unimogjohn

Still Wednesday. Just in from Greg. Petty neat stuff. The SD looks right at home. "Views taken at the Springfield Ill fairgrounds track May 17, 2011. Allowed access late in the day, it still had the horseshoe prints in the clay. We got in maybe eight or ten laps. Got the car to a speed where the turns started to feel a little vague in the loose dirt, but probably nowhere near the speeds they were running in 1910. Then a couple hurried photos and hurried off the track so they could lock it up. After they gave us the "two minute warning" we drove the car through the fairground complex to take a couple more photos. The gate house had been erected in 1910. I hope Larue Vredenburgh was watching and approved." =

It is Wednesday, May 18th. Quick update. Greg called me late last night. They had arrived in Dayton where they will be for the next couple of days showing off the Stoddard Dayton. He also said that he was able to drive the car on the race track at the Springfield Fairgrounds. So now his dream of getting the car back on the track has been fulfilled. He is a happy man. I could tell it by the "spring" in his voice when he was talking about it. He said that they hoped that they would be back home by late Sunday, but could be a day or so after that.

Still Monday, Greg's #17 is going to be on display in Dayton for the next couple of days. Here is the link including pics. An old 1912 Stoddard-Dayton car is coming home to Dayton. From: Dayton's National Park <gregg_smith@nps.gov> Date: May 16, 2011 4:06:09 PM EDT To: paulg@discoveryofflight.org Subject: An old 1912 Stoddard-Dayton car is coming home to Dayton. Reply-To: gregg_smith@nps.gov Having trouble viewing this email? Click here Quick Links About Us 1912 Stoddard-Dayton (before and after). 1912 Stoddard-Dayton Racer Returns to Dayton 6:45 pm Wednesday, May 18, 2011 An old car is coming home. Greg Cone's 1912 Stoddard-Dayton will return to Dayton May 17-19 on its way from the Indianapolis and Springfield racetracks to his home in Warrenton, Virginia. Greg will exhibit the car at the Engineer's Club before the Wednesday's Aviation Heritage Speaker program at 7 pm. Cone's restoration of the Stoddard-Dayton project began in Chile,South America, where the remains of the car were found. They were purchased by Cone in 1977. It's a rare original example of the Stoddard Company's Model S, using a 50 horsepower overhead valve engine in a short wheelbase 106" chassis. A racing model, it is designed for removal of the road gear (fenders, lamps, etc), and can reach speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Cone has restored the Stoddard in the markings of racer Larue Vredenburgh, who died in a fatal crash at the Springfield track in a similar model in 1910. The wreck of Vredenburgh's car was returned to the Dayton factory. Cone has determined his model was manufactured in Dayton in August of 1912, making it possible that some of the Vredenburgh car was recycled into his model. Cone has worked on the restoration part-time for over 17 years. [The Stoddard-Dayton will be on display at Carillon Park on May 19.] All Aviation Heritage Speaker Series programs are on Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. at the Engineers Club, 110 East Monument Avenue, Dayton, Ohio. These events are FREE and open to the public. For more information please contact the National Park Service at 937-225-7705 or visit our website at Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service). Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park Forward email This email was sent to paulg@discoveryofflight.org by gregg_smith@nps.gov | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park | 16 South Willaims | Dayton | OH | 45402

Still Monday, but PM, about 7:30. Big thunderstorm coming. I can see it on radar. Just got this note from Greg so I better post it. "OJT. Learning how to unload, file and email Friday's pics. The Stoddard in the pits at Indy Early car lineup. National, Glenn Miller's American Simplex. More after I relinquish this Ramada guest computer for a while."

It is Monday, May 16th. Here is a Greg trip report from late Sunday. "It may have stopped raining on Sprinfield. No, wrong again. I find that this guest computer has a floppy disc capability. Enclosing some shots from the trip. 1. The Andy Granatelli Hall of Fame Museum . Parking no problem 2. Greg at the ACD Museum talking to David Coco/Trimacar, and our Cord owner. Hammond, recognize the background? 3. Unusual headlamp treatment to do to a Cord. Now I feel stupid for not having this camera with me at the track event." =

Still Sunday. Just received an update from Greg. Here it is. The track that Greg is talking about is the one in the postcards with the wrecked Stoddard Dayton. Greg was going to at least get a pic of the car at the track and the corner where the crash occurred. "We made it in to Springfield. Still raining and raw. Stopped by the fairgrounds. Huge with ornate buildings. Took a look at the track (in the rain) best we could. One mile track, I think. Huge grandstand, wide, clay track. We just signed in at the Ramada. Haven't seen the latest forecast, but wouldn't be surprised if I opt not to take the car first time out to a mud bath. Will keep you informed. GREG.

Oh my, what a sweet looking ride. You are sure to have lots of fun with her. Keep us posted, and do let us know what condition she is in. Give us the background on how you found her. We are all ears. Congratulations on your find.

Still Sunday. Worked on the horn this morning for a couple of hours. Was going to take out the horn and then noticed that one of the terminals on the horn seemed loose. So tighten it up and tried the horn button. She works! So pulled the combo switch from the dash and wired the horn into the ignition circuit. Done. Here are a couple of pics of the horn, and a video of it working.

It is Sunday, May 15th. Here is a video of yesterday's Celebration of Automobiles. Did not see Greg's SD. The Celebration Of Automobiles draws the unique at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - fox59.com Found more raw footage at http://www.fox59.com/videobeta/?watchId=94e7a980-e4bc-4765-acad-4513829f61bc I did some testing of the 23 McLaughlin Buick's horn yesterday. I got my meter out and check for voltage at the various connections. I get about 6.4 volts at the ignition switch were the horn gets its power from. When I press the horn button it drops to about 3 volts. So the horn button is working. I then took a long wire from the positive side of the battery directly to the horn, pressed the horn button and the horn did not work. So it looks like the horn has an issue. Will take some time today to pull it and see what is up.

Just received Greg's report for today/Saturday. Thought I better post it. "The Stoddard spent the night in the display tent with the other vintage racers. This morning we returned to the speedway to hang out and visit and cruise the museum. Looked up the other Stoddards in the general display area. One, a nicely kept touring car that had been in the same family since 1916. An Atlas engined 1911 or 12 Savoy type. Visited with the owner and crawled around it. I then noticed the other, one that goes way back in my life. Friend Temple Baldwin began it's restoration in the seventies also, through that car I met him and we've been lifelong friends since. Now in other hands, it still is a handsome five passenger red one. Back at the tent we learned that a storm cell was heading our way so we opted to pull the car from display. The trailer being stashed across the street from the speedway, with the help of the Millers, Dan drove the Suburban over for us so that we had an excuse to start and drive the Dayton out of the infield (through the tunnel with cutout open, and then a goose of the throttle just for effect) and out into traffic. While waiting at one traffic light beside a police car, he didn't take me up on my invitation to a high speed chase. Raining steadily ever since, I think we'll skip tomorrow's show and bug out for Springfield. I'd like to spend some time in the library there and snoop for any more information (pictures) of the '10 fair event. John Shanahan. I'm really glad you found me . I'd been looking for you around the Knox. I'm sorry I didn't get to spend more time with you. When we got everything lined up for our escape, my attention was diverted to the Stoddard-Dayton startup routine and ignored you. Glenn, Jeannie, and Dan Miller, we sure enjoyed your company. Ps. It looks like Barbara got some onboard video with her camera. Jim Davis, you might have to translate it into email for us when we get back. That's the latest I think."

It is Saturday, May 14th. Glad that Greg has found the time to send us a report. Here is his Friday PM narrative. Sounds like he is having a great time. "Got to the speedway first thing this morning, was directed to unload the car under the stadium bleachers with the other race cars. A beautiful morning and the weather although at times threatened to rain, it held off. Even this evening it is so pleasant outside. I don't have a count of vintage racers, the Stoddard was second oldest behind Glenn Miller's '08 American Simplex. An amazing assortment of thoroughbreds . Two '11 Nationals, one of which was the third place winner in the first 500. Mercer, Duesenberg, Millers, Stutzes, all manner of machines up to I guess the seventies. Buck Boudeman's Novi, but the Granatelli history at the track showed that they still own the place. An early Grancor single man car with a flathead Ford in it, and a few other cars from their past, including that dayglo red doorstop Lotus turbine car. I never ever thought I'd get to experience one of them . Lots of standing around and waiting, but eventually we were cleared to take out assigned spaces on pit row. We watched as some of the marque passenger cars filed past in parade, then the track was cleared for the vintage racers. We (the oldest) were led out onto the track and let go. The Stoddard started well and felt like it wanted to run. We got it up to a speed that indicated that the front wheels need balancing. That was the only speed limit imposed. So after a couple laps loping along close to sixty and plenty of pedal left, I pulled it back into the pit road and parked (unbroken) so that we could sit on the fence and watch the rest of the traffic go by at speed. Those Nationals really can carry the mail. The racers were separated into several divisions by age, so we got to see the best of the best go by. Screaming, rowdy, raucous high strung machinery. Johinny would have loved to hear the roadster with the DOHC Ford, I delighted in the turbine car that sounded more like a Stanley Steamer. What a history lesson! Anyway, after the track work, we put the cars into a tent area for weekend display and joined the Glenn Miller's for a great dinner and conversation. Tomorrow we'll go check on the car and hit the museum. Having a wonderful time, wish you were here. GREG. Wish I could send photos, but not with this guest computer setup."

It is Friday, May 12th, PM. Well I got some time to work on the 23 McLaughlin Buick today as it it raining, so no mowing. The first thing I did was to make a template and cut the rubber mat for the two sides next to the side plates. Came out good. I do have to get some T metal molding to secure everything together. Next year I plan to get some linoleum for the front, and carpet for the rear. Right now, the rubber mat will have to do. Here is a pic of the completed front. I also worked on the horn. I had the horn wired wrong, no wonder it did not work. I tested it, and it did its thing. I then connected it to the horn button. It worked a couple of times and then quit. I can see the discharge on the amp gauge when I press it, but no toot. At least I know it is wired correctly. I will probably pull the horn and check out its lubrication, etc. I also received sheet music in the mail today from a friend. It is in great condition. Here is a pic of that. Suppose to rain for at least the next five days here so will have some time to make little improvements to the 23. I a

It is Friday, May 13th. We got a report from Greg! "A midday launch yesterday/Wednesday, found us at the Dayton area for the night. Today a detour was made to the Auburn area to see the Granatelli museum (which wasn't open), and then the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. That was worth the trip. Amazing collection in the original ACD corporate building. I even got my picture taken standing by an Auburn cabriolet that we did at White Post (remember Hammond?). It still looks great and I was captured phoning David (aka Trimicar) Coco (you know, the Cord owner who hasn't been to the museum) trying my best to rub it in. I would forward the photo, but this motel computer won't take the floppy discs used in this camera. John, the rig is working great! Tomorrow is signing in for the Indianapolis Festival of Automobiles and running the race track, if it doesn't rain as predicted." That's the latest from Indianapolis.

I have bought several oversize, self tapping plugs from this company. It is a permanent fix. Over Size and Repair Oil Drain Plugs

Jim must have had that darn video camera going the entire time. Here is an expanded version of yesterday. Hope that Greg has the time to keep us updated or at least a phone call or two. And here is some history of the Stoddards and how they came to form the company, and a bit of history about the company and its cars. http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/stories3/stoddard_dayton_story.pdf Oh, and on the 23 speedo. Put in the extra link, greased everything up, and installed it. Worked for about a second. Looks like tomorrow I will take it back out and see what is up. The speedo is really easy to turn so it has to be something with that pesky chain. Have to mow seven acres of pastures so that is taking priority right now. Got to cut down those butter cups, llamas do not like them, just too bitter.

Jim Davis also shot a video of the Stoddard Dayton yesterday. And yes, it is a bit awkward trying to get into the car. It is really high off the ground. It does have fenders and a running board in its non-race configuration. Yes, that is Greg and yours truly.

OK, here are the two videos that I took of the Stoddard Dayton. The first one is Greg starting it, and the second is of us taking a a very short ride as it did not have any water in the radiator.

Still Tuesday PM. Spent a few hours working on the speedo and chain. Well, it was pretty obvious when I took off the housing and chain; a link had snapped. Why? I pulled the speedo and checked it against the spare that I had. The one in the car was really hard to turn so I figured the torque to turn it was just too much for the chain. See pic. I tore into the speedo and found that the gearing was really tight. I carefully applied lube, but it was still hard to turn, and to top it off the little gear pegs that rotate the speedo gear were worn. See pic. So looked at the spare, lubed it carefully, and it rotated easily. Looks good inside with no gear swelling, etc. So switched the white and black faces, and the special trim piece to fit my wood dash and put it back into the car. Pics of what it looks like inside. I have a "made up cable" that I bought on Ebay a while back. So attempted to try that, nope too long. See two pics. So I have to find a chain link. Update! When I bought the chain link last year, the vendor provided me with an envelope with a note that said "here is an extra chain link in case you break one". Thank you Fred. So tomorrow it looks like I can put everything back together.

It is Tuesday, PM. JB, thanks I will keep your transmission offer in mind. I did take an electric drill and on low speed tested the spare speedo that I have. It works! Now I will pull the one in the car and test it. Hope to do that today. But this morning I went down to take a look at Greg's 1911 Stoddard Dayton. What a great looking machine. Greg is about done, and plan to wrap everything up tonight. Loading will be early tomorrow morning and then he will be off about 8 AM. He has decided to use my 03 Suburban and enclosed trailer for the trip. Glad he took me up on the offer. Here are pics of the car. I also shot a couple of video's and will post them on Youtube tonight.

Are you sure you have the distributer wires going to the right plug? Since you are getting fuel and spark, you could be just one off. Take a few minutes and move each one forward and then back to see if you are off by one.

Still Monday. I have three things I want to sort out on the 1923 McLaughlin Buick. They are: 1. get the horn working; 2. finish putting rubber mat on the floor; and 3. get the speedometer in and working. So what to do, decided that I would tackle number 3 first. After a couple of years looking I finally found the correct transmission gear assembly and then the correct casing and cable. I have a couple of speedometers, and both turn easily; I hope that one of them works. I pulled the floor board to get at the transmission. I had a rubber plug in the hole for the speedo drive so no dirt was able to get in. So cleaned up the threads in the transmission with a Dremel tool and a little wire wheel. The gear went in with a little wiggling and seated itself. I then put on the cable, and took the car for a spin. Well, nothing. Not even a little flutter. Tomorrow I plan to disconnect the cable from the speedo, and then drive the car a short way. That way I can see if the wire is moving. At least that will narrow down the problem, the gear or the speedo. The transmission had been rebuilt, but who know what was done to it. And I also found a long crack in the torque tube housing. Looks to be really old. I will just keep an eye on it. Here are some pics of the little project.

It is Monday, May 9th. Here is Greg's weekend report. I think that Greg leaves for Indianapolis on Thursday so he has lots to do. The Stoddard Dayton is looking more and more like the race car. "Fast weekend. Saturday was a fun day, part of which was spent at the Shenandoah Region Apple Blossom Meet. Some highlight cars were Paul Rose's newly acquired '23 Buick roadster. I'd say barn fresh, but it doesn't look like it was ever in a barn. Wonderful machine. We'll have to get some detail shots of it. Nothing done to it (ever except tires and radiator hoses). The Feser's and Ed Sine also brought '23 Buicks too. A special reward for me was seeing Bill Sandy's '23 Cadillac touring. Especially special because it was not only bought new in my home town (Winchester), and served as a taxi cab there, but also an exceptionally well preserved original paint survivor. And tragically , leaving the Blosssom meet some years ago, Bill met with a snow plow head on. I'd heard that the car was almost totalled. It was there yesterday looking as if it had never been touched. Fantastic. Also close to home was the appearance of a Studebaker R2 Super Lark that had been bought new in a neighboring town. Very nicely restored, it brought to mind the night I sought it out and got a ride in it. An apology at the time because it had blown exhaust gaskets, that actually made the experience even more memorable in a supercharged Lark. My progress? More detailing on the SD. Nuts, bolts, cotters, touchup paint, greasing greascups after cutting threads deeper to fit my fittings. And Scott came in today to do the lettering. He is using Benjamin Moore latex house paint that will come off without harming the gray finish. The enclosed pictures show: 1. Some of the computer study of the post card photo of Vredenburgh's car. 2. Scott laying out the license number painted on the rear of the car. 3. Finished number. 4. Laying out the hood numbers. 5. Note that as in the photo, the seven has a misstroke and the painter had overshot the hood and got the cowl. 6. While Scott was doing that I spent some time on the hubcaps. Photo shows milling the octagons on the rear caps. I'm ready to give them their first buffing to find the flaws yet to come out. All for now. Busy time."

I rewired my 1923 McLaughlin Buick myself using the wiring diagram in the little shop manual. Was not that difficult. I just called Rhode Island Wiring RhodeIslandWiring.com and got the correct wire and connectors. I did use their armored cable wire also for the light circuits, and they came out well. They were very helpful also, I just told that what I was doing and they recommended the size of wire. I then bought the wire in bulk and cut to length. Of course they sell the complete harness for what you want if you are so inclined.

And finally, here are some detailed pics of Paul's 1923 Buick, model 54. It looks to be 99% complete and original. Paul's plan is to do nothing now that it is running and driving, other than finding a used tire for the double spare. I also think that I have a pic or two of him picking up the car in January of this year.

Here are some other pics that I took at the show.