Steve Braverman

Wow. I find it hard to believe that a Franklin owner would do such a thing, but as mentioned earlier, we are a tight bunch, and these parts may surface. Many years ago my grandfather had his 1923 Pierce Arrow for sale in the Blue Field and somebody stole some interior parts out of it. This happened while it was on a trailer attached to the motor home we were all sleeping in. I doubt that the thief was a Pierce Arrow owner, but you never know.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. My father started out in the hobby as a teenager in the late 1950s. He had cars of the 30s because he thought they were neat. His first car was a 1934 Buick that he got with a blown engine, that he was going to make a hot rod out of because that was what all the kids at school were doing. Luckily he met a man only a few years older than himself that helped him to get the car running and taught him about antique cars. He joined AACA around 1959 and has been a member ever since. When I was a youth, and wanted to get my own car, the only thing I could afford at the time was a Corvair. This was in 1988. I thought they were interesting because they were air-cooled just like Dad's Franklin. Dad thought of it as just a used car. Today, the newest Corvair is older than the 1934 Buick was when my dad got it.

Then it is probably for a 1933-34 V-12 Franklin, as they were the only Franklins to use a down-draft carb.

Is this a down-draft carburetor?

I forgot that a 1930 Plymouth probably has wood wheels and the puller I have that attaches to the lug studs won't work. You need the hubcap style as shown above. They aren't available new as far as I know.

The proper tool is available from any good tool dealer. Try your local NAPA store or Snap on guy.

This will be my 32nd Hershey, I missed 1985. According to my mother, I spoke my first words at Hershey '75 as I looked out of our motorhome at my grandfather's 1906 Cadillac, "O cah." I was a weird kid. I may be crazy, but I miss the smell of mud and crushed grass. Oh, and where did all the <span style="font-weight: bold">old </span>cars go?

The man you need is Cecil Nuxoll in Spokane Washington, 1-509-838-1735 his business is:TRUMPET HORNS 934 W.16TH STREET SPOKANE WASHINGTON 09203

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1948Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Daewoo manufacters those small sized chevys for chevy ( what are those pieces of s?!" named?)</div></div> I actually have one of those "pieces of S@#^%," and so does my dad. Although, ours are badged as Suzuki. They were the least expensive new cars we could find, they are surprisingly well-made, and so far completely trouble-free. My Forenza wagon was one of the few small wagons available with a manual transmission, and I got it for $11k out the door brand new after rebates. We also looked at Toyotas, Hyundais, and a few others, but they were more money and much more crappy. No domestic or Japanese company makes a decent, basic, entry-level car for a good price anymore. Also, the Korean company's warranty can't be beat. If GM marketed them better, they would sell more of them.

Today's car prices are totally inflated anyway. Why is it that other merchandise, such as computers and other electronics have come way down in price while cars have only gone way up. Today's entry level econoboxes start at about $15k. Microwave ovens and tube televisions used to be a major purchase, my microwave cost $20 at Sears and a 27" TV can be bought for about $100. A decent car can be a year's salary for some people. Henry Ford would not be happy. I think a $2,500 car today might be a little optimistic, but a decent car for $10k shouldn't be.

The thing on the side of the engine is an oil level gauge. It may not be working. There is a little float in the oil pan. Take another look at it. The top of your carb is probably pot metal. Keep looking for a new one. What Bob says about the free wheeling is right, but the button on mine was disabled at some point. Free wheeling is dangerous, and many people disabled it. Keep playing with this car, and you will like it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tommygunner06</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now will I need a special gas cap or were most Ford/Lincolns screw on? </div></div> Keep in mind that NO parts interchanged between Lincolns and Fords at that time. The gas cap on the Lincoln probably cost more than all of the trim on a 31 Ford. Get some sort of real filter on the car. A bug screen isn't going to cut it.

I own a 32 Franklin, and I used to own a 31 Lincoln, in fact, I sold the Lincoln to buy the Franklin. They are basically polar opposites as far as cars go in almost every way, but I think tommygunner was referring to the styling, which is similar. Side-mounted spare tires were an option on most cars of this era, even on a seven-passenger sedan as you describe. I don't know anything about Ford Jeeps, but the brakes on the Lincoln are cable-actuated mechanicals. I have never adjusted them, so I would try to find a manual for the car. Try Walter Miller in Syracuse, NY. I think his site is www.autolit.com. The carburettor is a Stromberg two-barrel. The original air filter is a very heavy canister type. If your carb is falling apart, I would try to get something modern and light that will work. Try K&N filter. They have something for everything. The horn button on this car will rock to either side. It should have been equipped with "town and country" horns. Push one side and get a beep, the other and get an ahooga. Look on eBay for a gas cap, or take a trip to Hershey next month. A 31 Lincoln is a fantastic car. Fast, easy to drive, and very road-worthy if it's in proper order. The build quality on these cars was second to none.

Actually you can get passenger plates on any pickup that weighs less than a specific weight, I think it's 6,000 lbs. It used to be the rule that you needed a cap on the bed to get passenger plates. In most parts of the state it doesn't really matter, but if you live downstate, the parkways are off-limits to commercial plates. By the way, NY does give refunds if you turn in your plates before they expire, it just takes a while to get your money.

Got a picture?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gary_N</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And, not to offend all of you Dodge guys, but those things are just too loud!</div></div> I've recently driven the newest Dodge and Ford diesels and they are both about the same as far as noise. Both much quieter than a few years ago.

My last Dodge had 235,000 miles on it, and while the 5.9 V8 ran fine, the rest of the truck started to fall apart around it. I didn't buy it new, but it seemed well maintained.

Hi Scott, I agree with the crowd about preferring Dodge trucks. I have had two of them, both 2500 3/4 ton. Both of mine have had the 5.9 V8 with the 5-speed manual transmission. They tow well. I prefer the manual, many others will say that automatic is the way to go. That's your preference. I will warn you about my most recent Dodge problem, my truck is a 1995 with 95k miles and it looks great. The body is rust-free and straight. When I tried to use it to tow my Franklin to the Trek last month, I got three miles from home and a brake line let go. I brought it to the dealer for repair (I hate working on modern iron) and they showed me advanced rust and rot on the frame to the point that they don't think it will pass inspection. Now I'm kinda screwed with this thing. Another Dodge dealer told me that after the Diamler merger, the trucks were much better. My next truck might be diesel. I have always lusted after a Cummins powered truck, but the price difference new or used is significant. For example I just looked at two 2004 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab trucks with that were basically the same as far as condition and options, one had the Hemi and 70k miles, and one was diesel with 65k miles, the Hemi-powered truck is $15,000 and the diesel is $24,000. As much as I love the Cummins engine, it would take a lot of towing to make it worth that kind of money difference. You're going to get many answers on this one, and they are all probably right. A good rule is to stay with a 3/4 ton truck unless you are going with an open trailer and are going to stay with Franklins, then a half-ton is fine. By the way, my enclosed trailer also serves as an extra, un taxed garage.

I know this is a little off-topic, but I have an annoying problem. I have a 1995 Dodge Ram 2500. The body looks great with no rust, but the chassis is actually rotting away to the point of possibly not passing the NY State safety inspection. Has anyone else had a problem like this? I guess the bodies are rust-proofed so well yet the frames are not. I would rather the body fall apart and still be able to use the truck than have a beautiful truck with an un-safe chassis. The guys at the Dodge dealer just shrug their shoulders.

First of all, I am probably younger than most of you, yet I may have been a member longer than many of you. I have been an AACA member for 27 of my 33 years. I was pulled from school to go to Hershey, and I loved it. I was also pulled from school three times to attend Glidden Tours. I loved that too. And yes, my devotion to this hobby is probably due to these childhood experiences. Now that I am older and a little wiser, I do not think that I would pull my own child from school to attend a meet. Keep in mind that this is usually the first or second week of school in most areas. I usually like what Wayne has to say, but I can not agree with him here. The fact that I am a teacher also factors in to my opinion on this argument. We get enough vacation time, and my principal would frown upon me missing the first or second week of school. I can't understand the anti-kid point of view. Yes, there are some rotten kids, but guess what, there are also plenty of adults whose company I can do without. Thank you Steve for your quick response, but I am having a hard time accepting your reasons for holding meets after Labor Day. I believe that tour locations are usually picked out a few years in advance, so finding accomodations should not be a problem. Most hotels would have no problem bumping a few reservations that may have been placed two years in advance in exchange for a guaranteed full house for a week. Actually Steve, I really wanted to hear your feelings on Packards42's ridiculous statement.

Is anybody else going to weigh in on Packards42's comment? If his sentiments are truly the attitude of the AACA, then it's only a matter of time before the Glidden Tour and other events geared toward early cars disappear. I am always hearing people discuss ways to get younger interest in the older cars. If the club intentionally excludes younger families, then we are only serving to make ourselves extinct. This is supposed to be a family hobby, not an old fart exclusive snob club. I would really like to hear Steve Moskowitz'a opinion on this one.

It's a 1932 PB Convertible sedan. There were only two-door convertible sedans that year, no four-doors. It is not a common car. My grandfather restored one years ago and gave it to my mother. She sold it unfortunately. Desoto used the same body in '32 also, and my father had one of those. He sold his in the late 60s. I wish I had either of them today.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: packards42</div><div class="ubbcode-body">no children please. Granparents only. </div></div> That's a great attitude. I hope you are not being serious.

I would love to go to the Glidden Tour. I haven't been on one since I was a kid, My parents had to take me out of school, which looking back probably wasn't a good thing for them to do. Now I'm a teacher, and so I can't go for another 25-30 years until I retire. Steve Moskowitz says there are good reasons why the Glidden is always after labor day, but I haven't heard any of them.

Art. Old Alemite grease guns are around. If you can't find one, I probably have one lying around. Steve