World's Fair in Dallas

[ajohn]

My father,long ago,told me he went to the Word's Fair in Dallas in 1936,I think he said.He also said Ford had a display with two mechanics in white coveralls with the blue Ford oval were onstage with a new flathead V8 engine running.They shut off the engine,drained the liquids,and disassembled it and laid the parts out on a blanket.Then they reassembled the engine and ran it again.Another pair of mechanics would come on stage when it was their shift and do the same thing.Has anyone else heard of this? James

[Django]

I didn't even know there was a WF in '36. Was there any Ford literature or trinkets produced like in '33/34?

[Frank Miller]

Carpenter is reproducing the gearshift knobs they handed out for the Eastern National Meet. They commemorate the 100th anniversary of Texas's independence from Mexico.

[Terry,OH]

your father was correct, this was one of the Ford demos.
There were many souveniors from the anniversary expo, including gear shift knobs with the lone star in the center. This was not the only expo that Ford attended in 36, Cleveland was another

[nelsb01]

The 1936 show was called the Texas Centennial Celebration and was not a so called Worlds Fair. It celebrated Texas 1836 - 1936. The Cleveland event was called the Great Lakes Exhibition, and also not a Worlds Fair.

[Django]

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Ah, that would be the reason I never heard of it!

[Barnsmith]

San Diego Cal also has a Worlds Fair although they called it an Exposition. The California Pacific Exposition ran 1935 thru 1936. They had a Ford building there where they show cased the modern factory processes of the day. One could purchase shift knobs, peddles, tire gauges that commerorated the event, additionally the Firestone Co.vendors were in the bldg producing a vulcanized rubber humpback car for the kids.

Bob

[TJ]

The Ford building for the 1935 exposition in San Diego still stands. It is in Balboa Park and now houses an aviation museum.

[Barnsmith]

I believe it is the last of the the Ford buildings from the fairs still standing. The next time you folks visit San Diego, be sure to stop by the Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. This is where we meet for the Early Ford V8 Club too.

Bob

[karma2m]

I'm a Texas Centennial (1936) collector & husband is a hard core Ford guy. I'm going to be selling 2 original Ford items from the Texas Centennial, since our goal is to pay off credit card debt. I love my collection, but some pieces have to go.....

One is the rubber Ford/Firestone car in blue with its original box. The other I believe is original to the Centennial- it's a Ford gear shift knob in brown, with the center in red containing a star with "Ford" & "Dallas" and the years 1836- 1936. I have no idea if this has been repainted, but it's VERY unusual. In the many years I've collected Centennial items, I've only seen 3 gear shift knobs.

Karen in Texas

PS- Husband is working on a 1956 F100 currently- I love the style!

[LukeDahlinger]

Originally Posted by Barnsmith

I believe it is the last of the the Ford buildings from the fairs still standing. The next time you folks visit San Diego, be sure to stop by the Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. This is where we meet for the Early Ford V8 Club too.

Bob

The San Diego Air & Space Museum has a great write up on the building as well as a very nice book about the building. I have one and recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this sort of history.

Here's the link for anyone interested...
http://vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com...a-pacific.html

[Brendan]

i googled it ther is some cool stuf about it

[Brendan]

i would like to get a repop 36 gearshift knob for my pickup!

[nelsb01]

Well, attend one of the 2 National Meets that are scheduled for 2011 (Eastern July 11-14 Sarasota Springs NY, Central Aug 24-29 Auburn IN).
The reproduction knobs will be for sale there.
OR--- if there are any left -- they should be for sale after the meets in the V-8 Club's magazine -- The V-8 TIMES.

Find further information at www.earlyfordv8.org

[36tbird]

Just called Carpenter's to ask about the Texas Centennial gear shift knob. No such animal. Said they had one for 1934 but that would not be centennial. If anyone can shed more light on if these are being offered and where, would like to know. Thanks, Lou

[Pat/Ohio]

As Bruce stated, The replica gear shift knobs will be available at the Early Ford V-8 Club's National Meets this year. Left over knobs will probably be available through the V-8 Times and the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum in Auburn. I have the ad from Dennis Carpenter in my hands at this time. Dennis has graciously donated these knobs for the meets. These are handsome looking knobs as illustrated in the ad. More information should be forthcoming after the knobs are available. I might be able to post a picture of the ad, but only after I have been granted permission from the "powers that be!" Stay tuned! Pat

[Carl]

You guys are talking about 2 different gear shift knobs, those sold by The Early V-8 Club and ones given away at the Ford exhibit(by Ford) at the 1936 Texas Centenial Dallas State Fair. Karen apparently has one and I've seen a couple in my time.

[Bruce_MO]

Check out Lorin Sorenson's book, "The Ford Shows". It has lots of photos from the Texas Centennial

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Brendan

i would like to get a repop 36 gearshift knob for my pickup!

Brendan, I'm signed up to attend both EFV8C/A national meets in 2011. If you would like me to pick up a '36 shift knob for you, just let me know.

[Brendan]

Yes, i would love one i think that would be kool!
thanks John

[sbdivemaster]

Hi,

I'm hoping this thread is still active.

I recently came across some Ford shift knobs while going through my deceased uncle's belongings. Just about the only info I have found is this thread; I'm hoping someone can tell me more about them and/or what they might be worth.

They sound like what Terry, OH described:

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

There were many souveniors from the anniversary expo, including gear shift knobs with the lone star in the center. This was not the only expo that Ford attended in 36, Cleveland was another

Description: Ford gear shift knob in brown bakelite, with silver medallion containing a star with "Ford" & "Dallas" and the years 1836- 1936.

Picture:


Any help will be much appreciated!

[nelsb01]

sbdivemaster;
You have an original. As for it's worth, the Texas and Great Lakes are rather rare, and can easily be mid 3 digits on e-bay. I would suggest you hang on to the great piece of family history. It truly is a collectible.
As for the history, I would GOOGLE 1936 Texas Centennial -- there is a lot of information out there.

[sbdivemaster]

nelsb01,

Thank you for the reply and the information. I did do a little research based on your suggestion. Whoa! People are really into the 1936 Centennial collectibles.

I actually have two of these; the one in the photo is in very good condition The second one, has some minor cracking near the silver medallion. I can get some pictures posted if you would like to see.

I am not a collector of Ford or 1936 Centennial memorabilia, and I am trying to cover some expenses from my uncle's death. Would you be interested in purchasing these?

Thanks.

[JM 35 Sedan]

advertise them here in the 4sale Swap Meet section, in the EFV8C/A Classifieds, and maybe on ebay as well. You must make it well known that these are originals. I see some original gear shift knobs going for some pretty good $$'s on ebay.

[sbdivemaster]

OK I posted an ad in the Swap Meet section:

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32490

[Pat/Ohio]

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'Barners,

This is the Dallas gear shift knob being offered at the Eastern & Central Nationals meets this summer. It is being graciously donated by Dennis Carpenter. I can only speak for the Central Meet, but all proceeds from the sale of the knobs will benefit the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum. There should be knobs left over and available from the Foundation Museum.

[sbdivemaster]

I sold the second shift knob, with the cracks; I have posted an ad in the Swap Meet section for the one that is in VG-Excellent condition:

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32490

[Stretch Cab]

I know this is a stretch and opening a very old post but thought I would give it a try. I have a 36 Fordor Deluxe that has been in the family for about 50 years. It came with an original 1936 Texas Centennial gear shift knob.

I wonder if the book by: Lorin Sorenson, "The Ford Shows" would show any of the Ford cars on display, assuming there where some. I hate to buy the book if there aren't cars shown. Just wondering if anyone might have the book or know of its content.
Thanks

[petehoovie]

Yes, in Chapter 6 - 1936 Texas Centennial Celebration - of that book, several pictures of 1936 Ford cars displayed plus the 'mechanics in white coveralls' the OP described. Buy the book, you'll enjoy it....

[V8COOPMAN]

Our very original '37 coupe has one of those early shift knobs on it, installed by the original owner who passed-away in '99. I was able to purchase the car in 2001.

[Stretch Cab]

Thanks so much, I will add it to my list.

[Terry,OH]

As mentioned above the Early Ford Foundation in Auburn also had some of the reproduction knobs for sale. Contact them if interested. Anyone have a 1936 Great Lakes Exposition, Cleveland, shift knob? I would love to see a photo!