The Ford Barn

FL&WVMIKE · 07-13-2010, 05:59 PM

Who knows the story on this Southern California AAA License plate topper ?
It says, "GOOD ROADS".
It is of very good quality, being made of stainless and copper.
Thank you,
MIKE

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

John Butts in CT · 07-13-2010, 09:23 PM

The "good roads" movement was championed by the League of American Wheelmen during the bicycle craze of the 1880's. When the automobile arrived, the campaign was taken up by the AAA. Check out http:www.aaaexchange.com/main/Default.asp?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=4&ContentID =95

I expect that your topper predates WWI.

Ron in Quincy · 07-13-2010, 09:56 PM

I had one like yours, someone from Southern Calif. purchased from me at the Turlock Meet this last January. I believe he had a car from the teens ?

5window · 07-13-2010, 10:37 PM

There are at least 5 of them on Ebay right now, so maybe they're being reproduced?

Hey,"Mike" I painted houses in Spencer,WV one summer while looking for a place to buy-eventually ended up in Ritchie Co. About 1974.

HoarseWhisperer · 07-14-2010, 08:14 AM

Canada had the same early efforts for "good roads".

AAA (American Automobile Association) and CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) are now affiliated.

In the early 1900's the OML Rad Caps were sold to members of the Ontario Motor League. OML staff would stand by the side of the road to warn those that displayed the identifying cap that there was a speed trap ahead. Apparently, if you didn't have the cap and exceeded the blazing speed of 15 miles per hour, you were not warned and got a ticket.

They later issued OML Radiator badges such as pictured. Each town had it's own. The CAA version came out in 1932 or 33.

I'm always looking for OML "towns" I do not have.

FL&WVMIKE · 07-14-2010, 11:21 AM

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5window ....................
Thanks for your reply. I had a house built in Spencer, WV in 1969. You didn't work for Guy Randolph, did you ? I worked out at KELLWOOD.
I checked E-Bay and those are definately reproductions. The owner knows ! They are simply aluminum one piece castings of an original. There ought to be a law !
MIKE

FL&WVMIKE · 07-14-2010, 11:46 AM

John Butts in Ct. .....................
Thanks for all the information. I had no idea that it might be that old. I could see that it was an old style wheel. I though of it as being from the '20s or '30s.
The AAA link was interesting too ! Earlier, I had posted a picture from the 1907 Glidden tour. You can see it in the "T" Model section, under "OLD FORD PICTURES.......", item #100. I would have posted it again, here, but I have deleted it from my computer.
Thank you,
MIKE

FL&WVMIKE · 07-15-2010, 05:15 PM

John Butts in Ct. ..................................
I found the 1907 Glidden Tour photo. It was taken in Columbania, Ohio in 1907.
MIKE
CLICK ON PHOTO TWICE TO ENLARGE

John Butts in CT · 07-15-2010, 09:05 PM

Thanks for sharing, Mike. Nice image.

Ray in La Mesa · 07-15-2010, 09:23 PM

AAA put out 10 different toppers from 1904 to the 60's. The one you show is from the late 40's into the 50's. This is from a commemorative ashtray I have put out by AAA with images of the different styles.

FL&WVMIKE · 07-16-2010, 11:45 AM

Ray in La Mesa ....................
If it is from the 1940's or 1950's, that explaines it being stainless steel. I'm not sure that stainless was around pre-WWI.
Can you post a photo of your ashtray ?
MIKE

07-13-2010, 09:23 PM	#2
John Butts in CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Posts: 464	Re: Aaa license topper The "good roads" movement was championed by the League of American Wheelmen during the bicycle craze of the 1880's. When the automobile arrived, the campaign was taken up by the AAA. Check out http:www.aaaexchange.com/main/Default.asp?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=4&ContentID =95 I expect that your topper predates WWI. Last edited by John Butts in CT; 07-13-2010 at 09:23 PM. Reason: badlink

07-13-2010, 09:56 PM	#3
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Aaa license topper I had one like yours, someone from Southern Calif. purchased from me at the Turlock Meet this last January. I believe he had a car from the teens ?

07-13-2010, 10:37 PM	#4
5window Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewisburg,PA Posts: 938	Re: Aaa license topper There are at least 5 of them on Ebay right now, so maybe they're being reproduced? Hey,"Mike" I painted houses in Spencer,WV one summer while looking for a place to buy-eventually ended up in Ritchie Co. About 1974.

07-14-2010, 08:14 AM	#5
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Aaa license topper Canada had the same early efforts for "good roads". AAA (American Automobile Association) and CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) are now affiliated. In the early 1900's the OML Rad Caps were sold to members of the Ontario Motor League. OML staff would stand by the side of the road to warn those that displayed the identifying cap that there was a speed trap ahead. Apparently, if you didn't have the cap and exceeded the blazing speed of 15 miles per hour, you were not warned and got a ticket. They later issued OML Radiator badges such as pictured. Each town had it's own. The CAA version came out in 1932 or 33. I'm always looking for OML "towns" I do not have. __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

07-14-2010, 11:21 AM	#6
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Aaa license topper Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 5window .................... Thanks for your reply. I had a house built in Spencer, WV in 1969. You didn't work for Guy Randolph, did you ? I worked out at KELLWOOD. I checked E-Bay and those are definately reproductions. The owner knows ! They are simply aluminum one piece castings of an original. There ought to be a law ! MIKE Last edited by FL&WVMIKE; 07-14-2010 at 04:57 PM.

07-14-2010, 11:46 AM	#7
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Aaa license topper John Butts in Ct. ..................... Thanks for all the information. I had no idea that it might be that old. I could see that it was an old style wheel. I though of it as being from the '20s or '30s. The AAA link was interesting too ! Earlier, I had posted a picture from the 1907 Glidden tour. You can see it in the "T" Model section, under "OLD FORD PICTURES.......", item #100. I would have posted it again, here, but I have deleted it from my computer. Thank you, MIKE

07-15-2010, 09:05 PM	#9
John Butts in CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Posts: 464	Re: Aaa license topper Thanks for sharing, Mike. Nice image.

07-15-2010, 09:23 PM	#10
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,172	Re: Aaa license topper AAA put out 10 different toppers from 1904 to the 60's. The one you show is from the late 40's into the 50's. This is from a commemorative ashtray I have put out by AAA with images of the different styles.

07-16-2010, 11:45 AM	#11
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: Aaa license topper Ray in La Mesa .................... If it is from the 1940's or 1950's, that explaines it being stainless steel. I'm not sure that stainless was around pre-WWI. Can you post a photo of your ashtray ? MIKE