01-20-2019, 07:22 PM | #1 |
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Old cars
I was watching the Barret-Jackson Auctions last night when one of the "expert" commentators said that if you had an old vehicle and expected to make it home at the end of the day, you had to be a mechanic. That is why people "improve" their vehicles by putting in late model drive trains, there much more reliable. To which I might add BS!!
With uninformed people handing out advice like that to other uninformed people, it is no wonder that the old car market is crashing! |
01-20-2019, 07:26 PM | #2 |
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Re: Old cars
amen
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01-20-2019, 07:29 PM | #3 |
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Re: Old cars
Im with ya, total B.S. Im sick of seeing LS engines in cars that should have a flathead.
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01-20-2019, 08:31 PM | #4 |
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Re: Old cars
I guess it was only mechanics that drove from coast to coast in the old days!
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01-20-2019, 08:35 PM | #5 |
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Re: Old cars
The guy that made the comment can't keep his car running
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01-20-2019, 09:34 PM | #6 |
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Re: Old cars
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01-20-2019, 11:04 PM | #7 |
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Re: Old cars
They ran good in the day and if will run good now if maintained proper ..I hate to see smallblock garbage in a antique car..So many 32 33 34 fords ruined by hot rodders,..this should get folks dander up..go on ebay so many hot rods for sale and few original cars.sc,
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01-21-2019, 01:17 AM | #8 |
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Re: Old cars
Our 33 draged our caravan all the way to Ayers rock and back ,no dramas 7000klms
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01-21-2019, 02:07 AM | #9 |
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Re: Old cars
There is some truth in what the guy said, we just don't want to hear it from the likes of him. Anyone who isn't familiar with the mechanics of his vintage car is blind foolish to set out on a trip alone. Besides camaraderie, another reason lots of guys travel in caravan, is to avail themselves of each other's assistance when one of them inevitably breaks down. Back in the day, however, city and country folk alike had more mechanical ability than the average boy toy owner has today, and that assessment includes those with garbage truck engines. Anyone disputing that, please recall those enthusiasts in your acquaintance who keep a set of Taiwan Metric wrenches in their trunks, "just in case".
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01-21-2019, 04:57 AM | #10 |
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Re: Old cars
Sorry but I did not see any of the Auction because I had better things to do, one of which was working on my "old vehicle" to help assure that it would get to where I wanted to go in a safer and more reliable fashion.
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01-21-2019, 09:40 AM | #11 |
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Re: Old cars
51 Merc-Ct hit the nail one the head. Building them, keeping them running and getting there, problems or not are all part of it.
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01-21-2019, 09:52 AM | #12 |
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Re: Old cars
Tried to watch it three times and gave up. Decided it was for people with more money than brains.
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01-21-2019, 10:06 AM | #13 |
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Re: Old cars
Barrett-Jackson is garbage. I haven't watched that s**t show in years. It's all TV hype and fantasy.
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01-21-2019, 10:09 AM | #14 |
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Re: Old cars
I suspect that anyone who puts the megabucks into a new drivetrain could spend a fraction of that and get a very nicely running original car. Problem is they want power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, air conditioning and more comfortable seats. The experience we go for is different than what they want.
I love original cars and have a few. I did see a 1949 Ford with a 302 in it for sale recently. It was restored to stock appearance and really looked nice. One of the few times I was tempted by a car with an updated engine. Last edited by mhsprecher; 01-21-2019 at 09:09 PM. |
01-21-2019, 10:19 AM | #15 |
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Re: Old cars
I watched the B-J auction to see how stock cars were faring. I saw a 1940 Plymouth 4 door that was nicely restored to stock with a "301 " engine. I'm not a mopar fan, but I think they were 201 cid. Very few stock cars other than Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls etc. Mostly a display of how we can destroy a 30's or 40's car with a new, better chrome plated engine.
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01-21-2019, 11:24 AM | #16 |
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Re: Old cars
An "EX" is a connotation for "former" and a "Spert" is a drip under pressure. So much for Experts. The old cars were good enough for Grandpa but they do have some limitations. They will never be a "New" car no matter what you do to change them. If anything, late model running gear will make them more dangerous.
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01-21-2019, 11:45 AM | #17 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
For example this '38 personalized 4dr convertible. https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...E-SEDAN-224705 And the '40 stock Plymouth with the erroneous "301" engine. https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Even...E-SEDAN-224537
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DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES Last edited by 51 MERC-CT; 01-21-2019 at 12:47 PM. |
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01-21-2019, 12:06 PM | #18 |
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Re: Old cars
There are plenty of old timers that don't know the difference between their asses and a screwdriver.
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01-21-2019, 12:26 PM | #19 |
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Re: Old cars
Deove my 32 Ford to Oregon, Mn. & georgia among many other local trips. Believe in Driving them! Great memories ! Kerk
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01-21-2019, 12:54 PM | #20 |
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Re: Old cars
My dad who had NO mechanical skills drove his 1939 Ford 2 door from 1941 to 1949 and never had a break down. I am sure he was not alone among drivers of his time.
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01-21-2019, 02:02 PM | #21 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
I can see this one a few different ways. I agree that really original cars should not be cut up and should be left alone. BUT. Sometimes being hot rodded means the car is being used and driven instead of rusting away. I don't have anything LS powered that didn't come factory that way but I have done fuel injected swaps in a number of cars-but kept it in the same engine family. It is amazing the improvement in drivability and mileage from a fuel injected swap. Almost all of it could be undone with very little trace. I have never been stranded in one of those cars. To me it makes them more fun to drive. Car guys go from purist to custom and mod everything. I think I have ruffled a few feathers at tractor shows with my 2N with a flathead that is very period correct. I try not to get too upset at people even if what they do makes no sense to me-I can at least appreciate the effort. |
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01-21-2019, 02:10 PM | #22 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
I'm not interested in seeing cars that cost more than a modern navy vessel..
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01-21-2019, 10:02 PM | #23 |
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Re: Old cars
Reliability of Older car engines compared to newer car engines is the reason
there used to be 10 times more gas stations in my little town back in the early 60's, and 90 % of them had a mechanic on duty. Today the few gas stations in town have a pizza chef on duty. .
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01-22-2019, 07:50 AM | #24 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
and why - at my age no way in hell I can finance a $50,000 F250. they figure I won't live long enough ta pay for it period. my super deluxe does everything i wish for. Only one thing maybe someday a South Wind heater mine is wimpy, other than that, the car rules its got more power than a Judge and I ain't got no so called modern junk on it either. These people think that putting transistors in a toaster makes it that dreaded 'modern' word. sick puppies |
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01-22-2019, 08:50 AM | #25 |
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Re: Old cars
I agree with Mike.....you can’t judge a “car guy” by his age alone....Mark
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01-23-2019, 03:27 PM | #26 |
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Re: Old cars
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I only got stranded once, about 150 miles from El Paso I stripped the camshaft gear. |
01-23-2019, 04:04 PM | #27 |
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Re: Old cars
I just had a conversation with a fellow that made a trip to California after graduating high school in 1969--He drove his 1950 Ford with a 6 cylinder engine--He said he bought a case of 40 wt oil for the journey--On the return he had to restock and used a total of 42 quarts for the trip--This guy keeps records of everything he has ever spent money on so I am sure of the count--
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01-23-2019, 04:54 PM | #28 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
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01-23-2019, 07:04 PM | #29 |
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Re: Old cars
Gotta say the older vehicles R fun. Most of us who have and play with them don't consider it anything but fun. Truth be known Flatty's require more TLC than the dreaded small block. I had a stock 1957 Chev Nomad when I was 16. 283 Power Glide with 80,000 when I bought it. If it wasn't for the brain dead friend, not a mechanic nor was I at the time, telling me the way to make it lay rubber and go really fast was to rev it up in neutral and pull into low. Well it limped home and down the steep hill that was our driveway on what ever was left of the tranny. My Dad was very unhappy to say the least reminded me we were moving in two weeks and said, "IF THAT DAMN CAR DOESN'T MAKE IT UP THAT DRIVE ON IT'S OWN POWER IT GOES WITH THE HOUSE". Well long story short it was the beginning of me becoming a mechanic and eventually a mechanical Engineer. Changed the Power Glide to a 3 speed after befriending & started becoming a motor head myself. Great guys all chipped in junked 3 speed, bell housing, clutch set up all free and helped get it running and up the drive in two weeks to the old mans amazement.
I had that old Nomad till I was 35 and never did another thing to it except change the oil, lube it & flush the coolant for 19 yrs. I thought it got too valuable to keep and needed the money for young family stuff and thought I did great selling it in 1985 for $7500. If u know anything about a stock Nomad's value today ur probably laughing. So I have a soft spot for the old 265, 283 and 327 SB Chevy engines and never criticize them. Love my Flatty but she did't come into my life until I was 63. Having said that IMO Barret-Jackson bidder have more money than brains with the prices they give! http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album....ictureid=31213
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Nomad Last edited by AnthonyG; 01-23-2019 at 07:15 PM. |
01-23-2019, 07:13 PM | #30 |
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Re: Old cars
I think the problem is that, unless you do a complete "nut and bolt" restoration on a car, there are still going to be a lot of marginal parts in an old car that, while they look good, can fail. Face it, most of these cars we have have been used and abused for hundreds of thousands of mile. My '51, on the other hand was a one owner car with 61,000 well maintained original miles. It was purchased new by two batchelor brothers who farmed in western Minnesota and used it as their "Sunday go to church car". All the folks I have talked to (including several relatives of the original owners and the grandson of the guy who sold them the car) confirmed the fact that the guys brought the car back to the dealership for service on the Ford defined schedule. When I went through the car when I got it, I replaced the usual maintenance items (including the brakes and wheel bearings), but that was it. That was in 1987, and the car never failed me in 30 years and 30,000 miles (including a trip from the twin cities to Chicago without missing a beat. I replaced the engine a couple of years ago, but it was still running well, but down on power. I believe that if in top condition overall, these cars can be very reliable.
As an aside, in the sixties, I had a '52 Ford of unknown heritage that was constantly breaking down. It was completely worn out when I got it and it showed. |
01-23-2019, 08:39 PM | #31 |
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Re: Old cars
Not sure if restoring vehicles are on the decline? What makes it so? I don't know... maybe so.
Old cars came from the factory with a tool kit, because they knew eventually you would be working on it. It was just nuts and bolts then too, no computers. New cars don't even come with spare tires now. The thought process has changed. A 10yr old car is a heap today. Made to be replaced. In the 30-40s it was considered a major investment and you fixed it and ran it for many years. It's still a major investment, but we don't fix it. Guess maybe it's just not worth it to figure out things. Or people can't handle trying to work on something and maybe failing the first time. It's not that hard. Don't know.... In the 1910s most cars had drivers who were also a "engineer" that oiled things while they were in a meetings. I listen to sports announcers and I marvel at how they can keep talking for 3hrs and actually say anything worth while. Might be the same... filling space. . Last edited by Tinker; 01-23-2019 at 09:18 PM. |
01-24-2019, 12:10 AM | #32 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
Karl
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01-24-2019, 12:20 AM | #33 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
I too drive my cars as much as I can. I have driven my 34 Ford 1500 miles to a rally and back. In 2 weeks time I will drive it 200 miles to an Art Deco event .People are amazed that I drive it such distances., But I have also spent a lot of time (and money) ensuring that mechanically it is up to speed
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Such a fine sight to see-Its a Girl, My Lord, in a Flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me. |
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01-24-2019, 08:40 PM | #34 | |
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Re: Old cars
Quote:
That is an opinion. Hard to say for me, since I've never had to announce. I tend to be a bit more quiet, most of the time.... Last edited by Tinker; 01-24-2019 at 08:46 PM. |
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01-25-2019, 04:36 PM | #35 |
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Re: Old cars
I watch that Black 32, 3 window coupe that went for 110,000. It was not stock. Those people sure are loose with there money. Wish I live next to one. I would sell him a few cars everyday or so.
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01-25-2019, 07:36 PM | #36 |
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Re: Old cars
We are only "caretakers" of our stock vehicles and when we are gone these vehicles we own are likely to be over 100 years old or getting close to it. If they survive, the flathead engines are likely to be about as foreign to their future owners as Curved Dash Olds motors are to us and future owners who want to drive them will update them with modern running gear to make them more practicable for the times they will will be living in. Those that keep them stock will be the "buffs" that dabble in "Brass era" stuff today and other stockers will just languish in museums as "static" objects of art. So I suppose in a way it is better than the car dying like we will, but this will not happen to my car on my "watch".
GB
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01-25-2019, 09:44 PM | #37 |
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Re: Old cars
Just saw a 8ba flathead with a blower and beer can stacks... Culture is changing, Not in the right direction.
I agree I'm just a caretaker. When I'm out of this world, I don't car so much. It's for the next generation to f' it up. and my vehicles are not that nice... . |
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