Marty Roth

You don't HAVE to put anything in, especially if you don't ever drive the car hard, BUT.... for a few bucks more.....I use: only No-Ethanol - except when unavailable on tour. Even then, for each 10 gallons of gas , I add: 4 oz Marvel Mystery Oil 1 oz Alemite CD-2 Lead Substitute and I also add Star-Tron with every tank to reduce the effects of Ethanol Gas, and as a gas preservative for storage (you never know when a car might get laid-up unexpectedly) ...all this despite the fact that when I rebuilt the engine I went with Stellite hardened valve seats, a 3-angle valve grind (and balanced aluminum pistons) ..... by the way, all of my cars get the same combination of additives, and YES, some will tell me it is a waste of money, natural resources, and is hurting some endangered species somewhere, but I'm comfortable with this regimen, and so far, my cars seem to be thriving. They generally survive even the long drives to-and-from the tours without complications, and think they are the Energizer Bunny, going, and going, and going...

At least Hemmings Classic Car continues to be of interest, but sometimes it seems that Motor Trend has lost its way, and has anyone noticed how diminished the articles, and especially the advertising have become in Old Cars Weekly News & Marketplace? There was a time when I couldn't wait for the kids to finish their homework so I could get to the latest issues of Sports Car Graphic, Road & Track, Car & Driver, Citroen Car Club News, etc. Thankfully we still have AACA's Antique Automobile, Buick Bugle, Self-Starter, Generator & Distributor, Bulb Horn, Horseless Carriage Gazette, and some fine local and region newsletters.... and especially this FORUM !!

Hey Dave, Vey best to you and Sue, and thanks for all that you do for the club

Same as mine !

Beautiful car...

Larry, Thanks again for all the work that you and Shirley did to make the AACA Founders Tour such a pleasure. The choice of roads, scenery, and attractions were amazing - especially the Richie Cline and Sandy & Bob Bahre collections, and the many seaside vistas. Following your beautiful car around the NASCAR track was certainly a highlight we won't soon forget, and the New England seafood is always special to us. Best regards from Dale and me.

Buzzards are a wonderful bunch, and we've enjoyed the fellowship as members of our region for more years than I can remember... It just keeps getting better and better, especially because of the members and the attitude

In this instance I'll have to agree with Bernie - use it and enjoy it for as long as you can. If you are excessively concerned with maintaining the relatively pristine appearance, then use a blanket over the seat while driving, and take it off when you get to the "Cruise Night" or your club outing. I had a neighbor who put those sticky sweaty clear plastic solid covers over a nice comfortable cloth brocade, and put hard rubber floor mats over the really nice carpeting of his Olds 98. Although he and his wife both smoked cigarettes, they both used a bean-bag accessory ash tray rather than the one built into the Olds so everything would be "clean" for the next owner. The car was probably 11 - 12 years old when they traded or sold it, and I doubt the price they got for the Olds was that much better than if they had enjoyed the cloth seats and carpeting, and the odor of cigarette smoke was in the car even if the ash tray appeared spotless. Maybe it is just because of my rapidly advancing age, but I believe in enjoying life to my fullest extent possible. Many years ago I changed careers so that I could take time to old-car-tour with my family instead of being "married" to a computer center. I once heard something about not wanting to arrive at the "Pearly Gates" in a perfectly preserved, relatively unused body, but rather to skid in sideways, completely used-up and worn-out, rumpled, dust and grit flying, shouting "Holy #@&%, What a Ride"

Helfen, I do remember that era, but not as fondly as the earlier stuff. THey were moderately decent, but just didn't serve to excite me. When they (the Colonnade style) were new, we were enjoying our '17 Franklin, '27 Chevy Roadster, '58 Bel-air 4-door sedan, and collection of the varied (wierd and wonderful?) Citroen vehicles - some as everyday drivers, and we were still driving our '69 Pontiac Custom-S. Sometimes I think I'm "Lost in the Fifties", or maybe even the '30s... Thanks for your response.

Helfen is correct with regard to the performance aspect, and with his specification regarding the 112" vs. 116" wheelbase of the 1969 Tempest/CustomS/LeMans models. When they were new, I considered buying the 2-door hardtop, but my impending marriage made the 4-door sedan a better choice for me. I also chose my options to keep the car "FUN" to drive by selecting the Pontiac (not Chevy) 350ci V8 and the 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic M400 tranny, front disc brakes, F-41 suspension package, and other items important to me and my wife. Yes, this combination may have given up a bit of performance/handling with regard to the extra weight associated with the 4" longer wheelbase. On the other hand, for the purpose of towing our 22ft boat, I believe that the additional wheelbase length added a measure of stability. For the ease of belting in the infant seats when GM first released their "Safety Seat", for the convenience of transporting aging parents with the additional 4" - presumably increasing rear legroom along with the convenience of a 4-door, the 4-door sedan was the right car at the right time, at least for me. Did I give up some performance, acceleration, and maybe even some economy of purchase and operation with the added weight and length of a 4-door model? Statistically I'm sure I did, but life is a series of decisions. What was right for me in buying a 2-door convertible in 1959, and a 4-door sedan in 1969, and a 2-door convertible in 2009, - may or may not be right for me in 2015, and may or may not be right for you tomorrow. Do I want performance, handling, comfort, economy, style, value for my dollars, or some combination of those factors? Choices - choices - choices -- we all make them !

http://www.springsnthings.com/ is a company I've dealt with many times - all American made products at very fair prices for springs, suspension, and steering components http://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ Eaton Detroit Spring - long-time leader in the industry I hope they can help you Since you are rteplacing the spacers, it would be a good idea to replace the springs and shocks at the same time, and take a good look at your steering components - maybe just rebuiild the entire "front-end" for safety

Yes, it is a 7 pound pressure, and Bob is also aware of that. The one he sent me looks as the original, and functions the way my car should have done when I first got it in 2006. Can you believe I've been going through this same problem since then, adding coolant during , and following each day of touring. The cost of the proper cap is minuscule when compared to the coolant and the aggravation. Thanks, K8096 for the validation. This FORUM is great for being able to share our experiences and I've benefited from the advice of many generous folks.

Dave, This car takes a different radiator cap than one of the standard height. It has a greater depth than a standard cap, and your sealing surface is not contacting the area inside of the filler neck. There is nothing to stop the pressurized water from flowing out of the overflow tube above the entrance to the neck. Talk with Bob (Sr.) at Bob's Automobilia - he knows which of the caps is right for your '41 Caddy. (805) 434-2963 I had that same exact problem every time I drove my '41 Cadillac until I installed the CORRECT cap, and then drove nearly 3,000 miles on successive tours without overheating and without having to add water (except after sitting idling and inching forward in a major Northeast traffic jam this past summer)

The $17,000 asking price seems a modest amount for an entry-level rebodied Brass-Era driver

Bob, That is a beautiful car, and I do love those '34s... ...and I see we have the same radio, as well... BEST OF LUCK AND ENJOYMENT WITH YOUR NEW GIFT, Marty

Thanks Bill, hope you and Linda and all the family are well and staying warm and happy.

Congratulations to JJ & Dr. Ron Backer. They chose to celebrate their December 13th wedding with their AACA West Texas Region during the region Christmas Party. Ron is my cousin (our grandmothers were sisters), and is a serious tour driver in both AACA and VMCCA, as well as West Texas Region activities. I wonder if the happy couple drove off on their honeymoon in the 1930 Packard Phaeton, the '57 Bel-air convertible he drove on the 2010 Founders Tour, or the 1958 Cadillac ElDorado convertible Ron drove on the 2011 AACA Founders Tour? AACA really is family !!

Erik and Roger, Thank you for your kind comments per my 1934 50 Series Buick. Your first post in this thread stated: "We are building a Marvel carb for a 35 series 50. Last of the marvel carbs, the acme of their development. Even has port for vacuum advance." Your most recent post says: "I don't know what model this carb is going on,". Has something changed, or isn't this going back on the 50 Series 1935 Buick? I would certainly enjoy seeing the finished project. By the way, mine may become available, but only for a ridiculous price.

I was just thinking that, and that Keiser really knows his MOPAR.... Best to ya' John

daytona, I may very well have been one of those who visited and thanked him - I do so whenever we meet, and we are losing friends at an increasing rate due to age and infirmity. I shudder to think of how many truly decent folks our hobby has lost in the past few years

kbeach, I don't think that is a "C" below the 12. If it were, then the opening would be exactly at 90 degrees to the right, and this appears to be slightly above that quadrant. It appears to me that there is an elongated oval discoloration to the paint at that location below the "12", and that same discoloration is also present at the face's outer edge from the numeral "1" to halfway between the "2" and the "3". This might tend to dispute the "Chrysler" thought. Sorry I cannot be more helpful with an easy identification, and wish you luck with your request.

My late friend Kim Martin of Norco, Louisiana had one of these 1962 Chrysler 300 convertibles. It came from his grandfather Henry Martin, a noted collector in LaPlace, LA. That big Chrysler rode beautifully, drove easily, and just had that "solid" feeling which only an original car can have. Don't get me wrong -- restorations are great - I have several, but they just lack the "feel" of an untouched original - and I have those too! This time capsule seems priced fairly, and will certainly find its next caretaker - one who will surely enjoy the sunshine on his/her face, and wind in the hair.

knee-action, I wonder how many of us realize that, founded by actor Danny Thomas, and now supported by his daughter Marlo Thomas, this hospital exists to serve children, and requires absolutely no payment from families !! I hope that our families will not require their services for our children and grandchildren, but am thankful that this hospital exists for those who do. Marty

Tom, Several years ago I had my all-aluminum trailer built by Forest River in Elkhart, Indiana. It is a 24 foot box plus 4-1/2 foot wedge/sloped front extension to lessen wind resistance and to provide additional inside storage. Twelve (12) tie-downs give lots of options for balancing the load. Four overhead lights, four lower-sidewall lights, and strips of LEDs in the floor make it so that I never have to hold a flashlight with my teeth while securing a load. A pair of 6,000 lb. Dexter Torsion axles and 8-lug forged aluminum wheels provide great stability, and I got rid of the Chinese Radial tires, replacing them with Michelin Load Range "E" radials (I also carry two or three spares, but haven't needed them since getting thr Michelins.The additional one-foot height allowed for brass-era cars to drive in without lowering the top - a VERY helpful item (ask me how I know). Roof vents covered by Air-MaXX boxes, and front and rear/left and right sidewall reversible air vents make a difference too ! Oh, and a driver-side access door , hinged upward, and extra length is worth its weight in gold. Get a good electric winch and a good electric tongue jack too. Yes, it is a big investment, but should be a one-time investment, so go big and you won't have to think about upgrading by next autumn. I had made that mistake before ordering this one, and it cost me! Whatever you do, good luck.

Fantastic ... If they wish, the next owner could easily change out the coolant hoses and clamps - go back to a set of bias-ply wide-white tires, and enter for HPOF, or just drive it "as-is" and watch the "Thumbs-Up" from the admiring public