Marty Roth

Thank you, Brian, I enjoyed the article, and look forward to what comes next. Marty

Maybe prior to pantyhose becoming more common? I've related my corresponding story on another thread, but "Down the Shore", Saturday eve on the New Jersey coast in late 1959-mid-1960-ish, On a date with a very sweet young lady, driving my red convertible 1949 Pontiac straight-8 with 3-on-the-tree, approaching her curfew time, but enjoying a beautiful moon-lit evening. Somewhere, the fan belt took leave of the car. I didn't immediately notice the needle on the Amp gauge showing "Discharge", but the radio sounded a bit fuzzy, and the headlights dimmed. I pulled into a spot near the boardwalk, opened the hood, and realized the issue. We were some twenty miles from her home, maybe eighty miles from mine, and no auto parts stores or gas/service stations nearby, and minimal tools in the trunk. I borrowed one of her stockings and tied it, creating a replacement belt but at first it was too loose to be effective. Taking both stockings tied lengthwise, I wrapped and looped them completely around the generator, water pump/fan pulley and crankshaft pulley to get a better grip - then got it appropriately snug. Using a slip-joint pliers on the generator, I got a better adjustment. The battery still had enough grunt to turn the starter. It all held together! I drove slowly, and got her back home, only an hour-and-a-half past her 11:30 curfew. Her parents were awake and as you can imagine, they were not happy with our late arrival - especially since it was a 1st date with a guy they didn't know. She, on the other hand, was effervescent, even bubbly in explaining to her mom and dad, how creative I was in saving the day (and no, she removed the articles of clothing herself - again, this was a first date!). One of her parents was delighted with my ingenuity - the other less so! I'll let you decide which was which. I offered to replace the stockings but was told it wasn't necessary. Yes, we did continue to date until I went off to college, and I had in the distant past wondered -- "What If ?".

I've been using 6 Volt Optima for probably 20 years, and in the '41 Cadillac when I received it in '06, the previous owner, an owner of four NAPA stores, had a pair of 6 Volt Optimas in parallel, and 000 cables. Cranking power like you wouldn't believe.

As noted, MobilParts is both his business name, and his handle on our FORUM. I spoke with him just over a week ago. He sounded like he was improved.

Now that it is sold, please add the word SOLD to your heading Place your pointer/mouse on the heading, click and hold Modify your heading Thanks

John John, My '37 Roadmaster Phaeton is at Barry's place in PA if you want to look/drive to get an idea of what to look for in one you'll want to buy Marty (an Oakland Club guy - too)

Back around 1978-1980, when Renault 5 was being marketed here as "LeCar" , My 2-cv was parked, daily, at a reserved "Faculty/Staff" spot on the main campus of Tulane University where I headed the university's Information Systems Department, and also taught varied Systems Architecture, Software Engineering, language and programming software development related courses. At LSU in Baton Rouge, the International Students Association was putting on a big display. A group of students from France , in costume, and with many home-related items including baguettes, wine, a model of the Eiffel Tower, and a street-cabaret scene, Borrowed my 1964 Deux Chevaux (2-CV), and made a big sign, noting the American version "LeCar" label with juxtaposition by calling it "The Voiture" !

We passed our 1964 2-CV and our 1972 SM Citroens to a friend on this FORUM, along with our pair of 1971 D-Series Station Wagons. The other 3 1967 DS-21 Pallas and sedans and the 1966 wagon went to other friends, and the Ami-6 was sold to a co-worker of my wife. Fantastic daily drivers, back in the day !

Similar, in a way, to what I had to do with the '58 Dauphine

My last college year, newly married, broke, and nursing a 1958 Renault Dauphine, the street had a very slight downslope about 300 feet from where I parked. Pushing it myself on cold New Jersey mornings, by the time I reached the slight slope, it was going fast enough that I could jump in, Dump it into 2nd gear , pop the clutch , and hopefully get it started. This continued into my first year of teaching school, and with my third month's paycheck I was able to buy a rebuilt battery. Six months later, returning from a weekend band gig in the Catskill mountains at a resort hotel, the poor old thing locked up and died on the "Wurtzboro" hill on the NY State Quickway, aka Hwy-17. It was replaced with a 1960 Rambler American which made great gas mileage, but used 2 quarts of oil every 30 miles. New rings to replace those broken in the first 2 cylinders fixed that during vacation.

Sure is, but no girls on it?

Is that a Dodge, Wanting to be a Buick to get into this thread?

Agreed ! We had reservations to also visit the music room, as well. I've always been a fan of the vintage Orchestrions ,and am amazed at how many varieties existed. Years ago there was a gentlemen in Lacombe, LA who restored them, had better than a dozen operational in his home, and invited groups to tour, visit, and enjoy performances. We attended multiple times, always appreciating their hospitality.

Matt makes two excellent suggestions. having dealt multiple times with Dave Tacheny, as having a complete rebuild done by Lares, both are very good options, at least in my experience. Of course, If you're willing, and capable of doing the work yourself as Don outlines, I wish you the best.

Any leads would be appreciated- Thank you in advance.

I've generally found a friend, or at least a trusted contact to check out a distant car before making a purchase. The one time I trusted a well-known seller, but didn't get an independent opinion, I really got "skunked", and have learned my lesson! Paying a qualified appraiser is generally a good option, as well.

... and then add "Bless his Heart"

Always thought these were "cute", and well-built. Maybe would have been a fun choice for my wife or daughter, at least years ago.

Agreed - codes were unique, but could be supplied by dealership, supposedly after proper proof of ownership- ... and yes, the owner (or even a parking valet) could add another code. My father created his code, and used the same one for his 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis as he used three years later for his 1995 Grand Marquis - the same car I now have registered with the state as "Antique", and which we drove to, and drove on the 2022 Founders Tour. I've also added Dad's code to our 2000 Excursion tow-vehicle. I have to admit, it felt strange but somehow rewarding to drive my parents' last car on a National Tour as an antique. The upside was that in addition to not even considering having to trailer the car, knowing the any potentially needed repair parts are available at just about any Advance-AutoZone-NAPA-O'Reilly's parts store, it makes fantastic fuel mileage, the A/C works well, and there was plenty of room to carry my wife's rollator (rolling walker), along with spare tools, luggage, friends comfortably in the back seat, and just plain "stuff".

The registered / titled VIN may also have been the number of an original engine, or a replaced engine Good Luck

Dash covering Repurposed from a junkyarded 1953 Kaiser Dragon?

Hello @Bradf0rd While it may not be your easiest path, there are ways through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to help resolve your issue. A notarized letter from your grandfather detailing how he acquired the vehicle, possibly any detail of his grandmother's will and probate (or Succession here in Louisiana), any existing paperwork such as a copy of an expired registration, leading to your request from OMV for a "HOLD HARMLESS TITLE" to be issued by Louisiana ... Of course your grandfather could do the above himself as the recipient from his grandmother, and save an additional step - and then once he has a title he could pass it to you with a signed title and a notarized Act of Donation, without any sales tax as permitted by Louisiana OMV. There are options, but this seems the most direct. I'm in Metairie. Where are you located? If you phone AACA National Headquarters in Hershey at 717-534-1910 you could leave your contact information and ask that they pass it privately to me. Then I could get directly with you, if you wish.

What a neat little driver - and no extra charge for the duct tape? An affordable entry-level and likely dependable car to actually drive.

btt

Just the opposite for me - and have always been that way, ever since 1959 in my Senior year of high school and my 1949 Pontiac convertible. Other than a few 4-door sedan commuters for my wife and myself. Convertible tops don't go up unless the rain is substantial - or when on tour, not garaged and parked overnight ! All my serious collectibles are open cars (the pair of 1995s are the exception - the Grand Marquis was my parents' last car, and the Fleetwood represents the last if its breed).