31 LaSalle Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 7 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said: Saturday morning (08/24/24), Mrs. D and I decided to take our 1934 Ford V8 for a ride in the country. Not being out of the bar for over 2 months, it started right up and we headed for Highlands, NC for a car guy gathering called "Butts On The Bench". Highlands is about 2000 feet above our home at 4118 Ft., called a "Town with Altitude". To get there we took Highlands Rd., which became the Cullasage Gorge Rd that hugged the gorge created by the Cullasaga River/ With a shear rock cliff to our left and a 200 foot drop to the river on our right, we stayed in our lane and enjoyed a challenging drive. We paused a the Sliding Rock Falls, the Bridal Veil falls and the Dry Falls in the 9 mile drive similar to the Tail of the Dragon (With 129 curves in it's 11 miles) I was to busy to count the curves, we've the Tail of the Dragon too, which is less than 30 miles away. Following the "Butts on the Bench stop", we visited a neat Thrift Store called Mountain Findings and didn't find anything we needed Then we drove though the Bascom Art Museum's covered bridge and began our decent into Georgia that had switchbacks @ 10% grade for about 3 miles. (A real test for mechanical brakes & Second gear) Once in the valley we went to the Valley Cafe' for a nice lunch, then home on some valley bottom roads along the Little Tennessee River, visiting some old car friends along the way. A nice morning drive, and we only went 67 miles. V8's Rule! Love the car and the bridge sounds like you had a great drive out 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewarnut Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 Highlands to Franklin is a great experience, I agree, if everyone stays on their side. I do miss it. Less commotion than the Tail of the Dragon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted August 28 Author Share Posted August 28 12 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said: Saturday morning (08/24/24), Mrs. D and I decided to take our 1934 Ford V8 for a ride in the country. Not being out of the bar for over 2 months, it started right up and we headed for Highlands, NC for a car guy gathering called "Butts On The Bench". Highlands is about 2000 feet above our home at 4118 Ft., called a "Town with Altitude". To get there we took Highlands Rd., which became the Cullasage Gorge Rd that hugged the gorge created by the Cullasaga River/ With a shear rock cliff to our left and a 200 foot drop to the river on our right, we stayed in our lane and enjoyed a challenging drive. We paused a the Sliding Rock Falls, the Bridal Veil falls and the Dry Falls in the 9 mile drive similar to the Tail of the Dragon (With 129 curves in it's 11 miles) I was to busy to count the curves, we've the Tail of the Dragon too, which is less than 30 miles away. Following the "Butts on the Bench stop", we visited a neat Thrift Store called Mountain Findings and didn't find anything we needed Then we drove though the Bascom Art Museum's covered bridge and began our decent into Georgia that had switchbacks @ 10% grade for about 3 miles. (A real test for mechanical brakes & Second gear) Once in the valley we went to the Valley Cafe' for a nice lunch, then home on some valley bottom roads along the Little Tennessee River, visiting some old car friends along the way. A nice morning drive, and we only went 67 miles. V8's Rule! That is great! I love the skirts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachJC Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 (edited) Spent 4 days touring around Manitoulin Island.... drove close to 400 miles while there.... first pic is from our campsite...great views everyday Edited August 28 by coachJC (see edit history) 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachJC Posted August 28 Share Posted August 28 (edited) Here is a map for reference for many of you as to where Manitoulin Island is. Edited August 28 by coachJC (see edit history) 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted August 29 Share Posted August 29 (edited) On 8/28/2024 at 12:08 AM, BobinVirginia said: I didn’t drive a classic but drove to the ACD yesterday That place will wet your appetite for for expensive cars! Edited August 29 by Paul Dobbin (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 2 Author Share Posted September 2 Somewhere east of Auburn. 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinVirginia Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 I took a great drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway with my nephew today. He likes my 62 but he’s itching to ride in the Haynes! 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32buick67 Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 Drove about 150mi this weekend after a distributor rebuild/retime and oil change, then took my son out for lunch, stopped at his old elementary school for a throwback... 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 2 hours ago, Brass is Best said: Somewhere east of Auburn. Sorted one of the best driving prewar cars you will find. Unsorted, not so much... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinVirginia Posted September 2 Share Posted September 2 6 minutes ago, alsancle said: Sorted one of the best driving prewar cars you will find. Unsorted, not so much... Is that because of the shifting mechanism? Having seen one in person now, I see where it could be a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 3 Author Share Posted September 3 15 hours ago, alsancle said: Sorted one of the best driving prewar cars you will find. Unsorted, not so much... They are not that hard to sort. Once sorted they stay sorted. The problem is nobody takes the time to sort them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcarfudd Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 Where were you driving the Cord recently that the corn is all harvested? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 3 Author Share Posted September 3 (edited) 17 hours ago, BobinVirginia said: Is that because of the shifting mechanism? Having seen one in person now, I see where it could be a problem Yes. The shifting system requires a mechanic who can read and think. There is not a complete shop manual from any one source. But several guides and manuals that can be studied. Small adjustments matter. Making sure each part of working properly matters. If you overlook one item, you will have a problem. It is more than worth the effort to properly sort a Cord. They are one of the most enjoyable cars you can own. Those who complain about them usually fall into two camps. The first has never owned, driven or touched one, but like to repeat untruths about the car. The second has owned one but was too lazy or cheap to properly care for the car. Edited September 3 by Brass is Best (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 3 Author Share Posted September 3 2 minutes ago, oldcarfudd said: Where were you driving the Cord recently that the corn is all harvested? It all has started to turn here in Ohio over the last week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 Stayed home on Labor Day, but today was to nice to pass up a ride in the country in our unrestored 1935 Ford Pickup. We drove to town, ran a few errands and stopped for a photo in front of Clark's Barn. This is the same barn that got us on the cover of the V8 Times 14 years ago, so we took another picture and talked about selling the truck. It ran perfect and only took about 2 miles to get the flat spots out of the tires. (Bias Ply) then stopped for another photo in front of another old barn being converted to a house. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 On 9/2/2024 at 7:33 PM, BobinVirginia said: Is that because of the shifting mechanism? Having seen one in person now, I see where it could be a problem Mainly. If everything is brand new and adjusted properly it will work flawlessly. If you have a 85 year old wiring harness, or a bad connection or two, you could be screwed. It took us hours and hours to figure out there was a piece of solder touching the rivet in the selection switch. See the photo. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 23 minutes ago, alsancle said: Mainly. If everything is brand new and adjusted properly it will work flawlessly. If you have a 85 year old wiring harness, or a bad connection or two, you could be screwed. It took us hours and hours to figure out there was a piece of solder touching the rivet in the selection switch. See the photo. I love Cords. The Hoosier in me wants one. The shift mechanism does scare me and give me pause, and Electrical things are my weakest skill. getting really good at this and being “the guy” to fly in and fix the problems with your shift mechanism could be a great retirement gig for you and keep cord owners from throwing up their hands and jumping off a bridge. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinVirginia Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 (edited) 45 minutes ago, alsancle said: Mainly. If everything is brand new and adjusted properly it will work flawlessly. If you have a 85 year old wiring harness, or a bad connection or two, you could be screwed. It took us hours and hours to figure out there was a piece of solder touching the rivet in the selection switch. See the photo. While I was admiring the dash of this Cord, I was wondering about everything involved with the shifter. Super cool cars and found it very comfortable even for a guy my size. Edited September 4 by BobinVirginia (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Been driving this little guy every day for almost a week--nearly 500 miles on it in six days. Finally got the carburetors right so it's just a joy to drive. Took a different long way home after work tonight and found a vintage gas station in the middle of the park. Took some photos and then finished my drive. This car exists solely for the joy of driving and it does its job rather well. The fact that it works so well as a regular car is pretty amazing, and no matter what I do, it gets almost 30 MPG. What a great little machine! 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bloom Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 3 minutes ago, Matt Harwood said: Been driving this little guy every day for almost a week--nearly 500 miles on it in six days. Finally got the carburetors right so it's just a joy to drive. Took a different long way home after work tonight and found a vintage gas station in the middle of the park. Took some photos and then finished my drive. This car exists solely for the joy of driving and it does its job rather well. The fact that it works so well as a regular car is pretty amazing, and no matter what I do, it gets almost 30 MPG. What a great little machine! Great photo Matt. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Matt, If I am not mistaken when you first took possession of this car you said you were not a Porsche guy and had it just because (more or less). Now it seems that the more you drive it the more it is invading your soul😁 Must be something about them. I like the looks of some of them but have never been crazy about a porsche. I can appreciate them for what they are but thats about it. Maybe I should take a test drive, seems to be something about them! Likewise I felt the same about corvettes. I never had a desire to own one. I had a friend that let me take his Z06 out for a spin and I was hooked. I started to realize what all the fuss was about. Great Picture! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 (edited) 1 hour ago, TAKerry said: Matt, If I am not mistaken when you first took possession of this car you said you were not a Porsche guy and had it just because (more or less). Now it seems that the more you drive it the more it is invading your soul😁 Must be something about them. I like the looks of some of them but have never been crazy about a porsche. I can appreciate them for what they are but thats about it. Maybe I should take a test drive, seems to be something about them! Likewise I felt the same about corvettes. I never had a desire to own one. I had a friend that let me take his Z06 out for a spin and I was hooked. I started to realize what all the fuss was about. Great Picture! You're right, Kerry. Despite growing up with Porsches since I was 14 years old, I wasn't a fan. They were fun to drive once in a while but I never aspired to own one. This little 356 was slightly more appealing than the newer 911s because it felt like an old car, but I never wished to own it. I admit that we spent a lot of time wondering if we should just sell it because I wasn't in love with it when it was just sitting here in the shop, inert. I feel differently now that I've spent a considerable amount of time behind the wheel (and under the hood). It's probably a combination of things: 1. it's insanely simple to fix, which is a pleasant change of pace. 2. it just works like it should and feels indestructible. And 3, it really is entertaining to drive and while it's not exactly fast, it certainly keeps up with traffic easily, removing at least one concern when driving an old car. Does that add up to loving it? Not sure. But I certainly appreciate and enjoy the car, and am grateful to have the opportunity to fully experience it rather than a 10-minute drive now and then, as in the past. It has won me over in ways I didn't expect. Then there's the satisfaction of having significantly improved the car myself, which adds immeasurably to the experience. At the risk of sounding immodest, I doubt it has ever worked as well as it does now. I've put almost 500 miles on it in the last week simply because it's working correctly and I'm the guy who figured it out. That's very rewarding. Is it the same as loving the car? I can't tell. But I sure do like it. Edited September 5 by Matt Harwood (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 (edited) The one Cord 810 - 812 I remember the best and would have wanted to own because of who owned it and who sorted it out was a great guy named Ed Madura of Ct. ( he was a very skilled mechanic - his profession was an engineer at Pratt & Whitney) His Cord was a black Beverly sedan and his other car was a series 11 Franklin roadster from 1926 that I did a drive report test on for Special Interest Autos magazine for Mike Lamm. Both cars eventually wound up in the collection of Gene and Joe Gazza here on long island . I do not know where those cars are now. Many decades since all of my experience with them has passed. Edited September 5 by Walt G (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 I have been driving this beast around for the last few days. 1942 Cadillac Series 63. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Luddy Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 Had this 1963 Bonneville out for a few short runs to check out the mechanicals. It still needs trim and interior work, but powertrain and such is done. 389 needs a few break in miles. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 Bryce is ready to go for a ride 😊 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31 LaSalle Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 26 minutes ago, Tom M said: Bryce is ready to go for a ride 😊 Nice Car Dog Thinks SO As Well 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted September 8 Share Posted September 8 Yesterday, Saturday Sept 7, we decided to take the challenge of the Cullajaga River Gorge Rd again to Highlands, NC. woth passengers in the back seat of the 35 Buick. On the way up we spoke of the Tail of The Dragon's 318 turns in it's 11 miles, and I asked one of the passengers to count the turn on the way back. We visited the Boscom Museum's covered bridge, stopped to see the "Butt;s on the Bench" car bunch and enjoyed a long lunch at the Blue Bike. Then on the way back home, we counted 112 turn in the 11 miles back to Franklin that compared to the 318 turns on the "Tail of the Dragon" in their 11 miles. I was glad we had radial tires! If we ever have a National Tour here, this will be on the schedule as optional. However I've done it many many times in various cars, 1913 to 1935 and a couple of times in a motorhome, towing a car (Which I'm now prohibited from doing again) 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 2 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said: a couple of times in a motorhome, towing a car (Which I'm now prohibited from doing again) Only you? Or everybody? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 9 Author Share Posted September 9 Today was a great day for a ride in the 1955 Hudson Rambler Custom sedan. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin The Kid Posted September 9 Share Posted September 9 Been really enjoying taking the Franklin down the beautiful dirt roads of Kansas. I think I did about 100 miles this weekend! 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 Is that a public road? I was in Iowa last fall and saw a lot of cars completely covered in dirt on the back. I could see side roads from the interstate with cars driving and dust just a flying. Caught me as odd being from the east coast. Even in my rural county all of our roads are paved, LOL. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 (edited) It's 1929 again! Edited September 10 by EmTee (see edit history) 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 10 Author Share Posted September 10 I had the 1951 Willys CJ-3A out for a ride, the beans are starting to turn. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted September 10 Share Posted September 10 (edited) On 9/8/2024 at 8:10 PM, wayne sheldon said: Only you? Or everybody? The State finally banned 18 Wheelers and trailers overs 32'. My ban was imposed by my wife! Edited September 10 by Paul Dobbin (see edit history) 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass is Best Posted September 11 Author Share Posted September 11 Nothing beats an unrestored original automobile. This 1956 Ford has less than 35,000 documented miles. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted Sunday at 09:47 PM Share Posted Sunday at 09:47 PM After a two year sleep we woke up our 30 Model A today. EZ - New hand me down battery from the Packard, and check fluids and tires. Spin the engine twice and after a short shakedown run and some fresh gas we spent a great afternoon on some local back roads and a couple of quick stops... 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coachJC Posted Monday at 11:52 AM Share Posted Monday at 11:52 AM Got the 1911 Model T out from my Dads a couple of weeks ago, he has not driven it in a couple of years as it is getting to hard for him to drive. Put approx. 80 miles on it over a few weeks and went to a few car shows and cruise nights. Dad bought this car in 1973 and is the first of his old cars that I learned to drive when I was 16. I took this car to my high school graduation, and toured with it after joining our local chapter of The MTFCI. This is also the car and the reason that my first T is a 1920 Roadster, an all black car because I got tired of polishing brass all the time😁. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted Monday at 12:00 PM Share Posted Monday at 12:00 PM On 9/11/2024 at 3:15 PM, Brass is Best said: Nothing beats an unrestored original automobile. This 1956 Ford has less than 35,000 documented miles. Those exhuast cutouts are cool. Is that factory and why have I never noticed this? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now