Vintage Cars

[jeep44]

My '41 Dodge truck ran very briefly tonight for the first time in maybe 20 years or more. A very encouraging step forward in my long-delayed efforts to bring it back from a derelict hulk. Hopefully, by the end of the summer, I will be driving it around. Can't beat those 230 flatheads!

 

[Wild Root]

Well Jeep, that's great news! I know I'm always excited to hear an old motor come to life even if it is for just a moment!

Even though these things are objects, I feel they do have a soul of some sort... I know my '46 sure dose! She's a sweet heart but, some times she needs a little “pep talk” when I'd like her to start! lol

=WR=

 

[jeep44]

I was just spraying starting fluid in the carb while cranking the starter -that's why it only ran briefly.Now that I know it will run, I can move on to other areas-like completing the exhaust sytem, piping in the fuel line,and putting on the brake lines. There is a LOT to do to this truck. When I got it, it had basically been abandoned for around 20 years,and it had been sitting outside. Squirrels had chewed up all the wires,and stuffed the interior,and the exhaust pipe full of acorns. The valves were rusted into the valve guides,and the manifolds were a rusted mess also. I've been accumulating new parts over the past few years for it-until I got another good windshield frame (veeeerrry difficult and expensive to find now),I didn't want to get too far into it. I really expect this truck is going to be my pickup truck for all the times I need to haul stuff here and there.

 

[magneto]

Appreciation

Just want to say I love this thread and seeing everyone's gorgeous automobiles! Myself, I've only owned a circa-1963 vehicle (which I did drive every day & on many long roadtrips) but at least I have never driven a car younger than I am

 

[Hannigan Reilly]

I am on the hunt for an affordable late 30's or 40's auto that has not been street-rodded and painted a hideous color. Any tips on good sites that list them?

 

[The Reno Kid]

I got my '39 Ford

I am on the hunt for an affordable late 30's or 40's auto that has not been street-rodded and painted a hideous color. Any tips on good sites that list them?

...off of ebay, believe it or not. I bought it about four years ago and was very pleased with both the transaction and the car. It was a fair price and a good car. It needs a little work, but it runs like a dream and looks good. I had it out on the road yesterday.

There's also Hemmings (http://www.hemmings.com/). Their web site has all the listings that appear in their print magazine, but the web listings are a few weeks behind the print version.

One of my favorite sites is Pre-War Car (http://www.prewarcar.com/). They have a lot of listings as well as some good articles. The prices here tend to be a bit higher, but that's because most of the cars are premium specimens. They are often being sold off by museums.

The nice thing about ebay is that for cars that aren't as much in demand, the prices tend to stay quite a bit lower than in straight classified listings. And if you're willing to wait and watch, you will eventually see exactly the car you want. If you do go the ebay route, you should probably use an escrow service.

 

[The Reno Kid]

One more thing

If you have a pretty good idea of what kind of car you're interested in. join a club. Most good-sized metro areas (and a lot of smaller areas) will have general interest old car clubs. Where you really do well though, is with a specialized group. Often, the members will be able to help you find cars and parts that don't necessarily appear "on the market." They are also a wonderful source of information. Join the national club for the make you're interested in (such as the "Early Ford V8 Club" in my case). Even if there is no formal local chapter, there may be members in the area that meet informally. A friend of mine is a Packard guy and he finds a lot of stuff through his club friends.

 

[Hannigan Reilly]

Excellent advice and tips. Many Thanks!

 

[Powerhouse]

39 snapshot #1

Here is a photo of myself with The Powerhouse Express in front of my mother's house in 1939.

 

[Wild Root]

Oooooh, nice shot! I see that you've been to the NY Word's Fair!:eusa_clap

=WR=

 

[Twitch]

Hannigan- check out

http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/ for all sorts of cars from stock to miodified and

http://www.countryclassiccars.com for a large selection also.

Where are you? Check for apecialty auto swap meets in your area.

Hey Wild Root, are you still needing to paint your 46?

 

[Wild Root]

Yes... but, I can't spend a whole lot of dough. Know of a place that will strip her all the way down to bare and fix the cancer?

=WR=

 

[Powerhouse]

Sure... My step-brother is a VW restoration specialist. He does great work. I think he is just a bit far for you though.

 

[Wild Root]

Mmmmm, could be! I talked to a guy here in town and he told me of a place right here really close to work that does good work, I'm yet to go over there and show them my car. I was told that these guys are very reasonable so, lets hope I can get my car done this year!

=WR=

 

[LeFonque]

Personally I have a thing about Vintage Harley's. I have a 1950 panhead.

 

[Irena]

I have a question, and this thread seems to have plenty of knowledgeable people following it.

I'd like to learn about the workings of vintage automobiles, in preparation for someday getting one of my own. I plan to do all the maintainence myself, and since I'll be stuck in bed for the first part of the summer (hip remodeling) I'm going to need something to occupy my time. Any suggestions for books and/or websites? Thank you!

 

[Wild Root]

There are lost of books! Also, check out P-15/D-24... it's a MoPar web site of guys who fix and restore 1946-1949 Plymouth and Dodge autos... I've learned a lot from those guys! Also, try and run a search on the subject, you'll find lots of stuff!

=WR=

I like vintage motor bikes too, tell me about your Harley!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Now that its ended.....

I can finally post this...

This would be my dream garage of cars...


http://cgi.ebay.com/1937-BUICK-VINT...4639882489QQcategoryZ6737QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


alas....I have neither that amount of money, nor storage for that many cars...but they are truely drool worthy and rare.

 

[Wild Root]

Oh dear, I'm sure you could have posted that auction before it ended... any member here who could bid on this would have my complete respect! $55,000. is a drop in the bucket for three perfect cars such as these!!! That's why they didn't sell, I'm sure the man had at least 100,000. on it if not more... A fleet of cars such as these is truly an amazing thing!!! I hope a museum ends up with them or something... hate to see these cars end up in the wrong hands!!!

If I had a million dollars, I know just what I'd do, I'd buy these cars!

=WR=

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Oh dear, I'm sure you could have posted that auction before it ended... any member here who could bid on this would have my complete respect! $55,000. is a drop in the bucket for three perfect cars such as these!!! That's why they didn't sell, I'm sure the man had at least 100,000. on it if not more... A fleet of cars such as these is truly an amazing thing!!! I hope a museum ends up with them or something... hate to see these cars end up in the wrong hands!!!

If I had a million dollars, I know just what I'd do, I'd buy these cars!

=WR=

Just the hearse alone is worth double the price.....paneled hearses didn't last and are super rare now.....

yea...even if i had 100k.....I would bid....