58L-Y8 Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 (edited) For Sale: 1917 Elgin Touring - $15,000 - Rocky Face, GA - Still Available, Same $15,000 price: 6-25-2022: See New Link Below: SOLD! 1917 Elgin - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (craigslist.org) Seller's Description: Been painted once in 54 years. Tons of documentation. 1 of 7 known to exist. $15,000 FIRM or trade Contact: text: (706) 4-two-8-1-8-nineteen Copy and paste in your email: 38020673c1cd3e0aa8b85573c35325d8@sale.craigslist.org I have no personal interest or stake in the eventual sale of this 1917 Elgin Touring. Edited October 20, 2022 by 58L-Y8 SOLD!!! (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Harper Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Don't see one of these often! I believe it has a Falls six cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 I have a ‘20 Elgin Touring Car. You are correct…. Fall’s engine that was made exclusively for Elgin according to the tag that is on the side of the block. This guys ad said 1 of 7 known to be left. I have heard less than 15 to be left. I know of 4. Thanks. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Any association between the car co. and the boat engines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Not that I am aware of. Some executives of the Elgin Watch Company (Elgin IL) got together to try their hand at the car business. Two slogans that they used were “Car of the Hour” and “Runs Like A Watch”. There were no legal affiliations to the watch company and the cars were produced in Argo IL (now know as Summit/Argo). 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 I got a Studebaker pocket watch to go with my antique Studebaker years ago. And I have an antique Elgin pocket watch. I wish I could get this to go with my watch! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif in Calif Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 (edited) I wish there were better pictures. I hadn't heard of Elgin. The internet wasn't much help but did turn this up: https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1255183 Edited May 8, 2022 by Leif in Calif didn't post picture from link (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 (Wayne), or other readers, If your interested, I would consider selling my Elgin. The reason that I would sell mine is because I have located the actual car (24 REO) that my dad owned back when I was in high school (late 70’s). I have an opportunity to buy dad’s old car, but I don’t have space. I need to let a car go to get another one. I also have a few other Elgin items (watch, stock document, etc.) that would go with the car. Anyone interested drop me a note. I also have a 21 REO Touring that I would consider selling. Thanks all. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted June 25, 2022 Author Share Posted June 25, 2022 Still Available, Same $15,000 price: 6-25-2022: 1917 Elgin - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (craigslist.org) Seller's Description: Been painted once in 54 years. Tons of documentation. 1 of 7 known to exist. $15,000 FIRM or trade Contact: text: (706) 4-two-8-1-8-nineteen Copy and paste in your email: 20b2d8debcf931508e038b2cf81e8d93@sale.craigslist.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercub Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 On 5/8/2022 at 2:05 PM, Leif in Calif said: I wish there were better pictures. I hadn't heard of Elgin. The internet wasn't much help but did turn this up: https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1255183 Now that is the cat's meow for a speedster. I would imagine hard to parallel park with that tail cone though, assuming it could be made to pass scrutiny of the friendly CT DMV folks. I could hang my Elgin watch from the dash... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted June 27, 2022 Share Posted June 27, 2022 I think the seller's firm price may make this car hard to sell. There is little demand for cars of this era to begin; there is small demand for Elgins; and it's likely no one will call to discuss the price when the seller is adamant. A firm price may work only when an item is in high demand with numerous suitors. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Armstrong Posted October 20, 2022 Share Posted October 20, 2022 Hello forum, Just purchased the 1917 Elgin.. Would appreciate advise on getting it running.. Seller said it ran fine a year ago.. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted October 20, 2022 Share Posted October 20, 2022 1 minute ago, France Armstrong said: Hello forum, Just purchased the 1917 Elgin.. Would appreciate advise on getting it running.. Seller said it ran fine a year ago.. Start a thread on the car under "Our cars and Restoration Projects". Congratulations. https://forums.aaca.org/forum/86-our-cars-restoration-projects/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted October 20, 2022 Author Share Posted October 20, 2022 10 minutes ago, France Armstrong said: Hello forum, Just purchased the 1917 Elgin.. Would appreciate advise on getting it running.. Seller said it ran fine a year ago.. Congratulations! Thanks for informing us. Please start a thread to share your project progress with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Armstrong Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 After the 1917 Elgin Six was cleaned up.. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 Beautiful car! Yours now? However, turn the MotoMeter around. It is supposed to be read from the driver's seat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Armstrong Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 Thanx Wayne, Yes I purchased it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted November 7, 2022 Author Share Posted November 7, 2022 It looks wonderful! Thanks for the update on its condition, good to know another old car is in the hands of a new appreciative conservator. How does it drive? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Armstrong Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 Thanx 58L .. Have not had it running yet.. Can anyone give me a checklist for Dummies on getting it going..?? I need to purchase a 6 volt battery.. After that it's , it's new territory for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-mman Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, France Armstrong said: Have not had it running yet.. Can anyone give me a checklist for Dummies on getting it going..?? First question: What are you mechanical skills and available tools? Are you doing this yourself? or are you looking at a professionals? Parked cars basically go bad from fluids. Gas, oil and water. First thing you want to know is whether the engine is free. - remove plugs, try to spin with hand crank. You will be looking at things like valve operation also. Are they free and functioning? Second - How is the oil? basically you remove the oil pan and drain and clean it with solvent. While pan is off look at engine (crank, rods, etc) Trans and rear end oil would be checked here. Third - Fuel system What is in the gas tank. Stored completely empty? excellent! Has 5-10 gallons of decades old fuel? <expletive> Gotta remove the tank for cleaning. Then clean and check fuel lines, vacuum tank and carb. Drain and flush the radiator (again hopefully it was stored empty) Likely you will be fussing with the cooling system for a long while even after it runs. (See: Evaporust) Once all of its fluids are clean, and it spins, then you try to start it. This is where you will be fighting, testing and adjusting the ignition system (including timing) and fuel delivery system including carburetor. Much more involved of course. As requested this is the ultra basic version. Notice I didnt mention the battery. Most all of the above is done without a battery. Your first cranking of the engine should NOT be done with the starter motor. Edited November 7, 2022 by m-mman (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 An engine that has sat for a long time? Do not force it! An easy to fix stuck valve could turn very quickly into a very expensive repair! Usually, an engine can be freed up and be okay to run with a bit of careful checking and general service. Pretty well covered by m-mman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewarnut Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 It looks like he has exposed lifters and rockers which should make inspection easier. I assume when getting to actual start up lubricating these will be in order. Perhaps the buyer will post in the technical or restoration section his thead showing steps taken to resurrect this rare platform. I think the expert comments are always helpful to remember (and temper enthusiasm to just press the starter button and see what happens).🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Armstrong Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 On 5/8/2022 at 5:47 PM, RodgerWilson said: (Wayne), or other readers, If your interested, I would consider selling my Elgin. The reason that I would sell mine is because I have located the actual car (24 REO) that my dad owned back when I was in high school (late 70’s). I have an opportunity to buy dad’s old car, but I don’t have space. I need to let a car go to get another one. I also have a few other Elgin items (watch, stock document, etc.) that would go with the car. Anyone interested drop me a note. I also have a 21 REO Touring that I would consider selling. Thanks all. Hey Rodger, How's the 1920 Elgins electrical problem coming..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Armstrong Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 Thanx for the instruction.. That's some good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 Not finding a lot time to work on it, so not any change to report. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 11 hours ago, RodgerWilson said: Not finding a lot time to work on it, so not any change to report. Thanks. I sure know that problem. My 1915 model T runabout should have been finished over five years ago! It has been about three months from running for over four years now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rodney Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 I have a 1919 Elgin touring that I need work done. Any recommendations? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rodney Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m-mman Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 Ok, those are the facts, but I’m not sure what you are asking. 🤔 Are you looking for a shop that will restore it? Are you asking about networking to get parts and information? Are you looking for an interested person who might want to buy it from you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 Not many Elgin automobiles around. Looks like a good start on the restoration of that one. Still a lot to be done. What m-mman said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rodney Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 I think I would like to find more information about them. I'm not finding a whole lot now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 Give me a call…. I have a 1920 Elgin and I have gathered some information on the brand. Based on your picture this is one that I was not aware of. Until now I’ve been under the impression of eight are known to be left. I guess this makes 9. I am doing shows both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, so the evening hours would probably be best. 708-259-0298. Where are you located? I’m in the Chicagoland area. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 (edited) On 5/16/2024 at 8:32 PM, Jason Rodney said: I have a 1919 Elgin touring that I need work done. Any recommendations? Mike Gardner of Gardner Restorations in Lebanon, Penna. (not too far from Hershey) has an Elgin car circa 1920. He can be reached at (717) 675-7182. I think he was the one who was restoring it for its previous owner. That owner passed away during the restoration; after the car was for sale for a while, Mike bought it. It's nice, though not quite finished. Mike's shop rate was $50 an hour, the last I knew a couple of years ago. Still, to restore one completely would cost tens of thousands of dollars. He could likely do less work on the car, too, such as getting it running and driving well, if you wanted. Edited May 18 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 As I understand it, Mike agreed to take the car for the unpaid balance that was owed him. Mike sent me some pictures of the car, but the pictures are on my computer, not my tablet. If I recall the car was a 21 coupe, but I’ll confirm once I have looked it up on my computer. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodgerWilson Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 Here’s the ‘21 Elgin Coupe that Mike has in PA. (I assume that he still has it). 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HillbillyBuilder Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 I just found this thread, it seems a bit old but what the heck. I have a 1917 Elgin Touring car complete. Looking to connect with other owners out there. Mine is complete (restored in late 1980's, last ran maybe 10 yrs ago), but have a few small parts left over. Jason McNabb Fernie BC Canada mcnabbfabrications@gmail.com 306-295-7561 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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