George Albright Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Dear Friends: I just bought this circa 1950 "Aerocar" off of Ebay. Below is the old Ebay text. I have had no luck finding out anything on the internet on the 4 builders of it. Is it in a late 40s early 50s Popular Mechanics",etc. magazine or the same era airplane magazine,since it is roumored to have been built in the Grumman plant in Wichita,Kansas? Maybe it was built in the Piper plant there instead? Looks like a crude early version of the 6 real Aerocars,built in the mid 1950s. You help is appreciated! George Albright,Ocala,Fla. cell 352 843 1624. Email: gnalbright@gmail.com Up for auction is a very unique automobile that was hidden away for many years in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Constructed at one of the aircraft manufacturers in Witchita KS in the late 1940's to early 50's. It was supposed to become a production car. To me it looks very reminisant of the Aerocar. (flying car) Or maybe even a proto-type of what would become the Aerocar. Google a picture of it. You will see some simularities. I am not sure of the actual name, brand or if it really even had one. Maybe one of you who reads this listing will be able to explain this cars history. Picture #2 shows the guys who built it from left to right. They are as follows: Cameron - Bailey, Max Ray, Kelly Krentz and A. A. Reddy. I contacted Hemmings Motor News Lost and Found to see if they could shed any light on it. I have heard nothing yet. In my opinion it belongs in a car museum. What ever your opinion of the car is. I believe this is your chance to own a very unique, rare piece of automotive and aviation history combined. The car would look great finished in aluminum panels and polished like an Airstream trailer!The body is constructed of tubular steel. Some of which is rusted away under the driver and passenger seats. The rest of the framing is in good condition and very solid. The doors are very interesting. As that they open on sort of a 45 degree angle like that of an old plane. Door gaps are surprisingly very uniform all around and the doors close nicely. The axles, spindles and suspenssion appear to be that from early aircraft. The rims and tires are definately aircraft. At one time it appears that the car was covered in wire mesh and some sort of plaster was used to form a smooth body. It was then painted a dark green color. There is not much left of the wire mesh and plaster as one can see from the pictures. However what is there. I left it on the car so someone could get an idea of what was used if they were to ever restore the car to original.Driveline consists of one 2 cylinder Onan air cooled engine. 2 Indian or Harley Davidson motorcycle transmissions. The part number on the transmissions is as follows: 121-38. I am leaning more towards them being Harley. The engine and transmissions were said to be new components when the car was constructed. The engine starts and runs great. I was very shocked to get the engine running with very little effort. They are 3 speed transmissions with reverse. The transmissions seem to shift as they should. From what I'm told the transmissions alone could be worth as much as $4000.00 I have no idea though, as I am not a Harley guy by any means of the word. The car has a gas, clutch, and brake pedal. The shifter to the car is set up like and airplane throttle. It is definately sourced from a plane.I have a small assortment of parts that go along with the car. 4 sets of fender frames. They are in rather poor condition. 1 set of interesting headlights. Not sure what they are from either. 4 Chrome hub caps and I believe most if not all of the windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE A Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 George; I am glad that someone of your caliber picked this up. If anyone can sort it out, you can. There was a discussion on this web site a while back when it was on e-bay and the possibilities mentioned were discussed, but no real conclusion was reached. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Silverghost Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) George: Just when I think it is impossible~~~ you have out-done yourself again with buying the very rare and unusual ! I am always impressed with all your car finds ! Good Luck & Keep us updated on it's history ! Edited February 3, 2011 by Silverghost (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 You guys ALMOST humble me!!! Thanks for the nice words of encouragement. Now lets get busy and put the proper history with this car,so that it is preserved for future generations. Researching history is half the fun of owning a collector car! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Could you guys or your friends look in the 1947-52ish Popular Mechanics,Popular Science,and same for avaition magazines,and see if there might be an article on this. Leads on who might have these magazines for research purposes appreciated. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter J.Heizmann Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Very interesting, George.Have you tried our AACA Library & Research Center to see what is in the huge archives?On the home page, click on Library on the immediate right hand column.Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RU22 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Pop Science and Pop Mechanics are stored online in Google DocsAll you have to do is search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Is the yellow restored car a Fulton? If so it was built up the road in Danbury, and I do have info on it around here somewere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks for the tip on Google Docs and the magazines. The yellow car is one of 6 Aerocars built in Wash. State in the mid 1950s. Just Google aerocar. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Dear Dave Great hearing from you! I look forward to finding out the history on this car,and either restoring it,or placing it with a museum or individual who will take good care of it. Went to Google Books and searched thru Popular Mechanics and Popular Science thru the index search. Nothing under any of the 4 inventors names,etc. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92GTA Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Subscribed! GREAT project! I saw your thread on the H.A.M.B. as well.I can't wait to see where the history leads! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcarfudd Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 If this really was a prototype for an airplane, I wonder whether the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) might have any info.Gil Fitzhugh, Morristown, NJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RU22 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Honest I wouldn't want to get off the ground counting on that engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 (edited) Honest I wouldn't want to get off the ground counting on that engineAint that the truth! Just before you clear the trees, the coil will cut out. :eek: Double ended odd ball coil that it is. Very Cool car. :cool: Glad that it has found an excellent home. Dandy Dave!Here is a link to the older post.http://forums.aaca.org/f169/interesting-vehicle-ebay-293903.html Edited February 5, 2011 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I have a two cylinder Onan parts engine out by the barn if you need one. Cheep, Cheep, Cheep. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 (edited) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2550902895914120566#cut and past this link into your browser and there is an excellent vintage U-tube video on the aerocar Edited February 5, 2011 by my3buicks (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 (edited) Hey George...you sure do come up with the oddballs. How about a shot with the skin attached??? John Edited February 5, 2011 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 This should be your next quest, George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 OK Guys Here is the info off of the Onan 2 cylinder aircooled motor in the Aerocar. Your help finding info on the motor as to when it was built,etc,very appreciated. You can see the original see thru wire screen skin on the car in the original photos. By the way,yes I have already seen that red project body! Amazing. Numbers are , motor vin. 342194 stamped on the block. On the Onan motor tag is stamped the following: model no.( ck-ms16/a) serial no(17.342194) engine 10 hp. at 3000 R P M THANKS! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 George, I read where there were a number of those bodies made. I think they were designed for a Model-T chassis.It has your name written all over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Honest I wouldn't want to get off the ground counting on that engineDidn't the original Mott Aerocar have a separate, Lycoming, aero engine that powered the car in the air? That Onan never would have passed FAA inspection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 OK Guys A little info; Grumman did NOT have a factory in Wichita in 1950.However several others did including Cessna,Martin. I have contacted David,the historican at the Kansas Aeronautical Museum in Wichita. Maybe he can find something in their archives. Here is the info on the Onan 2 cylinder aircooled motor in the car: Vin # stamped on the motor: 342194. On the metal tag attached to the motor is the following; Model No. CK-MS16/a. Serial number 17.342194. Engine is 10 HP at 3,000 RPMs.According to some Onan guys,it is a Model #CK which was made in the late 1930s and 1940s. Maybe up to 1950ish when the Model CCK took its place. The MS stands for electric start. One Onan guy says it was built in 1947.If anyone has or knows of a Model CK I can buy reasonable please let me know. Keep digging! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I'll check that Onan that is out back when the snow melts and I can get to it to see the model. It is in an old Wayne road sweeper, but could be easily unbolted. Bug me when the Snow melts least I forget. If you can use it, all you need to do is arrange shipping George. It is only parts, but better to see it saved for parts than scraped. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 THANKS DAVE!!! If its a Model CK I would love to have it! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Albright Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Still nothing new yet. Please look in your 1947-52 ish car,science,transportation,plane,etc. issues. Thanks! George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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