[Visors and sun visors]

2 hours ago, wayne sheldon said:

 

They weren't all that popular back when the cars were new. Yes they were a factory option on many cars. And almost every auto parts store in the country sold after-market versions for anything (many of them had to be special ordered).

However, out in the real world, on the roads and in the parking lots? I doubt if more than about one car in a hundred actually had those things.

Many cars of the 1920s had a visor over the windshield. They mostly kept much of the rain off the windshield at low speeds. Wipers were not very good in those earlier years, and most driving was fairly slow. By 1930, most cars were eliminating exterior visors.

Interior sun visors had been around on a few expensive cars and as after-market accessories since the late 1910s, but were somewhat rare (there is that word!). They began showing up in common cars during the 1930s, and being standard on the driver's side (I remember cars that had only one!) about 1940.

My Rickenbacker has an outside sun visor but no interior sun visors.

My Pierce has no outside sun visor but has two interior sun visors.

[Visors and sun visors]

Cars have had outside sun visors since the 20's.

My Rickenbacker has one.

[How do you determine if your car is "rare"?]

29 minutes ago, Avanti Bill said:

The biggest mistake most people make is confusing "rare" with valuable.  There are plenty of low production hard to find cars that aren't worth restoring.

Now why would you go and bash Rickenbacker like that? 

[Save the old Dealer Signs!]

If I'm ever out that way, which is very rarely, I will have to swing by the place and see what is there now.

 

I'm not exactly close and the horrible traffic makes it even further away, time wise.

[How do you determine if your car is "rare"?]

5 hours ago, edinmass said:

Tossing more fuel on to the fire……..”super car” ………what the hell does that mean? Horsepower or expensive? Wouldn’t a V-16 of 1930 be a super car also? 🤔

Ed, I would say that any SJ is a supercar for that era.

Their performance was head and shoulders above just about everything else available at the time.

There are plenty examples of prewar supercars if you apply the term correctly for that era.

[Save the old Dealer Signs!]

4 hours ago, tammyw said:

Hi there,

I am the daughter to Dennis Williams. I grew up at Clippinger Chevrolet. At the age of 8 I learned how to put stock away. Clippinger was such an incredible dealership. The Clippinger family was genuine and kind. Because it was my first job and I stayed in the parts department for years, the fond memories continue to linger. Clippinger Chevrolet was one part department that would find a part even if it was discontinued. My dad was an excellent Manager and his way of leading his team was incredible. Although this property is so sad looking, all I want to do is run the isles of the parts department on a skateboard. It was a thing!

Tammy, various members of my family have purchased many vehicles from Clippinger Chevrolet. 

And many, many years ago, my dad worked in the parts depts of Felix and Arrow Chevrolet. 

[1926 Buick Model 2548 Interior lights]

I've always heard the two rear lights on either side of the rear window referred to as 'opera lights'.

Your search may turn up better results if you use that term. 

[How do you determine if your car is "rare"?]

1 hour ago, edinmass said:

Zepher……..without trying to disrespect anyone. That car is just a checkbook away. You can buy as many as you want. I’m certain that anyone who owns a car like that has zero interest in what floats my boat. And from my perspective I wouldn’t cross the street to look at it. Valuable and desirable……absolutely not to me. My only interest in that car is if you gave it to me so I can dump it and buy something interesting…..

 

My point is perspective……..steam, electric, single cylinder, V-16, rotary, sleeve valve……the list is almost endless. Yesterday I was at a shop, and I was looking at an American Muscle car. Looked nice, hadn’t seen one in a long time. I asked the shop manager if it was a 150k dollar car. He said absolutely not…….the customer paid 1.2 million. Shows how much I know post war stuff. Interestingly the same owner was building two resto rods for over seven figures each. More stuff I have zero interest in. I respect craftsmanship and and the persuit of excellence, as well as wanting something unusual built to a bespoke specification. Cool in their own right, but nothing I want in my garage.

 

Point of all this is………an individual’s personal values and life experiences is what defines rare, unusual, desirable, and valuable. It’s all good……..but most of us will wonder what the people on the other side of the hobby are thinking. 
 

Someone once wrote “if you want to understand your values, look at your cancelled checks.” Probably the best definition of how to look at oneself for evaluation and reflection.

 

My sincere hope is all parts of the hobby respect each other……

 

 

My cousin also laid out over $130k to start the restoration on his dad's 1924 Chrysler roadster.

He knows the car isn't worth that but he wanted to give his dad a frame off restoration and do the car justice.

His dad has owned the car since the early 60's.

It was a purely sentimental outlay.

He plans on buying something like a Pierce or Packard when he gets a second, very large garage built.

He loves prewar cars and wants to own and drive a few.

He also grew up around my Grandfather's Pierce that I now own.

So people can have varied interests. 

He's always wanted a Maserati supercar so he wrote a check for one.

Took them two years to build it.

[How do you determine if your car is "rare"?]

35 minutes ago, prewarnut said:

Since "postwar" and "Ferrari" came up there's a "one of one" on BAT right now (I have no affiliation or interest in the sale).....so rarity happens quite commonly it would seem.

 

If you go by that definition, the 2022 Maserati MC20 my cousin took delivery of last year is rare.

He custom configured the entire car.

Paint, interior, trim, drive train, suspension, everything. 

And, it's valuable and desirable. 

[How do you determine if your car is "rare"?]

I own what could be considered a 'rare' car.

Few people have seen one in person let alone drive one or ride in one.

And I'm not talking about color combinations or that nonsense, I'm talking the entire car, regardless of configuration.

 

But, it being 'rare' certainly doesn't equate to value.

At this point, the rareness of my car relegates it to obscurity.

[What are you first hand driving experiences with pre-1930 cars?]

After driving very large trucks and equipment in my 20's I am fairly used to shifting without a clutch and I actually have more trouble shifting a prewar car when I double clutch.

When you upshift, you have to really listen and feel for when the car is ready to be moved into the next gear.

The gearshift lever should just 'fall' into place when you put pressure on it.

Never just yank on the shift lever.

As others have mentioned, you must drive and shift these cars like one would a modern big rig.

Slow, methodical take offs and short shifts.

If I have spent enough time in the driver's seat, I can effectively downshift without too much issue and zero noise or grinding.

It's all about rev matching so it will just fall into gear.

[What are you first hand driving experiences with pre-1930 cars?]

1924 Chrysler Model B Roadster - Nice off the line acceleration and shifting is great, both warm and cold. Handling is fantastic, sometimes feels like you can turn square corners.  Car is nimble but external contracting brakes are not confidence inspiring, especially if they get wet.  Driving position is very tight so if you're over 6ft and have any girth to you, you won't be comfortable in the driver's seat. Freeway speeds as fine as long as you don't push above 55mph too often. 

 

1926 Rickenbacker E6 Brougham - Decent power from the factory 6 cylinder, drivetrain is geared more for around town driving.  Can scoot away from a traffic light with most modern traffic but is not happy above 50mph. Handling is good and shifting is very easy, especially as the trans warms up, but braking is adequate.  Modern traffic can stop much, much faster than it can with its mechanical, 4 wheel drum brakes.  Overall a very enjoyable car to drive around town running errands.

 

1929 Pierce Arrow 143 Enclosed Drive Limousine - Huge, heavy car.  Longest wheelbase for 1929 and probably the heaviest factory body available. Won't win any races stop light to stop light but once up to speed it rides and handles beautifully.  Freeway speeds are not an issue.  Shifting is decent but better when cold, car has tons of torque so not downshifting at times is fine. Just takes a little longer to get back up to speed as long as you don't lug the engine. Brakes are fantastic and I have no worries driving in modern traffic. But, as with any vehicle this size and with a lack of power steering, parking can be a little difficult, especially when backing into a space.

 

[Reliving my childhood....]

That is a great toy.

Plenty of 'patina' and it even has a driver.

[1932 Franklin Value]

I would contact someone in the Franklin Club and have them give you their thoughts.

 

I'll send a link to this thread to one of my uncles that is a die hard Franklin guy.

He would be able to identify model and anything that isn't correct, right away.

[Post a picture of your father or grandfathers car..]

Thank you for cleaning up the pictures, it made a big difference.

Same car, some 50 or so years later.

 

 

[Ever see a step van at an AACA meet?]

There is a Metro van that runs around my area once in awhile.

I will try and snap a pic when I see it next time.

It's a really neat looking old van.

[Cool Old Hotels]

5 hours ago, Uncle_Buck said:

 

Mosey over to the Irma Hotel while in Cody to kick up a chair & wet your whistle to see what Buffalo Bill left us in the great state of Wyoming !!

I have been to the Irma many times.

The bar is a great place to mingle with locals and tourists, alike.

One of my cousins owns a horse ranch in Cody and Cody is on my short list of places to retire to.

[Cool Old Hotels]

7 hours ago, arcticbuicks said:

chateau lake louise,rockies west of Calgary

I've stayed there. 

Was going to post this one but you beat me to it.

[Post a picture of your father or grandfathers car..]

Pictures from Sept of 1969.

My grandfather and his Pierce Arrow on his farm and the Pierce sitting at the farm.

 

I now own his Pierce Arrow.

 

[Rickenbacer]

I will have to see if I can hunt down the ad for the Rickenbacker in Apple Valley.
I may know who is selling it.

 

[Shot in the dark on cordless tool battery repair]

There are a number of videos on YT on rebuilding or repairing power tool battery packs.

 

 

[My 1973 Buick Gran Sport won the People's Choice Award at the 2023 Audrain Concours]

Congratulations on such a huge honor.

Looks like those 70's cars are starting to get more attention these days.

[Articles: Classic Cars Less Harmful To The Environment Than EVs, Studies Finds]

3 hours ago, Peter Gariepy said:

The articles do. 

That comment was directed at the person I quoted, not the articles.

[New formula 88 degreaser is junk]

Here's your first clue that the product was going to produce less than stellar results - it is Calif approved.

[Articles: Classic Cars Less Harmful To The Environment Than EVs, Studies Finds]

26 minutes ago, MotiveLensPhoto said:

That's a specious argument. If I don't drive a newer ICE at all then it isn't emitting any chemicals. The argument should be made on emissions per mile driven.

Why would you not take into account the amount of environmental damage done just to produce the vehicle?
Cars don't just materialize out of thin air.