin of promo car models? I have a few I acquired over the years {and fondly remember some that I had as a child in the 60's - where I got those, I do not remember}. I'd be curious to know who was the first company that started making/using them, and when, and if they were given away or sold; did you have to "know someone" at a dealership to get one? were they given away to {prospective} customers, that sort of thing. Or any other history about them you may have. Happy Motoring! jm

hi peter! please resend your message - its not there ... thank you jm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If I remember correctly, it was Bantam that designed the Jeep. Willys may have improved the design, but Bantam was actually the Jeep first tested & accepted. </div></div> that is absolutely correct bob; politics and the logistics of mass production resulted the department of defense sharing all of bantams r&d with ford for the majority of the jeeps produced. bantam was "thrown a bone" in the form of getting the contract to produce the rugged trailers that were designed for use with the "gp" vehicle. talk about being chopped off at the knees! sad - but bantam just didn't have the production ability of ford and the others, despite developing the jeep from start to finish in, i believe, LESS than 45 days {someone will correct me with the exact timeframe, i'm sure!} regards! jm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> What is this generation's great contribution to design? </div></div> as far as i can see, there isn't any - at least not yet; or not from the domestic or japenese industry! ... {think citroen! no one designs and builds cars like our beloved French cousins} ... although i have to admit i like the challenger - especially its 66 charger like tailights

heads can be welded by an EXPERIENCED shop - and work.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The only thing I know about Citroens is that there parts are very hard to find and very expensive here in the states. In your area it might be a very different story. </div></div> Oh no my friend, like any orphan car, once you get in "the network" its not much more difficult than sourcing parts for your mgb or sunbeam alpine ... i speak from my experience with french cars in general over the years - many considered "untouchable" due to their Perceived rarity - ask the king midget or crosley or renault or franklin or D-B or cortina-lotus or morgan owner etc., if its worth the "bother" to search a bit ,,,