1929 Stearns Knight J8-90

[alsancle]

Since Pete went  to the trouble, I'll put a thread here on my unrestored Stearns Knight.   The 8-90 was the top of the line car in Stearns Knight line and the production bodied cars sold for over 5k.   This has a coachbuilt Brunn body (1 of 3 different bodies built by Brunn for Stearns and originally sold for $10,000.00.    It was displayed at the NY auto Salon (see pictures) and the Chicago and LA where it was finally sold.   I'm the 4th owner.    A single partial respray at some point as well as a top, otherwise basically left alone.

 

 

[alsancle]

[alsancle]

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by alsancle (see edit history)

[alsancle]

[alsancle]

[alsancle]

[John Bloom]

Great car AJ. Thanks for sharing all the pics. I really like the shots you included of the “under dash/steering area”. Used and well cared for. A look I appreciate more and more the older I get. 

[alsancle]

[Walt G]

I just want to call to everyone's attention to the fact that this is an open body style car BUT has cloth upholstery! not leather.

this was not unusual for a car in that era with an open body style but that also had roll up windows in the doors , not side curtains.

It is a seldom talked about feature , but was something that was just accepted and not questioned when the cars were new a century ago .

Walt

Edited February 14, 2023 by Walt G (see edit history)

[alsancle]

The key chain and oil change plate.

 

both from the original dealership in LA.  Collins Lusby was the follow on to Lynn Burton.

Edited February 25, 2023 by alsancle (see edit history)

[Walt G]

This is just so COOL. wow. thank you for sharing this with all of us.

Walt

[tomkonrad]

A beautiful car! And incredible that is survives in the condition it is.

 

Here is a page from an article in Autobody from January 1929 covering the New York Auto Salon where the car was presented. 

 

I hope to see it in person one day!

 

Tom

[TexRiv_63]

Don't know how I missed this - what a beautiful car and amazing preservation of an original!

[alsancle]

Thanks guys. I’m gonna try to drive it a solid 50 miles tomorrow. Would like to get more driving in before winter comes.

[pughs]

AJ,

Is that a Marvel Mystery oil auxiliary lube thing on the firewall. If so, does it work and help lubricate the sleeves. If not what is it? Also, Lynn Buxton was also one of the Packard dealers in Los Angeles in 1929.

 

[alsancle]

2 hours ago, pughs said:

AJ,

Is that a Marvel Mystery oil auxiliary lube thing on the firewall. If so, does it work and help lubricate the sleeves. If not what is it? Also, Lynn Buxton was also one of the Packard dealers in Los Angeles in 1929.

 

 

Steve,  yes that was a mystery oiler installed.  Ed removed it and it was 1/2 the contributing problem to the excess smoke.  The other 1/2 was the oiler valve which as you know is cast and goes bad. I believe you have the last new one from Mark.

[pughs]

Thanks for the info on the mystery oiler. I was wondering how it would do anything positive since the engine has a pretty substantial oiling system already. I have installed the new oiler valve but haven't yet got the old top water jacket off which leaks so badly so I haven't run the car with the new valve.

[alsancle]

We had a beautiful 78° day today. I posted this over in the driving Classics thread. But I’ll put it here too, in case you guys don’t look there. I managed 26.3 miles today in the Stearns. By far furthest I’ve ever driven it. I’m going to try to hit 50 miles in one trip before the snow flies.

 

Steve,  you need to get yours going, so we can have a contest to see who can drive further. Let me put it this way, 25 miles in a J8-90 Stearns is probably the same as driving 100 miles in a model J Duesenberg.

Edited October 29, 2023 by alsancle (see edit history)

[pughs]

I haven't been spending much time on the Stearns but I will try to be more disciplined through the winter and maybe I can get it running by spring.

[alsancle]

39 minutes ago, pughs said:

I haven't been spending much time on the Stearns but I will try to be more disciplined through the winter and maybe I can get it running by spring.

You need to focus. You’re in for a real treat!

[West Peterson]

On 10/27/2023 at 2:45 PM, alsancle said:

Thanks guys. I’m gonna try to drive it a solid 50 miles tomorrow. Would like to get more driving in before winter comes.

 

Did the negative camber to the front wheels happen after you put the hood ornament on?

[alsancle]

14 minutes ago, West Peterson said:

 

Did the negative camber to the front wheels happen after you put the hood ornament on?

Funny you should mention that. I did notice the handling improved after I took the 25 pound hood ornament off.