Steve Braverman Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 I am doing a ground up restoration on my 1933 Franklin Olympic convertible coupe. I plan to show it at an AACA show, but only long enough to get my National First, then I want to drive the wheels off of it.I bought the car in 2003, and started disassembly as soon as I got it. Last year the frame was painted, and last month the springs were all re-bushed. I'm hoping to have the chassis rolling again this summer. Work, kids, and lack of funds all are factors that keep these projects from progressing at a reasonable pace.The car will be completely stock, but after I get the AACA First, I will most likely fit either a modern rear end for more favorable gearing, or install an overdive. Other than the 4.5:1 gearing, Franklin got this one right from the start.Oh, in the meantime, I dive my 1932 Franklin sedan as much as I can. It's bone stock and original. No electric fuel pumps or other hackery. It runs perfectly no matter the weather. I regularly drive it 350 miles to the Franklin Trek. Id does leak oil like the Exxon Valdese, and a lot goes out the tailpipe too, but a case of oil is easier than tearing the engine down. When the convertible is done, the sedan will get a ring and valve job along with all new gaskets.Antique cars are not dead! Not by a long shot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburn salon Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 looks great. franklins are great drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Leonard Shepherd Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I always heard that Franklins had wooden frames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympic Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Franklins had wooden frames through 1927. In 1928 only the short wheelbase cars had the wooden frames, the long wheelbase was steel. From 1929 on, all were steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Jaakkola Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 "1932 Plymouth PA Sedan (The one with water in it)"When are we going to see pics of this? Franklins are great Steve!! Nice to see the pics of your cars!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 Unfortunately, my Plymouth has not seen daylight in about 10 years. I'd like to get it out and on the road again. Maybe next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldohioan Posted August 10, 2008 Share Posted August 10, 2008 Just yesterday (Aug 9th) I saw a '33 Franklin Olympic at our cruise here in central Md. Some kind of choice looking automobile!And here I thot early Packards were the only ones with a spare well in both front fenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted August 10, 2008 Author Share Posted August 10, 2008 Was it black, and did it look like this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Jaakkola Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Braverman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unfortunately, my Plymouth has not seen daylight in about 10 years. I'd like to get it out and on the road again. Maybe next year. </div></div>Got any pictures available of your Plymouth? Does anyone have a price guide, that shows the app. prices of these fine automobiles? (1932-33 Franklins) I think I'll have to add one for my must-buy list. These look so neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdsbob Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 This is what Manheim has to say as of June '08:1932 FRANKLIN Airman Dsp/HP Eng Fair Good Exc Show CONV COUPE 1932-33 274/100 6C 16,000 24,000 34,000 47,000 COUPE 1932-33 274/100 6C 12,000 20,000 26,000 32,000 PHAETON 1932-34 274/100 6C 14,000 22,000 31,000 42,300 SEDAN 1932-34 274/100 6C 8,500 12,000 16,000 20,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryJ Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I thought '32's were "PB"s. I have a 31 "PA" ; although registered as a '32.. Steve , you ought to get the Plymouth out , no matter the series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HarryJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I thought '32's were "PB"s. I have a 31 "PA" ; although registered as a '32.. Steve , you ought to get the Plymouth out , no matter the series. </div></div>It was a mid-year model change. Some PAs are titled as 1932s. I'm going to try to get the Plymouth on the road for next summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Jaakkola Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Thanks Ragtop65! It might be on my budjet in next 10 years HarryJ, do you have pics of your Franklin?What kind of engines/trannys Franklins used? Continentals maybe, what about chassis? suspension? Can you guys tell us who don't know.Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mika Jaakkola</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of engines/trannys Franklins used? Continentals maybe, what about chassis? suspension? Can you guys tell us who don't know.Thanks!! </div></div>Continentals!!!!??? Mika, those are fighting words!! Franklins were known for having air-cooled engines. The engine was entirely of Franklin's own design and manufacture. These are the best photos I have of the Olympic's engine, showing it with and without the cooling shrouds.The suspensions on all but the Olympics and V-12 cars used full elliptic springs with tubular front axles. Franklins were NOT assembled cars like may others of the era. The Olympic is kind of the exception. Franklin needed a less expensive car to sell, so the Olympic is essentially a REO Flying Cloud with a Franklin engine and trim.Franklins are so different from any other car, that I can't even begin to explain it here. Go to the Franklin Club's web site at www.franklincar.org for more info.The price guide numbers that have been posted here are fairly useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Jaakkola Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Braverman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Continentals!!!!??? Mika, those are fighting words!! Franklins were known for having air-cooled engines. The engine was entirely of Franklin's own design and manufacture. These are the best photos I have of the Olympic's engine, showing it with and without the cooling shrouds. </div></div>Oooops Sorry, Steve. Thanks for the info. That Franklin photobook might be worth of purchasing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ChrisSummers Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Can't wait to see the finished car, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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