Vintage Cars

[David Conwill]

That would be a really fun challenge: build what is effectively a 30s hotrod with period parts.

That’s already what I’m up to with my Model T project. Everything will be ‘30s-vintage or older (though some parts will be reproductions or what I call “period plausible”) with a stylistic date to 1933-’34. The Chevrolet would be a follow-on to that. I was given the mechanical parts of a 1936 Chevrolet Standard some time ago, including the original six-cylinder which was locked up from sitting. I had initially envisioned building something like a domestic version of an MG F-Type Magna but it was going to be tough to use the 207-cu.in. six-cylinder because it’s sort of an orphan wedged between the Chevrolet four-cylinder of the ‘20s and the 216-cu.in. six that came out for 1937.

I’ve long had a 1928 Chevrolet four-cylinder, though, and my Hollander’s interchange manual says it will bolt up to the transmission from the ’36 Chevy standard. That means I’ve got axles, hydraulic brakes, a nice set of Artillery wheels, a synchromesh three-speed and an engine with an actual performance heritage that could easily combine into some kind of speedster/special. There’s even some provenance for this, as a group of garagemen from Hyannis, Massachusetts, entered a ’32 Chevrolet special in the 1935 Cape Cod Grand Prix.

I also recently learned that the VSCCA has promulgated rules allowing period-correct but newly built specials to compete alongside vintage race cars, though nobody has yet submitted a car for approval.

 

[GHT]

Edward,thanks for the brief recent Irish history, having been educated in a British catholic school run by the Vincentian Fathers, believe you me, we were taught Irish history, chapter and verse. I took Wiki's date deliberately, knowing that those less knowledgeable than yourself might check and concur. What the Vincentian Fathers didn't tell us was the dominance of the Vatican into most of European lives, the corrupt state of the Vatican and how the Pope could declare someone a heretic, which would put a death sentence over them and ultimately led to Martin Luther and the reformation. Enough said, too close to politics.

You for to mention The Lanchester, meet Peggy, our friend's 1948 model.

 

[2jakes]

That’s already what I’m up to with my Model T project. Everything will be ‘30s-vintage or older (though some parts will be reproductions or what I call “period plausible”) with a stylistic date to 1933-’34. The Chevrolet would be a follow-on to that. I was given the mechanical parts of a 1936 Chevrolet Standard some time ago, including the original six-cylinder which was locked up from sitting. I had initially envisioned building something like a domestic version of an MG F-Type Magna but it was going to be tough to use the 207-cu.in. six-cylinder because it’s sort of an orphan wedged between the Chevrolet four-cylinder of the ‘20s and the 216-cu.in. six that came out for 1937.

I’ve long had a 1928 Chevrolet four-cylinder, though, and my Hollander’s interchange manual says it will bolt up to the transmission from the ’36 Chevy standard. That means I’ve got axles, hydraulic brakes, a nice set of Artillery wheels, a synchromesh three-speed and an engine with an actual performance heritage that could easily combine into some kind of speedster/special. There’s even some provenance for this, as a group of garagemen from Hyannis, Massachusetts, entered a ’32 Chevrolet special in the 1935 Cape Cod Grand Prix.

View attachment 158313

I also recently learned that the VSCCA has promulgated rules allowing period-correct but newly built specials to compete alongside vintage race cars, though nobody has yet submitted a car for approval.

where do you plan on driving your model T?

 

[David Conwill]

where do you plan on driving your model T?

Everywhere! It should have 40 to 50 hp, plus a Ruckstell and accessory brakes, so it will be quite competent.

 

[vitanola]

Everywhere! It should have 40 to 50 hp, plus a Ruckstell and accessory brakes, so it will be quite competent.

Heck, I drive my stock flivvers practically everyehere, save on limited access highways. When that awful (-27 degrees F) cold snap hit at the end of Janary the fuel in our diesel trucks gelled, the power steering pump in my pickup froze up (water on the fluid) and the transmission failed in one of my worker's cars. I got the Ford Coupé up and running so that I could get in to town to buy Diesel 911.

 

[2jakes]

Heck, I drive my stock flivvers practically everyehere, save on limited access highways. When that awful (-27 degrees F) cold snap hit at the end of Janary the fuel in our diesel trucks gelled, the power steering pump in my pickup froze up (water on the fluid) and the transmission failed in one of my worker's cars. I got the Ford Coupé up and running so that I could get in to town to buy Diesel 911.

I'm fortunate that we still have back roads that take me to other towns without traveling fast and weather is mild most time, except for summer heat.9
I do this when I'm not pressed for time.
Rarely go on highways.

I admire your love for flvvers. I don't
have the patience or knowledge like you.

Can't wait to see your Hups!

 

[2jakes]

A Hup model 32 equipped with a "cowcatcher" in front?....

 

[GHT]

A Hup model 32 equipped with a "cowcatcher" in front?....
View attachment 158843

No cow catcher on this little car, but now I know, after all these years, where Austin found inspiration for frog eye headlights:

 

[scottyrocks]

No cow catcher on this little car, but now I know, after all these years, where Austin found inspiration for frog eye headlights:
View attachment 158850

Ah, the Frogeye! I must have one of those one day.

The Sprite was originally supposed to have pop-up headlights, but expense dictated otherwise, resulting in the iconic 'frogeye.'

 

[vitanola]

A Hup model 32 equipped with a "cowcatcher" in front?....
View attachment 158843

The Hupp 32 is a darned nice car. Bulletproof 40HP four cylinder engine, and the the world's first all steel bodies.

 

[GHT]

The Huppmobile was new to me, so I looked it up. The 32 and other models prior to that, all seem to have right hand drive. Later models like this early 1930's Model J, are all left hand drive. There's no explanation that I can find, anyone know anything more? Have to say that the model J is a beauty, I just love it's appeal, and that fabulous front bumper, oh wow! Then again, the guy's attire, is enviable too. And just look at how the ladies dressed back then.

 

[2jakes]

The Huppmobile was new to me, so I looked it up. The 32 and other models prior to that, all seem to have right hand drive. Later models like this early 1930's Model J, are all left hand drive. There's no explanation that I can find, anyone know anything more? Have to say that the model J is a beauty, I just love it's appeal, and that fabulous front bumper, oh wow! Then again, the guy's attire, is enviable too. And just look at how the ladies dressed back then.
View attachment 158972

If anybody knows it would be vitanola

 

[vitanola]

Well, most American cars were right hand drive until the 'Teens, even though we hew to the left hand side of the road. Ford's Model T, which was set up as left hand drive due to the practical advantagesaof left hand drive when overtaking other machines, was by the mid-teens such a dominant force in the industry that all other makers eventually followed suit.

 

[scottyrocks]

Speaking of vintage cars, my bug is now up on homemade stands, being prepped for engine removal.

 

[GHT]

Speaking of vintage cars, my bug is now up on homemade stands, being prepped for engine removal.

Do keep a photographic diary of the restoration. Here for you are some of the items from "Jessica's" diary.

My young Godson suggested that I write a blog about our MG adventures, maybe I will but I've heard so many tales of thefts by those who have gleaned knowledge of their victims simply by what has been put up on line. So for now it remains a written journal.
The photo that you saw in the What Hat thread was that of a display stand for the journal, made by a very talented fellow. The leg of the stand comes apart for transporting and for security. When erected it stands between the front bumper and the radiator grille. Just to stop anyone walking off with it. The journal rests on the stand and is secured by a link chain and padlock.

In the journal are lots of stories about the car, but I've kept it from being boring, it's not all MG, and as children seem to love it, it's a format I keep to. Here's a few of the front page photos the car has appeared in.
The MG car club of Germany took a shine to this reproduced black and white sepia photo and put it on the front page of their monthly magazine:

A brave lady that we know had a double mastectomy, she and friends decided to do a risque calendar with Jessica as the star:

If you Google: Poole Goes Vintage 2018, you will see this shot of Jessica promoting the event. https://www.bournemouth.com/poole-goes-vintage/

Likewise, Google: Watkin Art, adding co.uk in case there are others. Richard Watkin has captured Jessica a number of times. The best picture is in the 'Commissions' file. https://www.watkinart.co.uk/collections/coming-soon/products/mgy-commission

That should be enough to keep you going. Later I will put up some photos of the shirt that my wife Tina made. The MG octagon buttons that are made out of lapel pins. The MG cuff links, Jessica appearing on the front page of a couple of classic car shows, and, and, and. I can't remember it all, I will look up her adventures in her diary and share a few more.

 

[2jakes]

Do keep a photographic diary of the restoration. Here for you are some of the items from "Jessica's" diary.
View attachment 159216
My young Godson suggested that I write a blog about our MG adventures, maybe I will but I've heard so many tales of thefts by those who have gleaned knowledge of their victims simply by what has been put up on line. So for now it remains a written journal.
The photo that you saw in the What Hat thread was that of a display stand for the journal, made by a very talented fellow. The leg of the stand comes apart for transporting and for security. When erected it stands between the front bumper and the radiator grille. Just to stop anyone walking off with it. The journal rests on the stand and is secured by a link chain and padlock.
View attachment 159217
In the journal are lots of stories about the car, but I've kept it from being boring, it's not all MG, and as children seem to love it, it's a format I keep to. Here's a few of the front page photos the car has appeared in.
The MG car club of Germany took a shine to this reproduced black and white sepia photo and put it on the front page of their monthly magazine:
View attachment 159218
A brave lady that we know had a double mastectomy, she and friends decided to do a risque calendar with Jessica as the star:
View attachment 159219
If you Google: Poole Goes Vintage 2018, you will see this shot of Jessica promoting the event. https://www.bournemouth.com/poole-goes-vintage/
View attachment 159220
Likewise, Google: Watkin Art, adding co.uk in case there are others. Richard Watkin has captured Jessica a number of times. The best picture is in the 'Commissions' file. https://www.watkinart.co.uk/collections/coming-soon/products/mgy-commission
View attachment 159222
That should be enough to keep you going. Later I will put up some photos of the shirt that my wife Tina made. The MG octagon buttons that are made out of lapel pins. The MG cuff links, Jessica appearing on the front page of a couple of classic car shows, and, and, and. I can't remember it all, I will look up her adventures in her diary and share a few more.

"Labor of Love"
Excellent!

 

[scottyrocks]

Do keep a photographic diary of the restoration. Here for you are some of the items from "Jessica's" diary.
View attachment 159216
My young Godson suggested that I write a blog about our MG adventures, maybe I will but I've heard so many tales of thefts by those who have gleaned knowledge of their victims simply by what has been put up on line. So for now it remains a written journal.
The photo that you saw in the What Hat thread was that of a display stand for the journal, made by a very talented fellow. The leg of the stand comes apart for transporting and for security. When erected it stands between the front bumper and the radiator grille. Just to stop anyone walking off with it. The journal rests on the stand and is secured by a link chain and padlock.
View attachment 159217
In the journal are lots of stories about the car, but I've kept it from being boring, it's not all MG, and as children seem to love it, it's a format I keep to. Here's a few of the front page photos the car has appeared in.
The MG car club of Germany took a shine to this reproduced black and white sepia photo and put it on the front page of their monthly magazine:
View attachment 159218
A brave lady that we know had a double mastectomy, she and friends decided to do a risque calendar with Jessica as the star:
View attachment 159219
If you Google: Poole Goes Vintage 2018, you will see this shot of Jessica promoting the event. https://www.bournemouth.com/poole-goes-vintage/
View attachment 159220
Likewise, Google: Watkin Art, adding co.uk in case there are others. Richard Watkin has captured Jessica a number of times. The best picture is in the 'Commissions' file. https://www.watkinart.co.uk/collections/coming-soon/products/mgy-commission
View attachment 159222
That should be enough to keep you going. Later I will put up some photos of the shirt that my wife Tina made. The MG octagon buttons that are made out of lapel pins. The MG cuff links, Jessica appearing on the front page of a couple of classic car shows, and, and, and. I can't remember it all, I will look up her adventures in her diary and share a few more.

That's fantastic stuff. Looking forward to seeing and reading more.

 

[GHT]

Richard Watkin is a professional artist, he lives in the Dorset town of Wimborne, here's his depiction of his home town along with a certain car. The caption is off his website:
"What's the Story? - As we live in Wimborne it was vital that Richard did a painting of our hometown. As an artist he wanted to paint the Minster again but in a different light. Richard couldn't wait to use his photos of the MGY he had spotted in a local car park."

The car has often been photographed and then the photo, in turn, has been an artists inspiration. Here's a couple of examples:

Some photos seem brilliant and yet get consigned to the waste bin. The Three Belles are a singing and harmonising girl band inspired by The Andrews Sisters. Their management team were looking for a 'vintage' shot to use on a cover of their new CD. I love this photo, but it was rejected because there wasn't enough of the car's image.

There has been so many different photo calls that I can't remember the purpose of them all. This one for instance, deliberately in black and white, a superb shot, but for the life of me, I can't remember for what.

We are lucky to live close to Beaulieu and even luckier to be chosen to grace the front page of their 2015 brochure:

This photo, where the model was wearing various wedding outfits, taken beside a picturesque 15th Century church, was never used. You can see the skill of the photographer, and the young lady too. She was asked to look pensive, I thought that they had both got it just right.

This is another shot that wound up on the cutting room floor. Rejected for being too close, but it still has pride of place in her diary.

There's still more to come, the shirt, the buttons, the cufflinks, enjoy these for now.

 

[GHT]

Sorry about the last photo of me. I was going to put up various pics of the MG shirt, but I'm a bit busy right now, be patient and I'll do so in a day or two.

 

[scottyrocks]

No rush.