Robert G. Smits
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Posts posted by Robert G. Smits
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7 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said:
There is more to life than Left Turns
If you enjoy racing an event that should be on your bucket list is the 24 hours of Daytona. The Stanley Steamer Club held their national meet at Daytona to celebrate the 100 year anniversary on a Stanley breaking the 100 mph barrier on the Daytona measured mile in 1906. The Florida CCCA participated in that event which was the same week end as the 24 hour race. As I registered too late to get into the host hotel I stayed at an alternate which happened to be the race headquarters for a Australian team. After spending a couple of nights with them at the bar they insisted I stay for the race and gave me a pit pass and a invitation to join them in the pits. It is as different from NASCAR as night and day. There were activities going on in the infield for the entire 24 hours including a barbecue cook off and the Rocky Horror Picture Show started at midnight. Not much sleep but great memories.
On an old computer somewhere I have footage of almost 60 Stanley Steamers driving up and down the beach. I am sure some Forum members were there.
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I had a similar alternator pulley failure on my 86 Mercedes during the 2021 Buzzy tour. Fortunately the catch trailer operator was employed by UPS servicing their Mercedes vans and was able to find a identical used pulley at a automotive electrical repair shop. Sometimes you get lucky The Mercedes dealer wasn't interested in helping and Pelican parts estimated 5-7 days.
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This is in a 90 Series parts car I purchased non running in the early 90’s. I am planning to fill the cylinders with lubricant for a few weeks before trying to see if it is stuck. My thoughts are Marvel Mystery Oil versus a mix of ATF and Acetone. Any recommendations appreciated
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This is in a 90 Series parts car I purchased non running in the early 90’s. I am planning to fill the cylinders with lubricant for a few weeks before trying to see if it is stuck. My thoughts are Marvel Mystery Oil versus a mix of ATF and Acetone. Any recommendations appreciated
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Another example from the same picker. Came in it’s original wood shipping crate
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5 hours ago, Terry Bond said:
Tell us how you found it-
When I moved to Des Moines in 1974 one of the accounting partners I used was a oil/gas collector who retired around 1985 and kept busy buying and selling memoribilia from his vacation home at Lake of the Ozarks where we had a lake cottage. He also had a booth at Iowa Gas and the Indy Add show which I attended frequently. He wasn't cheap but everything he handled was either 9+, rare or both He was a great source over the years and everything I purchased from him has increased greatly in value. Sure wish there was a way to skirt the 28% tax on gains from collectables. I guess I will let the kids worry about it. Better yet donate it to a 501C3
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We went as a family in our motorhome and camped across from the speedway every year from 1980 until 95 when IMS and CART split. Back then it was all undeveloped around the speedway and full of all types of campers. If you haven't camped at the Indy you missed 60% of the fun. We would arrive on Friday and fire up the barbecue. At noon on Saturday the walking patrols would start on Georgetown road which was 6 lanes in front of the speedway. This consisted of 12 armed police walking slowly side by side from left to right. As one line passed you could look to the left and see another line approaching. When they got to the end of the speedway at 16th street they would be picked up and bused back to the Cagle lane_ Georgetown Rd intersection and start all over again. This went on all night. Sleep on Saturday night was limited because of drunks staggering into the side of your motorhome. We had grandstand tickets the first year but soon learned that you could buy great tickets an hour before the race from scalpers with too much inventory and usually sat in the box seat sections. What a great view. Thank you for starting this thread. It brought back great memories.
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Another interesting piece
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Lets see it again after it is filled. Good find!
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Another early oil can. Suspect it may be a reproduction.
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Thought some of you would find these cars interesting. Having seen these in person I thought they were magnificent. If you are not familiar with Joe's contribution to the old car hobby google his bio and the "Bortz Collection" I have known Joe forever as he was the second owner of my 38 Cadillac 90 series with the factory installed automatic transmission.
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Thanks Mark, Great resource
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Interesting old Snap On Cabinet. Any idea how old?
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MY wife's 2022 Palisade had an active recall when she purchased it in January of 22. They didn't notify her at the time of purchase. Still no parts available. They did modify it to remove the fire hazard they say but still advised not to park it inside.
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In 1978 I purchased a partially restored 29 Cadillac at a significant discount because the owner was going through a divorce. As part of the deal I had to deliver cash to a friend of the owner in Virginia. I will never forget the anxiety of going through airport security carrying 25K in 100 dollar bills in my briefcase. After finishing the restoration and showing the car in 7 or 8 AACA national meets I sold it at the Leake auction. When it came time to settle I was called into the business office and the buyer went out to his motor home and came back with a Wheaties box containing 100K in cash. The only time I ever bought and sold a car for cash and wouldn't do it today.
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Congratulations. Like the AACA the CLC members are a great group and I would recommend joining. If the engine has not been started in 10 years I would remove all the spark plugs and rotate it manually. Change all fluids and if you have the expertise I would drop the pan and clean the sludge that has accumulated since 55 for starters. You will need to clean the gas tank. Depending on what you find it may need to be relined. Replace all hoses including the rubber brake hoses and check the brakes while you are at it. Just my thoughts on what I would do.
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16 minutes ago, edinmass said:
Flip it? Run, run like hell.
Best advice this year. IMHO.
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11 hours ago, pkhammer said:
collection of gas pumps and signs, most of which sold for 200% of what they were worth,
My view is that they sold for their true value on the day of the sale Tomorrow the true value may be up or down, however if you put that same collection in an auction in a couple of years I suspect no one will lose money and probably beat the rate of inflation handily. As a positive you get to enjoy your purchases until your kids sell. I never look at my Tesla stocks but I sure enjoy my advertising and lets face it we are not purchasing with funds needed for daily living. If my advertising goes to zero it will not affect my quality of life. If it did it would be gone in a minute.
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4 hours ago, Twisted Shifter said:
In my book, there's a difference between smart money and BIG money.
Agree totally. I have a friend who thinks nothing about dropping $100-200K at a single automobilia auction. Considering the declining value of the dollar I'm not sure he doesn't fit both "Big" and "Smart" money. My stock portfolio has sure declined over the last two years while a grade 9 double sided 42 inch porcelain has appreciated 25%. Just thinking!
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Interesting porcelain advertisement for a gas cap
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As one ages the circle of friends tightens. At age 83 all of my original car friends are long gone. I feel very fortunate to still be able to participate in 2-3 national car tours each year. This is a grim reminder to not put anything of importance off until tomorrow. We all enjoyed his posts and the grit he demonstrated in restoring his Studebaker after the accident. On a positive note it is far better to go the way he did than languish in a nursing home. RIP
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6 hours ago, SC38dls said:
anyone know of a good MB forum for a 2011 car?
Go to BenzWorld.org, They will have a specific forum for your car. A great source of MB information and help. I think the 107's were the last MB to have the plastic guides. I know my 86 300SDL does not have them
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I also remember the discussion about metal guide’s about 15 years ago. I think the guy was in the Omaha Nebraska area. Obviously nothing came of it.
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This is a chain guide from a 53K MB 380 that set in CC storage for 14 years. Fortunately I did not attempt to start the car before checking the chain which obviously cracked in storage. It fragmented during removal. Catastrophe avoided which proves it is better to be lucky than smart. As mentioned previously note the color.
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Rehabilitating a 38 Cadillac V16 that has not been running for over 30 years
in Technical
Posted
John I have no evidence that it is stuck but certainly worried after 30 years. The parts car is a 4 door sedan used to restore the convertible which sat outside with the top down, hood off and heads lying on the ground for 7 years in the Maine. Multiple parts missing including the side panels and grill.