Marty Roth

Yup ! likely a 6-Volt, but there were some 12-Volt cars even back then- Maybe Sparton or Klaxon would also be my guess, Just like when Vespa scooters came branded for Sears with the ALLSTATE name in chrome script - mine was a 1953. Kaiser's compact Henry-J was sold through the Sears stores and the catalogue as an ALLSTATE, in which case it was delivered with ALLSTATE tires, sparkplugs, wiper blades, and the optional Silvertown radio

Bill, you're always welcome, but only because of your bride ... and your granddaughter. 1,450 miles might have been a long way to drive for lunch, but then again, appreciation dfor great folks and great food can sway my opinion - yours too?

I had a rope for my 1964 Citroen 2-CV, But a 14mm socket and short extension would go directly to the bolt which held the fan through the generator to the crankshaft. Usually, a 1/4 snap of the shortie ratchet handle would kick the little 2 cylinder air-cooled 435cc engine to life. At the time, my wife drove the '68 Citroen Ami-6, a more substantial car, powered by Citroen's 602cc "Big Block", also air-cooled, and with the centrifugal clutch which was a joy in heavy New Orleans traffic.

More and more folks come to appreciate the benefits of southern living - me included, having first transferred from NJ/NY back in 1969 ! How many choose to retire and move north? Prejean's, on the east side of I-49 and just north of I-10 is still one of our favorites. Their alligator dishes are exceptional, and we especially enjoy when their band performs traditional Cajun tunes. It is only a couple of hours drive from here, and well worth the time and travel, but of course there are a good many lesser known but fantastic eateries. Visitors often plan to dine at the famous places. Afterward, we show them how the local "Mom & Pop" places are every bit as good, nowhere near as expensive, and likely less stuffy. Yes, the state parks are a very good option, and frequently are booked well in advance - especially by locals. Hopefully, more folks will visit our National WWII Museum here in New Orleans. It is a national treasure, and a reminder that freedom is not free. I donated my Dad's SeaBees 6th Special Battalion memorabilia when they first planned the Pacific Theater Wing, and helped plan the parade and pre WWII vehicles for that extravaganza. There are many backroads to drive, many eateries to explore, and friendly people to share the way of life I've come to appreciate- and as in Florida and SoCal, we get to drive our old cars all year round!

Autumn in Cajun country- yesterday in New Iberia, Louisiana - the short “spikes “ are Cypress Knees

Leftovers ?? The food was never-ending, and well prepared. The salad bar was very nice, but ... but most of us concentrated first on friendship and conversation, so missing over the past couple of years- Then, of course, there was almost every variety of Shrimp, served Etouffee, fried, then there was Catfish, Hushpuppies, Crab, Gumbo, beef dishes, so many others that several diets likely suffered a temporary setback. The New Iberia location, some 30 miles south of Lafayette, was central to the southern part of Louisiana, no more than a couple of hours drive for most, and maybe another hour for the folks coming up from St. Bernard Parish which is down-river from New Orleans. With a picture perfect, "Chamber-of-Commerce" weather day of clear skies and temps in the mid 60s to low 70s, some of the local hardships were placed on the back-burner. On the bridge over the pond, we stopped to observe the ducks, the Cypress Knees, the restaurant constructed to look like a typical Louisiana wetlands cabin from bygone days, and the relaxed environment just off US-90 and the "Future?" I-49 extension. Buddy & Evelyn Whitney drove their brand new red mid-engined Corvette convertible which they had just received at the Bowling Green, Kentucky manufacturing plant. That car is fantastic! I got to sit in the Corvette, and was so amazed that I forgot to even get pictures of it. Following hours of renewing friendships, eating, inquiring about friends and family, eating, asking about storm and home recovery, eating, old car projects, eating, my suggestion to the region to plan to attend and drive the 2022 AACA Founders Tour, hosted by Mobile, Alabama's Deep South Region during March 20-25, and eating again, most made plans to attend our next get-together, which will be the December 1, 2021 Louisiana Region Installation of 2022 Officers.

Detailer likely jump-started it with a hot 12-Volt charger at 55 Amps or more. Possible damage, depending on how long he had it hooked up and cranked it. Consider fried points, condenser, etc. Over the three week period he may also have left the ignition on with the car not running, and may have damaged the points in that way. Try filing smooth and straight and re-gapping in case they are not right.

Wow !! This Chevy looks amazing

Lagniappe Chapter of Louisiana Region AACA spent more than two years planning our Halloween weekend Region Tour based out of Houma, Louisiana. Hurricane Ida devastated the area, including our host hotel, most others, and many of our planned venues. What do Louisiana folks do when tragedy strikes? First we care for those affected, then we commiserate, and then we find a way to, as Cajuns say "PASS A GOOD TIME". Our Lafayette-based members of Evangeline Chapter knew we really needed to see some friendly old-car faces. They arranged for Landry's Seafood and Steakhouse in New Iberia, LA to close for the day to host a private luncheon for AACA members. Approximately 80 attendees representing Evangeline, Contraband (Lake Charles), Cen-La (Alexandria), and Lagniappe (Houma-Thibodaux-Schriever) descended on the very nice restaurant at noon Saturday, many driving vintage vehicles. We drove approximately 260 comfortable miles round-trip in our (now-legitimate AACA acceptable) 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis - my Mom and Dad's last car. Following pledge and prayer, we did what Louisiana old car folks do best - we sampled a wonderful buffet variety of cajun food. It was a genuine treat to visit with so many long time friends, and to welcome new members. The restaurant staff were exceptional and helped make the day even more enjoyable. Hurricane recovery is a slow process - especially in the Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles areas with so much damage, dealing with insurance companies, adjusters, contractors, etc., and many still needing temporary housing or trailers, but recover, we will.

Our Franklin and Oakland have both gone on to other collectors. We still have the '15 Hudson and '30 Packard, but both marques survived WWII, only to meet inglorious fates following mergers during the Fabulous Fifties.

Hey Paul, I can leave something else in that space, but only if you agree to exercise it on a somewhat regular basis. I was also hoping to be the lucky winner, and had even arrange for a friend to temporarily house it until I could drive it home.

Gary, Sorry you have to go through this, and I can sympathize. Having a winter's supply of firewood paints a positive note. Our neighbors on our north and western sides both have very big trees overhanging our yard. Jointly, we engaged an arborist to take down potentially offending branches prior to this year's hurricane season. Thankfully, these trees were unaffected by Hurricane Ida. Our neighbor to the south had a crepe myrtle which did take down our cedar fence on that side, but didn't do any more substantial damage. We did have moderate wind and wind-driven rain storm damage, as well as some other damage, but at least the house is standing and has been made liveable, pending roof, window, ceilings, and other repairs. We're better off than so many in this area who've lost everything - homes, businesses, livelihoods, etc.

Thanks, Ben, for the great catch- Now Corrected ! It was during 1959, and I was driving my 1949 Pontiac - yes, a Straight Eight ... and the other typo references the "DRIVER'S" (not river's) COATTAIL

Back when I was 17, it was 1959, and I was driving my 1949 red Pontiac straight-Eight 3-on-the-tree convertible, I had a note on the back of the passenger side sun visor: ANYONE NOT LIKING THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, KINDLY NOTE THE MISTLETOE, PINNED TO THE DRIVER'S COATTAIL !

I agree that it appears to be a Super, A Special in 1953 still was powered by a straight Eight, not the new V-8, and would not correctly have had the "V" in the wheel covers.

A 1958 Imperial convertible is one of my dream cars. This seems a reasonable car, and possibly a lot of car for the money - especially with factory A/C, but the style is just not my taste.

Did a '57 Buick appear "dated" parked between the '59 bat-wing Chevy and bookended by a pair of '64 Impalas? - or just more Classy?

Black (or charcoal) and pink were a popular combination in 1955. I was in my early teens, and had a charcoal suit with faint pink pinstripes. The popular Perez Prado band's trumpet solo was "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" - the theme song from the Esther Williams movie "UNDERWATER".

25 plus 25 from Canada and USA is a VERY small number for a Founders Tour. The committee should be made aware, and also that the 3 or 4 families which have attended ALL previous Founders Tours are guaranteed acceptance, assuming proper application. The March 20-26, 2022 AACA Founders Tour is to be based in Gulf Shores, Alabama, hosted by Mobile's Deep South Region.

Warm sticky days without A/C in your Buick? A Cool - Quiet shower (and relief from the kids punching, and calling "are we there yet?) might be just the ticket !

Loved driving my black '54 Mercury convertible, even with Merc-O-Matic- bought it from the back row of a St. George Ave used car lot in Elizabeth, NJ in April of 1961, and cleaned several coffee can loads of sludge from the valley due to clogged oil return passages - common on this first-year Mercury V-8 (infrequent oil changes?). After a valve job and new rear main seal it was a blast to drive all summer in the Catskills, working only 6 nights/week with my band at a resort hotel. It was sold in September before my sophomore year at Univ of Kentucky, but oh, what a summer, and oh, those young ladies who chose to ride along in the shiny black convertible.

Wonder why the seller didn't include pics of the seats made into a bed? That was a neat feature at the time. Back in Jersey in 1959-1960, I once picked up a date while driving Dad's 1952 Nash Statesman. It had the bed/seats as well as venetian blinds. This was when you would go to the door and be invited inside to meet the parents. My date's father looked at my car an politely suggested that I drive his car, and he didn't even know we were going to see a movie at the Drive-In on US-22.

Popular? Maybe infamous? Many thanks again, Joe, And I would return that favor in a heartbeat. I've transported parts for other car guys, and will continue to whenever possible. H We hope to see you back on this side of the border to tour together again, and I look forward to touring with Ontario Region again. Y'all have many great places to visit, and we appreciate the chance to visit. Isn't there something special coming up down the road on your side of the border? (PS: As I recall, it was five rims - 4 were already powder coated, and I had the 5th one done locally to match)

As Bleach noted, and I agree, I have the same options. Tropical storms can, and have threatened my area. There are times when evacuation is a smart decision, and being prepared to both travel, and to have fuel upon return may be critical. You've seen the news reports of folks waiting hours with a 5 gallon can for their turn at a gas station, also running on generators, which has also just run out of fuel. My kids and I can each be able to maintain to the best of our potential. Electric may be the wave of the future, but isn't my personal preference for every possibility. My diesel Excursion can optimally make better than 900 miles on a topped-off tank - well into safer territory and way beyond the area of likely outage or resupply. I also keep extra fuel for gasoline powered generators, as well as having a separate tri-fuel (Natural Gas / Bottled Gas / Gasoline) generator. My understanding is that an electric vehicle, if not already fully charged, may take an extensive time to reach a safe distance charge. With many, perhaps tens of thousands of users needing to recharge, and the scarcity of locations, I don't want to be at the end of the line, or have to learn about them on the 6:00 news because they didn't, or couldn't "Git Outa' Dodge". Any area can be hit with a power outage: Yes, the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard are susceptible to tropical storms The Northeast, Midwest, Upper Midwest, and more have blizzards and ice storms with tree branches taking out power lines and highways The Midwest and Tornado Alley have essentially minimal warning, and can lose everything in seconds to tornados The West Coast continues to deal with forest fires and flash floods Electric has its place, but for the reasonably near term it is not my preferred option.

Then if it runs and drives, you and your checkbook will look into a replacement wraparound windshield and gasket (plus install), driver's window, good set of taillight and backup lenses, new leather properly stitched on the dash, etc, etc, etc, and the time and today's cost of rechroming that rear bumper ??? Potentially beautiful example and surely a money pit- we all know that story .