Marty Roth

The Grand National in 2017 is in Independence, MO (Kansas City area). Extend yourself a bit, and you might just get BOTH the Grand national First, as well as a 1st Preservation ;-)

The hopeful buy has changed his mind, as we are a bit too far away from him. Our Eddie Bauer Explorer 4X4 is still available.

I added additional info, above

Ed, I know someone in PA whose 1936 convertible coupe has this type of protector. I'll try to phone tomorrow to see if they have a photo, and are willing to share. Beyond this, I'm quite certain our AACA Library would be able to share photos of several examples. Our library, and our team of professionals are not only expert at locating rare information, but also provide 1-1/2 hours annually of free research to each member as part of the benefit of membership.

Earl, it may just be possible to substitute a manual cable to control the shutters, bypassing the thermostat. I've not found it a problem on the '41 Cadillac to leave them blocked open - disconnected from the 'stat. The engine warms up in a reasonable time, and the 2 heaters under the front seat, as well as the defogger seem adequate, even with the top down, which is how we generally like to use ours. If I get the spare time, I'll likely ask to have mine rebuilt since it has been this way from before I bought the Caddy in 2006.

Ken was truly a nice guy, and a real "Car Guy". The couple of times we spoke, I was impressed by his direct and thorough, but easy-going manner, along with his vast areas of knowledge. Ken was an easy guy with whom to sit and share a conversation. The '54 Chevy panel truck was one of my favorites, and certainly one of his too.

First, remove the fuel filler cap and try blowing back through the fuel line to the tank to ensure that there is no blockage, then, Disconnect the coil wire to the distributor and spin the engine over, but not too long as to run the starter too long - may be necessary to pause and repeat. Take fuel line loose at carburetor to ensure that fuel is getting through. If fuel gets to the carb,but not into it, the float or the needle valve could be stuck, and need to be freed. Many will add an in-line electric fuel pump, installed on the inner side of the frame rail. This can be used to prime the system on initial startup, especially after long-term storage, and can also be helpful with regard to vapor lock due to modern "corn gas" and high temperatures. Good luck, and let us know how you make out

Alex, Is that the one which came from the gentleman in Madisonville, Louisiana several years back? Great car !

Earl, the thermostat is right at the radiator and uses a rod/bar to regulate the opening/closing of the shutter system to increase/decrease the flow of air through the radiator. The vertical chromed grille bars likely have no significant effect on the amount of air through the radiator. Having the shutters wired open may only slightly delay the time it takes for the coolant to reach operating temperature. Living in the Deep South, and touring as much as we do, mine is wired open for now, warms up easily, and doesn't overheat - and you know how much we drive our yellow '41 Cabriolet. This summer, between mid June and mid-September we drove on the: AACA Sentimental Tour - Salisbury, NC CCCA CARavan - Ohio AACA Founders Tour - Huntingdon, PA VMCCA Heritage Tour - Grand Rapids, MI AACA Divisional Tour - Ashland, VA VMCCA Glidden Tour - North Conway, NH - and even drove it up and down the Mount Washington Toll Road (Steeper than Pikes Peak) The 1941 Cadillac Series 62 does not steer as lightly as our 1937 Roadmaster 80C, and has a somewhat different driving character. Each are special in their own way, and each are examples I would regret to lose.

With all due respect to Earl's comment, and his preference for the 40 Series, there is nothing negative with the 50 Series like Bob's car, above. We toured our 34-57 for 20 years, and then did a proper restoration, taking it to AACA Senior Grand Classic. We then passed it along to another very appreciative caretaker. Sure the Chevy-sized 40-Series had the more modern changes to the engine, and 5 more horsepower, but it lacked much of the refinement of the 50/60/90 Series cars, like the chrome trumpet horns, more deluxe interior, longer wheelbase, etc.

Bob, - Overdrive rather than permanent change of ratio, in my opinion. Lloyd Young in Canal-Winchester, Ohio modified my torque tube and installed a 30% Borg Warner oversrive. That way I had the lower gearing for just around town or for extremely steep climbs such as Pikes Peak, and the higher gearing for freeway cruising. The '34 Buick, with its vacuum-assisted 4-wheel power brakes, has more than ample stopping power from freeway speed, and I was even able to drive the Buick as a 5-speed, even though it was entirely unnecessary. The installed cost was significantly more affordable than the new Gearvendor unit, and is "of the period. It never gave me trouble. The '34-57 has significantly more value than the '52 Super Riviera 56-R, at least in my opinion. Maybe if the owner of the other car was willing to swap plus a reasonable amount of cash ???? In 1952 the Super was 3,775 lb on a 121.5 wheelbase and 204.8" overall - 124 hp (stick) or 128 with Dynaflow. Either way could be a great car. My wife would say "get both of them". you could decide later if one is less to your liking.

Received ours Friday - completed it, and handed it back to the postman as he came up the other side of the street ! Have had the same spaces since they opened the Chocolate Field in 1984.

When we first bought the 365,xxx mile 1960 Valiant V-200, it was burning oil at a rate of 15 miles per quart. Prior to affording the 60/40 mix for 4 successive oil & filter changes to free up and flush the sludge, my factory-untrained Muck-kanik used his Left-handed SAE Vice Grip to install the J. C. Wit-Less Smoke Sifter to minimize hazards to our New Jersey mosquitos.

Best to Howard, Chris, Angelica, Annette, Dan, and all family, Looking forward to touring with y'all again soon

CAJUN NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Down here in Cajun Country, with Tee-Pee shaped Bonfires a-blazin', Pere Noel is comin' up 'da Bayou in his Batteau, pulled by Gaston the Green-nosed Alligator, with gifts and toys for the good li'l Chill'ren, ... and Hanukkah Harry is right alongside him, too. Cajun Night Before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas, an' all t'ru de house, Dey don't a t'ing pass, not even a mouse. De chirren been nezzle good snug on de flo', An' Mama pass de pepper t'ru de crack on de do'. Den Mama in de fireplace done roas' us de ham, Stir up de gumbo, an' make de baked yam Den out on de bayou dey got such a clatter... Make soun' like old Boudreaux done fall off his ladder. I run like a rabbit to got to de do'... Trip over de dawg an' fall on de flo'! As I look out de do' in de light o' de moon, I t'ink, "Manh, you crazy, or got ole too soon." Cuz dere on de bayou when I stretch ma' neck stiff... Dere's eight alligator a-pullin' de skiff... An' a little fat drover wit' a lone polein' stick... I know r'at away got to be ole St. Nick... Mo' fas'er an' fas'er de 'gator dey came. He whistle an' holler an' call dem by name: "Ha, Gaston! Ha, Tiboy! Ha, Pierre an' Alcee! Gee, Ninette! Gee, Suzette! Celeste an' Renee!" To de top o' de porch dem ole 'gator clime! Wit' de skiff full o' toy an' St. Nicklus behin'. Den on top de porch roof it soun' like de hail When all dem big 'gator done sot down dey tail!---- Den down de chimney he fell wit' a bam... An' St. Nicklus fall an' sit on de yam! "SACRE!" he axclaim "Ma pant got a hole. I done sot mase'f on dem red hot coal!" He got on his foots an' jump like a cat... Out to de flo' where he lan' wit' a SPLAT! He was dress in musk-rat from his head to his foot An' his clothes is all dirty wit' ashes an' soot. A sack full o' playt'ing he t'row on his back. He look like a burglar, an' dass fo' a fack! His eyes how dey shine...his dimple, how merry! Maybe he been drink de wine from blackberry! His cheek was like rose...his nose like a cherry... On secon' tought maybe he lap up de sherry! --- Wit' snow-white chin whisker an' quiverin' belly, He shook when he laugh like de stromberry jelly! But a wink in his eye...an' a shook o' his head... Make my confidance dat I soon got to be scared. He don' do no talkin'...gone straight to his work... Put playt'ing in sock an' den turn wit' a jerk! He put bot' his han' dere on top o' his head, He cas' an eye on de chimney an' den he done said: "Wit' all o' dat fire an' dem burnin' hot flame.. . Me I ain' goin' back by de way dat I came." So he run out de do' an' he clime to de roof... He ain' no fool, him, for to make one more goof. He jump in his skiff an' crack his big whip. De 'gator move down an' don' make one slip. An' I hear him shout loud as a splashin' he go: "Marry C'rismas to all...till I saw you some mo'!"

Thanks Grimy, Sad - funny, but still sad... Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and whatever else you feel appropriate for those you hold dear Down here in Cajun Country, with Tee-Pee shaped Bonfires a-blazin', Pere Noel is comin' up 'da Bayou in his Batteau, pulled by Gaston the Green-nosed Alligator, with gifts and toys for the good li'l Chill'ren, ... and Hanukkah Harry is right alongside him, too. Cajun Night Before Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas, an' all t'ru de house, Dey don't a t'ing pass, not even a mouse. De chirren been nezzle good snug on de flo', An' Mama pass de pepper t'ru de crack on de do'. Den Mama in de fireplace done roas' us de ham, Stir up de gumbo, an' make de baked yam Den out on de bayou dey got such a clatter... Make soun' like old Boudreaux done fall off his ladder. I run like a rabbit to got to de do'... Trip over de dawg an' fall on de flo'! As I look out de do' in de light o' de moon, I t'ink, "Manh, you crazy, or got ole too soon." Cuz dere on de bayou when I stretch ma' neck stiff... Dere's eight alligator a-pullin' de skiff... An' a little fat drover wit' a lone polein' stick... I know r'at away got to be ole St. Nick... Mo' fas'er an' fas'er de 'gator dey came. He whistle an' holler an' call dem by name: "Ha, Gaston! Ha, Tiboy! Ha, Pierre an' Alcee! Gee, Ninette! Gee, Suzette! Celeste an' Renee!" To de top o' de porch dem ole 'gator clime! Wit' de skiff full o' toy an' St. Nicklus behin'. Den on top de porch roof it soun' like de hail When all dem big 'gator done sot down dey tail!---- Den down de chimney he fell wit' a bam... An' St. Nicklus fall an' sit on de yam! "SACRE!" he axclaim "Ma pant got a hole. I done sot mase'f on dem red hot coal!" He got on his foots an' jump like a cat... Out to de flo' where he lan' wit' a SPLAT! He was dress in musk-rat from his head to his foot An' his clothes is all dirty wit' ashes an' soot. A sack full o' playt'ing he t'row on his back. He look like a burglar, an' dass fo' a fack! His eyes how dey shine...his dimple, how merry! Maybe he been drink de wine from blackberry! His cheek was like rose...his nose like a cherry... On secon' tought maybe he lap up de sherry! --- Wit' snow-white chin whisker an' quiverin' belly, He shook when he laugh like de stromberry jelly! But a wink in his eye...an' a shook o' his head... Make my confidance dat I soon got to be scared. He don' do no talkin'...gone straight to his work... Put playt'ing in sock an' den turn wit' a jerk! He put bot' his han' dere on top o' his head, He cas' an eye on de chimney an' den he done said: "Wit' all o' dat fire an' dem burnin' hot flame.. . Me I ain' goin' back by de way dat I came." So he run out de do' an' he clime to de roof... He ain' no fool, him, for to make one more goof. He jump in his skiff an' crack his big whip. De 'gator move down an' don' make one slip. An' I hear him shout loud as a splashin' he go: "Marry C'rismas to all...till I saw you some mo'!"

Just personal choice- I prefer them on some cars, not on others, and prefer not to force my opinions on others. Hey, it is your car, right?

Quote of Mark McAlpine The quote is from George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (I only know this because I had to look it up recently for a paper I was editing.) ... For those who haven't visited the AACA Library & Research Center, if you had you'd know why they need a new facility. Merry Christmas everyone! Here's to happy & peaceful 2017 (and an acceptable resolution to the museum issue). Thank you Mark, I guess we've heard this misquoted. The lesson is well-received, or should be.

Grimy,I've done both - and people are people, no matter where, or the background. Many (possibly most?) are very decent, regardless of the stereotype, at least in my experience. Of course there are always those who make us appreciate those less so.

Cursive? Thanks for your comments Earl. History, our club, as well as national, is so important. Remember the old saw "Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it"?

Matt, One possibility may be that the potential buyer hoped that the car would not be completely as described, and he could pick it apart and then make an outrageously low offer as a negotiating ploy. I've had more than one "buyer" approach me in this manner, and just chalk it up to experience. Not long ago I had someone approach, with the comment that he could find a better one at half the price, so I wished him luck and advised that he "go for it". The sweetness of a CHEAP price is soon lost when dealing with an inferior product.

Thank you, I spoke with the gentleman. He appears genuine, and I look forward to his consideration.

Link to trailering capability: The link I found shows anywhere from 5,400 lb to 7,000 lb, depending on your choice of hitch (standard VS Equalizer) http://hillerford.com/v2/resource_library/2003/2003suvs/2003explorer4dr/03expl4drtrailertow.htm

We are still hoping to find an excellent bumper. If you have one, or know of one, perhaps on a car which has rear damage, please contact me. This 1995 Fleetwood Brougham is a marvelous cruiser, and repairs from the unfortunate damage are almost complete, with the exception of the front bumper and corner lights.

Vic, That is a beautiful Stearns-Knight. I hope your '34 Buick still doing well.