AHa 549 Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) "Cars receive harder usage in racing than imagined" says Harry F. Grant, who drove the Alco, a two-time winner of the Vanderbilt Cup. "It is the general impression that a racing car receives strains only rounding corners. Every little stone that protrubes through the surface of the road, every little ditch or imperfection in the course causes extra strain on the car. Upon hitting these imperfections, the car has the tendency to rise and leave the course." "At Elgin there was a ditch on the back stretch, a straightaway. Every time we went over this ditch, it became deeper and deeper. This ditch finally extended from one side of the course to the other. When our "Old No.18" Alco, of Vanderbilt Cup fame, would hit this ditch both the front and rear wheels would leave the ground. Upon landing, first the front wheels would strike the ground and then the rear". "To hold the car to the course it was necessary to brace my hand against my knee to take the strain off my wrist. One can imagine the consequences if a steering knuckle should break or the front or rear axle or any other part at such a critical moment. Of course, there are no such strains in ordinary touring." "No one need to be afraid to invest in a stock car that can resist the strains of racing. This is one of reason that I am so proud of my "Old No.18" Alco. It is strictly a stock car and has withstood the strains of two Vanderbilts in succession. You will remember that the 1909 Vanderbilt was a stock car race. Should it had been a high powered racer, I would not have the feeling for "Old No. 18" that I have." Harry Grant driving an Alco 6. Edited August 25, 2020 by AHa (see edit history) 2 Link to post Share on other sites
1912Staver 1,244 Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) Hazards like this are a real concern. Not only is there a tendency for the engine to overspeed , but also the shock loading on the entire drive train is considerable once the rear wheels make firm contact with the road once again. Broken axles and drive components can be a catastrophe at racing speeds. Harry Grant and all the other racing drivers of this era were truly Men of Iron. The Alco he speaks of is a treasure ! I still find it hard to believe that as recently as the late 1980's it sold for something in the $70,000.00 range. I was just about to take a plunge on a house but the Alco sure was tempting. Greg Edited August 25, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 How about the 1907 Ford 666. Ford took a Model K six cylinder motor and set it down on this frame. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of the 666. Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 1913 Oakland 1 Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) I pulled these from the Mercer forum. They are of a 1911 Mercer. The location was not supplied. This year Mercer is extremely hyped and I don't want to add to that but you can't deny they made a great looking car! I know a guy who has four of these under restoration. I wonder if I could talk him out of one. Hmmmm. Edited September 1, 2020 by AHa (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Here's another Mercer. These photos are so valuable, everybody wants to own them. That's why they're all written over. Link to post Share on other sites
George Cole 685 Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Firestone Columbus Link to post Share on other sites
1912Staver 1,244 Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) That number 56 has the strangest mounting position for snubbers I have ever seen. Someone's big idea that fizzled. I think it is one of the small model Overland's with the unconventional front spring. Greg Edited September 2, 2020 by 1912Staver (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 On 4/9/2020 at 10:39 AM, 1937hd45 said: The restored car today in the INDY 500 Collection It's great to see both images of the auto next to each other, almost like a before and after, but not quite. Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Or perhaps more of a then and now. Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 On 9/2/2020 at 3:11 PM, George Cole said: That is one crazy buick. Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 On 9/13/2020 at 3:03 PM, AHa said: There is a lot said about this vintage Mercer. It is a highly desired and prized car and just from the looks of it, I can see why. Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Yes. Mercer's really are valuable these days. Cool you've got an image of one! Mercer's are my favorite cars. My favorite color is yellow, and that's what they usually came in. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 1912 Regal Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 1905 Tincher Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 1916 Stutz Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 I am so tired of this covid thing and now you've got all these political ads and dirt and lies flying about, I need a lot of stress relief. How bout you guys? Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) 1913 Mercer/Simeone Museum Edited September 17, 2020 by AHa (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Mercer's really are pretty cool. Here is an image of one racing, or at least getting ready for one or after one. Do you know? It isn't so dirty (yet!). Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 8 minutes ago, AHa said: 1913 Mercer That one's from Simeone right? Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Looks like the same car, no? Link to post Share on other sites
1913Mercer 1 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 1 minute ago, AHa said: Looks like the same car, no? Hey yeah. Cool! Link to post Share on other sites
AHa 549 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) Edited September 17, 2020 by AHa (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
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