Your car "Then" and Now

[29 Chandler]

All of our cars have some history attached to them. Sometimes previous owners value the story about the car and much as you do. When this happens you may be lucky enough to acquire documentation and old pictures of your car. We were fortunate that the previous three owners of our Chandler kept records and pictures with the car as it changed caretakers over time. Not only is it fun to look back in time but also a valuable resource to see how your car has was once configured and compare that to its current state. For restoration this is an invaluable tool. 

 

Share with us pictures of you car "then" and now.

 

Here's our 1914 Chandler back in 1957 when it changed hands for the first time in Iowa. The second owner's grandkids are pictured in the car.

 

My now picture was taken in Pasadena CA during a tour our chapter of the Horseless Carriage Club took to visit the homes of some of our club's founding members. This year the club celebrated 70 years!

[edinmass]

Ok........I will play.........

 

Photo 1 is 1917 - New York Auto Salon, NYC.

Photo 2 is 1944 - Quantico Virginia

Photo 3 is 2020 - Palm Beach Florida

Edited August 29, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[Guest]

That salon shot is great!

[SC38dls]

Oops !  Hopefully I can fix it. 

Edited August 29, 2021 by SC38DLS (see edit history)

[J.H.Boland]

My '21 Chevy modified touring as purchased and now.

[TerryB]

That does NOT look good Dave!

Edited August 29, 2021 by TerryB (see edit history)

[Paul Dobbin]

3 minutes ago, SC38DLS said:

 

4 minutes ago, SC38DLS said:

    That hurts, just seeing it.   When and how did somebody back into you with such force?

[J.H.Boland]

My '72 C20 Chevy pickup was built as an 8 ft. stepside. At some point, utility boxes replaced the rear fenders. The rear suspension was further beefed up for a big slide-in camper (no photo) with a front bumper-mounted spare tire. I opted to replace the utility box with a fleetside and dress it up a bit.

[PFindlay]

Here are pictures of my 1912 REO, originally from Oregon.

 

1.  1914 family picture.  REO is on the right.  The original owner, John McKee is on the far left.  He died shortly after and his son John (beside the REO) kept the car in use until 1924 and then in the barn until the 1970s.  Even then, he took care of it, cleaning and running it regularly because it was his "special" car.  A family member recently provided me with information and photos.

 

2. 1970:  In the barn.  Aunt Jessie beside the REO.  During the 70s the car was sold but didn't change much from this picture.  My father purchased it in 1980 and put it on the road for the first time in 56 years.  In 1997 we drove it across Canada (5000 miles) re-creating the first cross-Canada trip, which was done with an identical 1912 REO.  Many other tours before and since.

 

3. 2015:  On a tour in central British Columbia.

 

 

 

[SC38dls]

Paul a lady slammed on her brakes at a green light. She said she thought it was red so stopped. A witness told the cop what she did so no tickets issued. Waiting for insurance and hoping I get to fix it and not total it. 
 

[MarkV]

My 1948 Lincoln that my grandfather owned from 1974-1991 that I tracked down and bought back in 2007! First photo is my grandfather in 1974, then 1983, several in the 80s, 1987, 2 from the 1990s (owner between my grandfather and I) then me by it in 2007 (and being towed home), 2008 parade, and then in 2020 and 2021 at my grandfathers grave and now my daughter in 2021! 

Edited August 29, 2021 by MarkV (see edit history)

[29 Chandler]

1 hour ago, PFindlay said:

Here are pictures of my 1912 REO, originally from Oregon.

 

1.  1914 family picture.  REO is on the right.  The original owner, John McKee is on the far left.  He died shortly after and his son John (beside the REO) kept the car in use until 1924 and then in the barn until the 1970s.  Even then, he took care of it, cleaning and running it regularly because it was his "special" car.  A family member recently provided me with information and photos.

 

2. 1970:  In the barn.  Aunt Jessie beside the REO.  During the 70s the car was sold but didn't change much from this picture.  My father purchased it in 1980 and put it on the road for the first time in 56 years.  In 1997 we drove it across Canada (5000 miles) re-creating the first cross-Canada trip, which was done with an identical 1912 REO.  Many other tours before and since.

 

3. 2015:  On a tour in central British Columbia.

 

 

 

Great story!

[Larry Schramm]

1 hour ago, SC38DLS said:

Paul a lady slammed on her brakes at a green light. She said she thought it was red so stopped. A witness told the cop what she did so no tickets issued. Waiting for insurance and hoping I get to fix it and not total it. 
 

 

Probably on the phone.

[28 Chrysler]

1 hour ago, SC38DLS said:

Paul a lady slammed on her brakes at a green light. She said she thought it was red so stopped. A witness told the cop what she did so no tickets issued. Waiting for insurance and hoping I get to fix it and not total it. 
 

What would be the insurance salvage value ?

[edinmass]

Dave......call me tomorrow morning FIRST thing.........do NOT report it yet. Ed

 

Im on a plane right now......

Edited August 30, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[Alex D.]

Back then, about 45 years ago I purchased this CJ2A from the original owner. About 10 years ago he gave me an old photo of the jeep and the original bill of sale before he passed.

 

Restored now 

 

[SC38dls]

Ed I had to report it as I was at fault and there was a police report. The appraiser said I will most likely have three options. One total it and receive my guaranteed amount. Two tthey total it and I can buy it back. Three they give me a check to repair it. Hopefully I get the third option. 
I give you a call but don’t want to mess up your day. 
 

[edinmass]

Understand....call me first thing tomorrow......there are more options, we just need to chat.

[edinmass]

8 minutes ago, Alex D. said:

Back then, about 45 years ago I purchased this CJ2A from the original owner. About 10 years ago he gave me an old photo of the jeep and the original bill of sale before he passed.

 

Restored now 

 

 

The price on the Jeep bill of sale shows how it was almost impossible to buy a new vehicle for three years after the war........neat Jeep.

[oldcarfudd]

Dave - Don't write off the second option until you see what they'll let you buy it back for.  My 1907 Cadillac was totaled by a jackass on a cell phone.  Most of the rear and the frame were destroyed, but most of the engine, all of the transmission, the body, seats, front end, and lamps were untouched.  The car was insured for $50,000.  Hagerty's appraiser said the wreck was worth 4,500 bucks. It took me less than two heartbeats to accept the return of my car and a check for $45,500.  I had the car re-restored and have been enjoying it for years.

[Tom Boehm]

Here is my 1940 Lasalle woodie. The first picture is from about 1965. The second is from January 2021. See more before and after pictures in the National Woodie Club section of this forum. 

[1937hd45]

My 1912 T Touring on the 1950 Glidden Tour three months before I was born, and in the garage today. Maybe 2022 is the year it gets out again. Bob 

[PONTIAC1953]

[1935Packard]

1st Picture: late 1990s, after sitting for about 40 years.

 

 

Last month:

 

 

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by 1935Packard (see edit history)

[PONTIAC1953]

1 minute ago, pontiac1953 said:

my 1953 Pontiac Chieftain Custom Catalina, i purchase from the original owners in 1973 in Santa Monica, Calif. for $150.00 , i was 17 years old then, i still have the Catalina today, still adding options and re-engineering the power train,

[f.f.jones]

Here's my 1972 F-100 which I purchased new in January 1973. The first photo shows me doing a brake job in 1977 being assisted by my now 44 year old son. Next photo shows it hard at work in the 1990's. The last was taken in 2020.  

[Dave39MD]

My older brothers and grandfather with his 39 Chevrolet and 21 Dodge. The brothers are now in their late 70's. A current picture of my 39 which my grandmother gave me and I picked up almost 50 years ago.

[John_S_in_Penna]

Here's a car that belonged to one of our local

members, deceased a few years ago.  He bought back,

and restored, a 1906 Cadillac that his grandfather had 

bought new.  He knew many stories from when his

grandfather had it, and even had original documentation:

the salesman's business card, a 1912 license plate,

old registration cards, etc.

 

It's great when history is preserved so well:

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[Mark Shaw]

1915 Buick Model C25 Speedster.

 

 

[MarkV]

Here are some more!:

my 1941 Dodge in the family since 1955. 
my maternal grandfather by the car 1955 (it was black and he painted it red In the 60s). My grandmother who is still alive complained that my grandfather didn’t pay the payments but she did! 

1984 after he passed my parents had it painted.

then photos of me as a baby with the car

2004- we began salvage operations and my sister tagged along

2006- was featured in Hemmings and took this photo of my paternal grandmother and my father and I by three of my cars featured.

2007- painted

some other photos from 2010-2016

and then my wife and I used it in our engagement photos! 

[PFindlay]

Perfect timing ... we had already planned to do these photos when the family was over yesterday.

 

Our 1927 Auburn 6-66 "Wanderer" Sedan:

 

Top Photo:  1962  I am the middle son (left of picture), age 6

Bottom Photo:  2021  I am the grandfather seated on the running board.

 

Same car, same coats, even found the same sign & newspaper clipping that were taped to the windows.  (Dad didn't throw out much.)

 

Edited August 30, 2021 by PFindlay (see edit history)

[jrbartlett]

The black & white photo shows my 1925 Locomobile Sportif when I first saw it in 1963 or 1964 when on an antique car tour in Waco, Texas, and then the color photo shows it in 2021 after I had succeeded in tracking it down and buying it. 

 

 

[1935Packard]

My '35 Packard back in 1951, with my grandparents in the front seat and my mom and my aunt in the rumble seat: 

 

 

Two weeks ago:

 

 

 

[lump]

I'll play too. Nice thread! 

 

First photo was taken in 1966, just as I was starting 7th grade. Notice the sweater which my Mom had skillfully knitted for me, featuring our Hupmobile touring. I was proud of that sweater, and other members of our car club were amazed at the correct details matching our actual car. My parents had bought the 23 Hupp about 4 years before. With me is my little brother Ralph, who was 2-1/2 years old. On the running board was my best friend at the time..."Silver" the roughhouse poodle. 

 

2nd photo was taken about 2018, and features my 2nd youngest grandson "Logan." Note that he is proudly wearing the same sweater. However in my old photo, you'll note the sleeves were getting too short for me by then, as I was nearly 11 years old. In the 2nd photo, you'll see that the sleeves are plenty long enough for Logan. But you'll also see the inevitable holes and wear which have befallen the ancient garment. 

 

3rd photo is Logan showing the backside view of the same sweater. 

[40phil41]

My 1940 Dodge was purchased by my wife's grandfather as a 6 month old used car in 1940. He drove it until 1956 when it was taken off the road and became a farm play vehicle for my wife's cousins on their fruit farm.

 

First photo was taken in either 1944 or 1945 with my wife's Aunt.

The second photo was taken in 1968 by me just before I pulled it out of the field where it had died.

The last photo was taken in 2006 (after I finally got it back on the road) within 20 ft of the very spot where it had been in 1968. 

 

 

[edinmass]

Nothing better than family cars, and multiple generations that apprichiate keeping things in the family.

Edited August 31, 2021 by edinmass (see edit history)

[60FlatTop]

Forty+ years ago.

 

A couple days ago still farting around with the final paint job.

[PFindlay]

One more for me ... my 1910 Russell-Knight.  Russell cars were built in Toronto from 1905 - 1916.  They began building Knight engined cars in 1910 using Daimler-Knight engines.

 

Top picture:  it's a little hard to tell, but I'm 99% certain this is my car.  The picture was taken in 1912 in Perth, Ontario.  The occasion was a flower parade celebrating the opening of the annual fair at the brand new fairgrounds.  The picture was labelled as "The Senator's car."  The Senator was Peter McLaren, a very wealthy lumber baron and federally appointed senator.  The newspaper said his son Willie was driving in the parade.  How can I tell it's my car?  Small details like the very flat and snub-nosed front fenders, the shape/size of top of the radiator, and the flowers over the centre of the hood, along the hood strap.

 

Middle picture:  1948, shortly after the three guys in the car found it in a barn near Perth and split the $100 cost.  They shared it for a number of years before selling it to E.R. Bourne in the San Diego area.  It stayed in that area for 40 years, in the care of Hayden Talliaferro and won the Most Desirable Car award at the 1960 HCCA Reno Tour.  (The driver in this picture is Ken Darou. He was the majority shareholder, having paid the extra $1 to make the full price of the car.)

 

Bottom picture:  After coming back to Canada in the early 2000s, I acquired the car in 2018.  This picture was taken in December, 2020, after delivering a club donation to the local Food Bank.

 

I'm still researching the story of this car, so if anyone has further info please contact me.

 

Edited August 31, 2021 by PFindlay (see edit history)

[sunnybaba]

I will play too.....  1st photo......my 1928 Chevrolet 1 ton farm flat bed, bought in southern Colorado in 1990 for $600 .....from behind an old rancher's Barn

Photo #2 &3    After I built it into an Oak bodied Motor Home.... with a V6 engine, 5 speed tranny and modern hydraulic Brakes..... Lived in it for 2 years, traveled from Canada, all over the western states, down into Arizona.... and sold it for $45K in 1999....

 

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2021 by sunnybaba (see edit history)

[motoringicons]

Here is the 1910 Buick Model 16. It is the "Big Brass Buick" with the 318 CID overhead valve engine.

 

The first three old photos were supplied by Jeff_a and show the car when his grandfather found it in Kansas in the 1930s and in later years. Jeff_a's family sold the car in about 1990 to E.J. Cole at an estate sale.

 

The next  two photos shows the car at the E.J. Cole Museum, which was part of his huge flea market empire, near Houston, Texas. Cole owned the car from about 1990 until December of 2020.

 

The next photo shows some of Jeff_a grandfather's literature and some of other items that I found the the trunk. He was apparently an active member of the Hutchinson Kansas HCCA region in the 1960s.

 

And finally three photos of how the car looks today. It is basically the same as when I got it except I removed the 1920s era windshield, truck sidelamps, and a few other incorrect or later parts. Cosmetically, I plan on keeping the car the way it is. Currently,  I am sorting the car out mechanically. The mechanical components show virtually no wear at all, which makes me think this is a really low mileage car. New tires just arrived. Hopefully, this great old Buick will be on the road again soon.

Edited October 6, 2021 by motoringicons (see edit history)