Vintage Car Thread - Discussion and Parts Requests

[Stearmen]

All right, it's official, I want one! It's a 1930 Mail Delivery Coupe. It was for sale on a certain internet auction place. It was almost up to $100,000 when this was posted, don't know what the final price was. Since it was home made, Model T rear end, tractor wheels and tires, modified fenders, this is some thing, (between all my friends and my own skills,) I could build! If I can ever get my garage situation sorted out. Kicked the Caddy out, now there is room for six of these!

 

[Big Man]

All right, it's official, I want one! It's a 1930 Mail Delivery Coupe. It was for sale on a certain internet auction place. It was almost up to $100,000 when this was posted, don't know what the final price was. Since it was home made, Model T rear end, tractor wheels and tires, modified fenders, this is some thing, (between all my friends and my own skills,) I could build! If I can ever get my garage situation sorted out. Kicked the Caddy out, now there is room for six of these!

As a rule, I don't like vehicles like this (old or modern). However, in some strange way and for some unexplained reason, I really like this "thing."

 

[LizzieMaine]

The Maine woods up the County used to be full of contraptions like that -- Model As were very popular for use as skidders right up into the eighties and nineties. There might still be some running up there to this day.

The best part about that one is that it's a *convertible.* I'd like to see some of our modern weenie mailmen who couldn't go out in the last blizzard in one of those.

 

[jamespowers]

The Maine woods up the County used to be full of contraptions like that -- Model As were very popular for use as skidders right up into the eighties and nineties. There might still be some running up there to this day.

The best part about that one is that it's a *convertible.* I'd like to see some of our modern weenie mailmen who couldn't go out in the last blizzard in one of those.

I might even pay money to see a mailman using one of those.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Reminds me of the work of George Ventress, an old friend now dead. He had a little mechanic's shop and welding shop in the country. During WW2 he built 22 tractors out of old junked cars and trucks.

To build a car like that, you would start with a Model A 2 door sedan or coupe. Replace the rear axle with one from a truck ( lower gearing) . On the front you would need to adapt some truck rims.

For tires he had lots of WW2 surplus aircraft tires (after the war of course). The fenders would have to come off some heavy car like a Cadillac or Packard of the early thirties.

Easy to do if you had access to a 1940s junk yard and war surplus outlet, but still possible with parts from auto flea markets and Ebay.

Or you could buy an SUV.

 

[Big Man]

Someone took the photo I posted the other day of my '48 Plymouth sitting at the crossing as the circus train passed and Photoshopped it to this. I thought it was just way too cool not to share it here.

 

[dh66]

Someone took the photo I posted the other day of my '48 Plymouth sitting at the crossing as the circus train passed and Photoshopped it to this. I thought it was just way too cool not to share it here.

Yes.....way cool.
I hope you got a copy to frame and hang in the parlor.

 

[Stearmen]

Reminds me of the work of George Ventress, an old friend now dead. He had a little mechanic's shop and welding shop in the country. During WW2 he built 22 tractors out of old junked cars and trucks.

To build a car like that, you would start with a Model A 2 door sedan or coupe. Replace the rear axle with one from a truck ( lower gearing) . On the front you would need to adapt some truck rims.

For tires he had lots of WW2 surplus aircraft tires (after the war of course). The fenders would have to come off some heavy car like a Cadillac or Packard of the early thirties.

Easy to do if you had access to a 1940s junk yard and war surplus outlet, but still possible with parts from auto flea markets and Ebay.

Or you could buy an SUV.

You had me right up to the OR.

 

[Stearmen]

I found a great article on it!http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/car-of-the-week/car-week-1930-ford-model

 

[Big Man]

Here's an old photo that I have a question about. This is my Mother holding her baby sister. The photo was taken in 1940. Can anyone tell me anything about the school bus in the background? Make, model, year? I always thought it was an interesting looking school bus.

 

[1930artdeco]

It looks like a Chevy to me. But then again it could be a Mack, White, or International. Back then they ordered a truck chassis with just the hood and A pillar. So another shop made the 'bus' portion.

Mike

 

[Stanley Doble]

My guess would be 1937 International chassis with body by a commercial body company.

 

[jamespowers]

My guess would be 1937 International chassis with body by a commercial body company.

You are probably right. With that front end and those fenders, it looks like an International of the 30s.

 

[1mach1]

That is an International for sure.

 

[Big Man]

That is an International for sure.

What about the year? Are you satisfied with 1937? I know for sure the photo was taken in 1940, and the bus looks like it's seen more than three years of use. Of course, in 1940 there were very few paved roads in McDowell County. So it might have been old before its time.

I like the "parking brake" they are using (big rock).

 

[1mach1]

What about the year? Are you satisfied with 1937? I know for sure the photo was taken in 1940, and the bus looks like it's seen more than three years of use. Of course, in 1940 there were very few paved roads in McDowell County. So it might have been old before its time.

I like the "parking brake" they are using (big rock).

The bus does look like it has been in service for a while, but that may just be because it's dirty, and the photo's exposure. It's either a '37 or '38.

 

[Christopher Scoggins]

I've been window shopping lately, and I really don't know much about cars. I saw a few old cars that looked good, but I'd figure I'd ask the experts before even considering to buy a vintage car. Is $6000 a good price for a '62 Chevy Corvair? How 'bout for a '50 Chrysler Windsor? A quick Wikipedia reading reveals that they were both inexpensive cars in their heyday. If I were to seriously consider buying either of those cars, what should I look for? Finally, what are the benefits of driving older cars like those compared to modern cars?

 

[Stanley Doble]

I have owned both the 1961 Corvair and 1949 and 1951 Chrysler. You could hardly pick 2 cars that are more different.

Corvair was Chevrolet's lowest priced offering, one of the first "compact" cars. They were a unique design best left to the specialist or Corvair fanatic.

In 1950 the Chrysler Windsor was considered next to a luxury car. It sold in the upper medium price bracket with Buick, Packard, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Hudson and similar cars.

It was Chrysler's basic model but it was far from austere. Chrysler cars were known for excellent engineering and build quality, outstanding durability and long economical service life. They were also exceptionally roomy and comfortable. As the president of Chrysler put it, they won't knock your eye out but they won't knock your hat off either. Performance best described as adequate.

The Chrysler would be a better choice than the Corvair although neither would be my first choice for a novice. However if you like fedoras and double breasted suits you would be right at home in a 1950 Chrysler. If you are on the large side the Chrysler compares to the biggest new cars, the way a limousine compares to a Hyundai.

As for what it is worth you should be able to buy an awfully nice car for $6000 either Corvair or Chrysler. They are not the most desirable or highest priced collector cars. The Chrysler especially offers a lot of car for the money. And has the advantage that parts are readily available and not expensive plus the cars are durable and do not have a lot of complicated power accessories.

 

[Stearmen]

One other thing, try to buy the best car you can afford! A few bucks saved up front could cost you hundreds down the line! Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[1mach1]

One other thing, try to buy the best car you can afford! A few bucks saved up front could cost you hundreds down the line! Don't ask me how I know this.

A nugget of wisdom!