1911 - 1927 Locomobile 48 & 38 Gathering Place

[alsfarms]

Does anyone know where this original Sportif will now call home?

Al

[John Bloom]

I picked this up last week and haven’t had a chance to really dig in and read through it but it’s pretty awesome. A Locomobile owner in Princeton Illinois had passed away and this was found in a dresser in a barn that used to house the car.

 

 

[alsfarms]

Nice find John! What vi tage Locomobile is this instruction book for?

Al

[DGPoff]

On 8/19/2023 at 5:34 PM, edinmass said:

240 grand for the 66 hp Pierce was

free. 

Agreed. Great tour car. It is a fabricated car. You know how those early Pierce guys are! Real deal would have been a multiple of that number.

 

Sorry to hijack a Locomobile thread btw.

Edited August 24, 2023 by DGPoff (see edit history)

[John Bloom]

22 minutes ago, alsfarms said:

Nice find John! What vi tage Locomobile is this instruction book for?

Al

Al, copyright 1916 for the 1917 models 38 and 48.

 

I don’t know if this is a publication commonly found and in the hands of many, or if it is rare? I haven’t looked to see if the contents are available online, but it is a treasure of information and it should be available to all Locomobile owners. Perhaps I could scan it all in and make it available.

[alsfarms]

The good thing. Out the instruction book is it is for service and repair and is not sales material.

Al

[Ittenbacher Frank]

4 hours ago, alsfarms said:

Nice find John! What vi tage Locomobile is this instruction book for?

Al

Dear John, is this the April 1916 edition?

Do you find any amendments or corrections in it, or additional loose pages?

Which brand and type of magneto is mentioned on page 47/48?

What are the maximum horsepower values for model 38 and 48, shown on pages 28 and in the specs on pages 91-98?

Sorry for my curiosity. I expect The Locomobile company having made technical changes as early as possible and their documentation not necessarily updated accordingly. One example: The lub-chart which you showed before: It shows the older single ignition (upper valve caps with spark plugs, lower are without), but the cars were advertised with dual ignition already. And many other small items.

Thanks and regards. Frank

 

[John Bloom]

4 hours ago, Ittenbacher Frank said:

Dear John, is this the April 1916 edition?

Do you find any amendments or corrections in it, or additional loose pages?

Which brand and type of magneto is mentioned on page 47/48?

What are the maximum horsepower values for model 38 and 48, shown on pages 28 and in the specs on pages 91-98?

Sorry for my curiosity. I expect The Locomobile company having made technical changes as early as possible and their documentation not necessarily updated accordingly. One example: The lub-chart which you showed before: It shows the older single ignition (upper valve caps with spark plugs, lower are without), but the cars were advertised with dual ignition already. And many other small items.

Thanks and regards. Frank

 

Frank, it does state that it is the April 1916 edition. The only “loose pages”  is the attached fold out lubrication chart I posted.  I will more thoroughly go through each page looking for corrections, but I didn’t see any in a first glance through the book. 
 

see pages 47/48 mentioning dual ignition, specifically “Eisemann high tension dual , which consists of an Eisemann EM-6 magneto and a combination coil and dash switch. 

 

maximum horsepower for the model 48 is 82.5. For the model 38 is 65.5. 
 

 

see the specification page for the model 38, and the model 48.

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by John Bloom (see edit history)

[alsfarms]

Manuals, like this one are great to have! 

Al

[Ittenbacher Frank]

9 hours ago, John Bloom said:

Frank, it does state that it is the April 1916 edition. The only “loose pages”  is the attached fold out lubrication chart I posted.  I will more thoroughly go through each page looking for corrections, but I didn’t see any in a first glance through the book. 
 

see pages 47/48 mentioning dual ignition, specifically “Eisemann high tension dual , which consists of an Eisemann EM-6 magneto and a combination coil and dash switch. 

 

maximum horsepower for the model 48 is 82.5. For the model 38 is 65.5. 
 

 

see the specification page for the model 38, and the model 48.

 

Thanks a lot for the fast reply! Now I know which one it is. I have a copy of the same edition, and it has the same content. The chapters we compared are identical. I have found many very useful hints and details in it for my 1917 model M7 touring car.

[John Bloom]

Thanks Frank, I’d love to see some pictures of your Loco Touring.   What magnificent cars Locomobile made in this era. 

[Ittenbacher Frank]

Dear John, I have already posted several photos in several topics. Don't get confused: Lots of luck and good-will from heaven, support by the best wife in the world and much hard work made it possible that I was able to buy two of these model 48s: A 1916 made model 1917 seven passenger touring car, equipped with air suspension, restored to a very high standard app. 1960, and a 1921 Sedan in amazingly good original condition, which has obviously never been apart. Both are on the road now.

[John Bloom]

Frank, just stunning.  Great photos.  Thanks for sharing.  Perhaps previously in the Locomobile thread you shared the history of the cars before you owned them, but I'd be interested in hearing how they came into your stewardship.  Just gorgeous cars.  

[alsfarms]

Nice picture additions to this chat Frank. Looking at the headlamps on your Sportif, what is the overall OD for those round drum style lamps?

Al

[alsfarms]

John,

Thanks for sharing a few pictures of the 1917 Repair Manual. It does appear to have some staining and etc. from age and years of storage.  I follow, elsewhere, a chat dedicated to the restoration and history of the early Cadillac's.  Lately, a poster from England, took a similar aged early Cadillac manual to what your Locomobile manual is and used Photoshop to clean it up. The end results, made it very good for reproducing legible and clear quality copies. I am very impressed with how the copy turned out. Should you be interested, I can share contact information so he can describe what he did to get beautiful end results. It is my hope that you can procure a Locomobile to go along with your manual.  🙂

Al 

Edited September 1, 2023 by alsfarms
clarity (see edit history)

[Ittenbacher Frank]

2 hours ago, alsfarms said:

Nice picture additions to this chat Frank. Looking at the headlamps on your Sportif, what is the overall OD for those round drum style lamps?

Al

28cm = 11" is the diameter of the shell.

[alsfarms]

Thanks, I will compare with what I have for the 1925 Demarest Limousine.

Al

[Ittenbacher Frank]

3 hours ago, alsfarms said:

Thanks, I will compare with what I have for the 1925 Demarest Limousine.

Al

Yes, please, I will appreciate. Please note the hinge positions and locking devices, they are all slighly different. Also the support brackets and the way they are riveted to the shell.

[edinmass]

[John Bloom]

I hope that is headed home with you???

 

 

[edinmass]

2 hours ago, John Bloom said:

I hope that is headed home with you???

 

 

It was crazy. I left a bid with very little hope, and I was correct. It went for twice of what I valued it at. Yet the other Loco, which was nice, went for nothing. Unfortunately I didn’t toss in a low ball on that one. I really don’t need more cars, but a Loco and a Crane are on my bucket list. I was hoping a friend would buy one and send it to me to fix…….scratches the itch, without an insult to my checkbook. Having sold my old shop, I went from 12k square feet of storage to 1400……….so room is now an issue. When I buy my retirement place, I will solve the problem. It’s probably all for the best. But the touring car for 40k sure hurts.

 

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by edinmass (see edit history)

[John Bloom]

2 minutes ago, edinmass said:

It was crazy. I left a bid with very little hope, and I was correct. It went for twice of what I valued it at. Yet the other Loco, which was nice, went for nothing. Unfortunately I didn’t toss in a low ball on that one. I really don’t need more cars, but a Loco and a Crane are on my bucket list. I was hoping a friend would buy one and send it to me to fix…….scratches the itch, without an insult to my checkbook. Having sold my old shop, I went from 12k square feet of storage to 1400……….so room is now an issue. When I buy my retirement place, I will solve the problem. It’s probably all for the best. But the touring car for 40k sure hurts.

 

 

Your reality and logic rings true with me, I get it. I don’t know my way around these cars like you do, but that touring at that hammer price had my stomach a little sick as well.  
 

 

 

 

[alsfarms]

So Ed, What is your take on the whole show and also the auction prices? In your thinking, are big boy toys prices continuing upward or do you sense a gradual decline. Share more on the yellow touring car. Was it a good virgin automobile that hadn't suffered any monkey business in the past? Could you post a few prices on some of the " notable" heavy cars? Oh yes......

Thanks for your taking the time to post pictures! Next up is Hershey. Are you hearing rumblings of any Locomobile's making the trip that will be for sale this year?

Al

Edited September 2, 2023 by alsfarms
Clarity (see edit history)

[jrbartlett]

I've not seen the yellow Loco in person, but remember the story about how it was found -- a fellow had seen it in his youth, got curious and went back decades later and it was still in the original owner's garage, in original condition. I thought the auction price was way low on it.

[alsfarms]

Do you recall what state the Yellow Locomobile was found in?

Al

[edinmass]

13 hours ago, jrbartlett said:

I've not seen the yellow Loco in person, but remember the story about how it was found -- a fellow had seen it in his youth, got curious and went back decades later and it was still in the original owner's garage, in original condition. I thought the auction price was way low on it.

 

I would have taken it home if I had any idea that it would sell for that number. It's newer than what I desire for a Loco, but I would have been fine with it. The roadster engine had been stuck for 70 years, and the plugs were left out of it for that entire time. Looking it over quickly I determined it would require a total rebuild, which I was ok with at a certain "in" number. I was thinking 50-60k, and it went for just under 120k. My number was very conservative as I really didn't need a big dollar project with a dead engine and three year time frame. It truly was a fantastic car. With luck the new owner will dump a fortune in it making it run and cleaning it up without restoring it.........and I will take a shot the next time it comes up. I'm convinced there are more cars than dedicated Loco enthusiasts........and I will find something I like in my price range sooner or later. The yellow car..........shit, no one to blame but myself. 

[edinmass]

On 9/2/2023 at 9:24 AM, alsfarms said:

So Ed, What is your take on the whole show and also the auction prices? In your thinking, are big boy toys prices continuing upward or do you sense a gradual decline. Share more on the yellow touring car. Was it a good virgin automobile that hadn't suffered any monkey business in the past? Could you post a few prices on some of the " notable" heavy cars? Oh yes......

Thanks for your taking the time to post pictures! Next up is Hershey. Are you hearing rumblings of any Locomobile's making the trip that will be for sale this year?

Al

I think auctions can be hard to predict, especially with cars needing work. The yellow Loco was at least reasonable and a few in the last ten years have been similar. Original and old restorations appeal to me ten times more than just five years ago. To be honest, I much rather buy my cars privately. If you buy a great car needing little or nothing, paying “more than retail” can still be a bargain. So, I think every car must be looked at on a case by case basis. Overall, good cars brought good money. Great cars brought great money. There were a few that were hard to figure out…..on the high and low side. I determine a cars value based on my enjoyment and expectations. The hell with the market. I am running out of time, and try as I might I can’t buy more……….so if I overpay for something so be it. I try like hell not too……..but cost averaging means if it’s for something I intend to keep, I can pay more if I want to.

 

 

 

 

[rydersclassics]

 

The new owner had this great Locomobile at the San Marino Concourse.

It's alive again and shows nicely. A large classy car than made me smile after following the treat posted here.

 

Hope to see it around down the road.       

 

 

 

[edinmass]

It was a pleasure to look the car over. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him, he was just a few cars over from me. The car made a nice presentation on the field…….and it was well received.

[BobinVirginia]

On 9/7/2023 at 6:28 PM, rydersclassics said:

 

The new owner had this great Locomobile at the San Marino Concourse.

It's alive again and shows nicely. A large classy car than made me smile after following the treat posted here.

 

Hope to see it around down the road.       

 

 

 

Super Cool!! I wish I had more time to see and experience these great vehicles 

Edited September 10, 2023 by BobinVirginia (see edit history)

[alsfarms]

See and Savor when you can as they are certainly a rarity and not seen out and about frequently.

Al

[alsfarms]

I borrowed a picture from Hyman of a special and very clean Locomobile roadster. Can any of you share information on this nice Locomobile?

Al

[jcrow]

I do not was originally built as roadster. Many reasons. First is the panel between the

body and the running board. Does not meet flush with rear fender........ probably from a

touring.

 

Johnny

[alsfarms]

Johnny, could you post a photograph that shows more clearly what you are referencing above?

Al

[jcrow]

There are lots of other clues....... but Loco would have never terminated

the metal in such a sloppy way. Look at other real roadsters.

[jcrow]

[BobinVirginia]

On 8/26/2023 at 2:39 AM, Ittenbacher Frank said:

Dear John, I have already posted several photos in several topics. Don't get confused: Lots of luck and good-will from heaven, support by the best wife in the world and much hard work made it possible that I was able to buy two of these model 48s: A 1916 made model 1917 seven passenger touring car, equipped with air suspension, restored to a very high standard app. 1960, and a 1921 Sedan in amazingly good original condition, which has obviously never been apart. Both are on the road now.

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing 

[BobinVirginia]

On 9/2/2023 at 6:23 AM, edinmass said:

The cars are cool but, look at slim @edinmass 

Edited September 24, 2023 by BobinVirginia (see edit history)

[Ittenbacher Frank]

[Ittenbacher Frank]

Last weekend I participated in a 2-days-car rally for cars until 1918 with my Locos. On Friday I drove more than 160 miles with the 1916 Tourer, on Saturday 95 miles with the 1921 Sedan to the Hotel where the cars started, then a tour around the hilly area of the western forest, then back home again. Good weather, great fun and my testing of all the recent improvements was very successful. Met many friends and made new ones, experienced many cars on the road which are usually never seen on German public roads. A few German makes (Benz, Opel, Dürkopp), one 1909 Minerva made in belgium and one 1911 Brazier from France, a british Stellite (Wolseley) and several American cars: Oldsmobile curved dash, 2-cylinder Buick, 1912 Cadillac, Studebaker, Hupmobile, a Pierce Arrow 38-C4, and for me the most important: My friend Lothar brought his 1916 Locomobile 48 speed car from Munich! Other participants came from Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands as well.

Here are some photos, hope you will like them.

Edited September 25, 2023 by Ittenbacher Frank (see edit history)