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Robert G. Smits

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Posts posted by Robert G. Smits

    Bill Harrah Auctions - 1920 Stutz Roadster

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Robert G. Smits (see edit history)

    Have you contacted the National Automotive Museum in Reno.  I think they received the Harrah automotive records.  Every car was assigned a number when purchased and a file was started including the known history, purchase details and photos.  A brass tag with the identifying number was attached somewhere under the hood.  (I have two)  The file  was expanded regularly during restoration.  I ended up with two Harrah automobiles, one restored and one unrestored.  Neither was sold in the mentioned auctions.  The National Automotive Museum provided great records on both, the latest one was in the mid 90's and was over 20 pages.  I actually went to the 84 auction to purchase a particular car and it was nowhere to be found and showed up at "The Auction" in Las Vagus in 1990.

    • Like 1

    Happy New Year everyone!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    At my age I have come to the somber realization that many of us share the possibility of not seeing 2024. In the meantime enjoy every day and don’t put off letting friends and loved ones know how much they are appreciated. Life has been good for most of us and we have been enriched by this hobby and especially this forum. It is 70 degrees in central Texas right now and I am going to drive the 66 GTO convertible around the neighborhood   Happy New Year 

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    Sorry, your shipment of Packards is going to be delayed

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Fort Leonard Wood is located just south of Waynesville and I spent two years there 72-74.  For me it was fond memories as I was a officer.  Great place to spend a couple of years.  Hunting and fishing was great and the army had vacation facilities at Lake of the Ozarks. BTW the snow of Nov 6 produced 12 inches in 24 hours.  No wonder the Packard's were stranded.  Great photo, thanks for sharing it.

    • Like 2

    Interesting Carburetor - 1952 Pontiac Convertible in Cuba with a V-8 transplant

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    In Havana about 50% of the cars are American pre-60.  Out in rural Cuba a much higher percentage are old.  This is where you see the cars being used for private transportation showing the effects of 50 years of lack of maintenance.   According to our guide there are 150K pre-60 American cars still in circulation.  I was impressed with the professional looking  diesel motor transplants of some of the taxies.  In the rural areas you see Russian agriculture trucks converted to people haulers.  In 2018 we drove out of Havana on a major highway for 5 hours and our bus met less that a dozen vehicles on the road.

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    Interesting Carburetor - 1952 Pontiac Convertible in Cuba with a V-8 transplant

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Lahti35 said:

    retrofitted a lot of soviet era powerplants into their cars

    If you are talking about the book "Cuban Car Culture" you are correct.  With the adoption of capitalism to the Taxi industry they have advanced and are now using modern Diesel automotive engines and  automatic transmissions.  One of our drivers paid $30K for his Mercedes diesel powered restored 57 Plymouth Convertible taxi.  The taxi and private home based restaurants can now operate outside of the socialist system.  Taxis pay approximately US $ 800 per month for their license and closed cars must have A/C.  Our tour around Havana cost US$35/hour plus a big tip.  As i get my photo files organized I will be sharing a lot more photos in a separate thread.

    • Like 1

    Interesting Carburetor - 1952 Pontiac Convertible in Cuba with a V-8 transplant

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Driver had very little English but stated he hasn't had a air filter since he did the engine swap 3 years ago'  There are no automotive box stores in Cuba and things we take for granted like oil and spark plugs have to be brought to Cuba by family or friends from the states or routed through a middle American country at a steep premium.  A gentleman who restores 58 and 59 Chevrolets told me he bought a windshield for a 59 in Miami and after routing it through middle America it came to over $1000.00.  When you need gas you go to a station and frequently wait until gas is delivered and are limited to 40 liters.  Two days earlier my driver had to wait in line for 7 hours.  Taxi fares are down considerably since our last trip in 2018.as Cuba is in a serious recession.  Their major source of income is tourism and Cuba was shut down for over 2 years with Covid.

    A first Car...

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    47 ford PU that I updated with  a 50 Merc engine with Offy intake and dual carbs.  Drove it through high school until my senior year when I purchased a 53 Olds 98 Holiday.  I soon updated the Olds with a 57 J-2 and a 37 LaSalle standard transmission.  I wasn't smart enough to change the rear end ratio so I was a little slow off the line but you didn't have to shift to high until 90.  Sure wish I had that one back.

    • Like 2

    1980 Seville Purchase

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    18 hours ago, rocketraider said:

    Later ones incorporated a water detector in the fuel tank, but no means of separating it

    If my 82 year old my memory is correct didn't GM issue a service bulletin on how to drain water from the furl tank.  Purchased the 79 new from a Des Moines dealer who sold a ton of diesels and draining water from the fuel tank was added to routine service at some time.  There was also a up charge for HD diesel oil.

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