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04-05-2015, 01:44 AM | #1 |
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Greyhound Radiator Caps
What is the real story about these Accessory Greyhound Radiator Caps? The top picture show my Reproduction 1934 Ford Greyhound Radiator Cap, that was made back in the early Seventies by Don Sommer in full Stainless Steel. You will notice that it has a free standing Tail, which I was led to believe was a true copy of the original. Compare the Don Sommer 34 Cap with the reproduction 1932 Ford Greyhound Radiator Cap and you will see that the constructions are vastly different. For added strength the Tail on the 1932 Cap is joined to the Legs. Now this Chrome plated Diecast 1932 Cap was much more economical that the full Stainless Steel variety manufactured by Don Sommer. Observing Accessory Radiator Caps on various 1934 Fords, there seems to be a great lot of varieties? Was the Original made with a free standing tail like the Don Sommer reproduction, or was it joined to the legs? |
04-05-2015, 03:43 AM | #2 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
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Here are some pictures of the different types of Greyhound Caps for the 1934 Fords. You can see that there are variations in this lot. The one illustrated in the bottom photo has a free standing tail. |
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04-05-2015, 05:27 AM | #3 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Hi there, The ONLY AUTHOURISED FORD MOTOR Co. greyhound radiator cap produced during 1934 only for the 1934 Ford passenger cars was made by STANT in Connersville Indiana. It was sold as an accessory only at ford dealers for $2.75 each. That greyhound has the free standing tail. Other companies made greyhound caps for fords back in 1933 to 1936 but were not authorised by ford although many ford dealers sold them. No others except "STANT" at that time had a free standing tail. I don't believe there was ever a 1932 ford greyhound cap made back in those times and that they were only made from the 1960s on as an aftermarket accessory. The other most popular greyhound cap made in 1933 & 1934 was by Franklin die casting co. in Chicago ILL. Its tail was not free standing. Another greyhound cap was made In 1933 and possibly 1934 by Rupert diecasting corp in Kansas City MO. and called "THE MURPHY CAP". These are very rare today. Another rare greyhound cap with a temperature gauge tube in its base was the "orna-meter" made by Central States Mfg. Co. St Lois Mo. The Don Sommer stainless steel 1933 & 1934 ford greyhounds have been made from the late 1960s until the present day. They are a very accurate reproduction of the original STANT dog with a free standing tail and today cost $600.00 each. More recently a brass reproduction of the free standing tail STANT greyhound is being reproduced. Many other zinc diecast greyhounds (1932 to 1936)with fixed tails have been available over the last 40 years but at the moment they have stopped producing them it seems. One could go on forever about Ford greyhound caps but one thing is for sure :- The only authentic Ford listed cap is the one made by "STANT" for the 1934 Ford passenger cars, part number 40-18385. Regards, Kevin.
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04-05-2015, 09:03 AM | #4 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Here are the 34 caps I am reproducing cast from an original. I also have them for 33. $675 each includes insured shipping and new mounting kit. Thank you
831-375-7363 |
04-05-2015, 12:59 PM | #5 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I seem to recall that the original Greyhound Radiator Caps were anatomically correct, having male genitalia for all the world to see.
Reputedly Clara Ford objected, stating that she was not going to ride in a car having to look at the genitals of a dog.. The Greyhounds were quickly neutered...
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04-05-2015, 01:16 PM | #6 | |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
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04-05-2015, 03:47 PM | #7 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Digger, that is a very nice Greyhound that you make. Looks very similar to my Don Sommer full Stainless Steel example, complete with free standing tail. |
04-05-2015, 04:51 PM | #8 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I love it? 'Ya gonna make one for 35-36 pickup?
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04-05-2015, 05:03 PM | #9 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Given that the greyhounds complete with genitals graced the family's Lincolns since the mid-1920s and continued to do so through 1939 kind of puts a dent in that bit of folklore.
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04-05-2015, 05:27 PM | #10 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
DavidG, I agree with you on that score. Just an old wives tale. Can some one show proof that Clara had an issue with the greyhounds. Was it written up in one of the Ford history publications in the past ? Regards, Kevin.
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04-05-2015, 10:07 PM | #11 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Question - Is the Don Sommer Stainless Steel Reproduction an exact copy or very close to the original and only authorized Stant Greyhound Radiator Cap?
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04-05-2015, 10:23 PM | #12 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
IMO the Don Sommer repo is close to the original.The ribs of the Sommer repo are cut in whereas the original are embossed.I bought one of the Sommer SS repos when he first started making them in the mid '70s ($110 at the time) and noticed the detail of the ribs then.
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04-05-2015, 11:35 PM | #13 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I see that Don Sommer is still in the business making Hood Ornaments etc for our old cars. See Link.
http://www.americanarrowcorp.com/ |
04-06-2015, 12:21 AM | #14 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Kevin Koates, I have previously seen, on here as well as else where, Ford Canada literature detailing Genuine Ford approved accessories for 1936 Ford, which clearly shows a greyhound as being available for said model.
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04-06-2015, 01:02 AM | #15 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Brian, In the USA STANT made free standing tail greyhound mascots (not caps) for 35 & 36 Fords. I don't think they were approved by Ford Motor Company and had no Ford part number as did the 1934 Ford greyhound caps. In Canada I believe there was a locally made greyhound for the 36 ford and approved by Ford as it is shown in a Canada brochure but I have never actually seen one of those dogs. One could devote a lot of time and money studying, and collecting Ford greyhounds, and Lincoln dogs as well. Regards, Kevin.
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04-06-2015, 07:32 PM | #16 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Isn't this a greyhound radiator cap on a 1932 ford? Maybe not a ford? But who noticed the radiator cap?
I bought a greyhound cap for my 1933 but don't like it. Makes my car remined me of a vw with rolls grill that were common in the 60's. I think the plain radiator cap is more becoming for a ford. I think you need more car behind the hood element otherwise it looks too much like the VW bug with rolls royce grill. Anybody want to buy mine. |
04-06-2015, 07:53 PM | #17 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
It's a Lincoln, probably a '29 or '30. A greyhound cap or ornament (once the radiator cap was moved to under the hood) by Gorham, the jewelers, was standard equipment on Lincolns from the mid-20s through 1939. A plain cap was optional (very rare however).
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04-06-2015, 08:16 PM | #18 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Are parts hard to get for those Lincolns? I remember looking for an essex terraplane and parts were Non existant, same with Packard. That is the great thing about common Fords they seem to make a lot of the parts and there is a large supple of original parts too.
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04-06-2015, 08:24 PM | #19 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
On that Lincoln cap, notice that the cap itself is entirely different from '32 Ford, standing way up from the flange.
I've got an original '34 with PN and it has the tip of the tail gone, like all others I've seen! It's location and fragility pretty much doom the tip... I agree that plain is better on Fords...they are very well styled in their basic lines and do not benefit from the clutter of accessories. |
04-06-2015, 09:00 PM | #20 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Granted, It is hard to notice that Greyhound Mascot with all those pretty ladies posing with the Lincoln. |
04-06-2015, 09:31 PM | #21 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
As you correctly surmise, the limited production of Lincolns and other expensive makes of period (you could buy ten new Model As for the price of the Lincoln in the photo) equates to parts scarcity.
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04-06-2015, 11:15 PM | #22 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Here is the next batch ready for plating, the 33's with free standing tail came out bad ass...
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04-07-2015, 12:19 AM | #23 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
What a site to behold. These are beautiful works of Art. |
04-07-2015, 12:39 AM | #24 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Outstanding !!
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04-07-2015, 09:29 PM | #25 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I bought a Stainless Steel greyhound back in the 70s which thought was a Don Summers, but it has a fixed tail. I took it apart last night , but found no name on the cap. Did some one else make SS Greyhound ?
Several years ago when I was running my Greyhound I was asked by several people at car shows if my car was Jaguar. |
04-08-2015, 06:50 AM | #26 | |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
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04-08-2015, 11:17 AM | #27 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
The shame of it all.. Touting cars and accessories assisted by a early porn..
"I'm shocked"...
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04-08-2015, 01:21 PM | #28 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
" WHO, WHO LET THE DOGS OUT ?"
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04-08-2015, 04:52 PM | #29 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Wow - Not only are the "dogs" a real collector's item, so is that box. Look at the joints. I notice that one dog has lost a leg? |
04-09-2015, 02:08 PM | #30 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
MERCMAN FROM OZ ........................
Not only has one dog broken his leg, they all are crippled, by one means or another. All except one. I do have one DON SOMNER dog in there. The rest are remnents of a few originials and several non FORD ones. I have some real "heart breakers" in there. I'll show them later. MIKE (mikeburch) |
04-09-2015, 02:21 PM | #31 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I can SEE at least five broken legs in THIS picture alone. DD
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04-09-2015, 04:31 PM | #32 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I should have looked harder, as I can also see 5 missing legs in that group of dogs in that box. As Mike said, it is a heart breaker.
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04-09-2015, 04:48 PM | #33 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I picked up these "junk" greyhounds at Swap Meets, years ago, very cheaply. They are still not worth anything, but were fun to pick up.
In these photos, you can see an original '34 greyhound that was sawed off, to fit a '32, maybe. It's tail and front legs are gone. There is a broken sawed off one made for a '33. There is a broken, free standing tail dog for a '35 and another broken, free standing tail dog for a '36. These were not genuine FORD, but not common. MIKE (mikeburch) Last edited by FL&WVMIKE; 04-10-2015 at 08:26 AM. |
05-23-2015, 06:11 PM | #34 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Mascots
To complicate the Ford Greyhound mascot story I've posted images of a damaged Greyhound that I picked up at a recent New Zealand swap meet.
It appears to be a 'bolt-on' special and has a patent number that is unfortunately part of the damage. Could it be an unauthorized add-on mascot for a 36? What are your views? |
05-23-2015, 06:45 PM | #35 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
It is what it is.
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05-23-2015, 08:15 PM | #36 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
The USPO only has the image of the mechanical drawings for this item available. In looking at the details pay particular attention to Fig. 5 showing the screw. This must have been the first usage of that style of tamper proof screw, an item commonly used today to make washroom stalls vandal proof.
http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=0...iew+first+page Upon further review I see that you can read the text, it is available by clicking on the selections in the left hand column.
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05-23-2015, 08:26 PM | #37 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
JR48, I believe your greyhound mascot is from a Lincoln between 1935 & 1939 approx. It was not on a radiator cap but mounted on top of the painted curved radiator/grille shell. The base of the greyhound varied in design to suite the different shape of the various year model Lincoln grille shells. It was attached from underneath the shell with screws going upwards into the base of the greyhound, but maybe some had screws going right through from the top. The last Lincoln to have an outside radiator filler cap was in 1934 which was also the same for Ford. The Lincoln Zephyr (a lower price car) never was fitted with a greyhound. The Lincoln greyhound first became available in 1926 but it was then possible to order a greyhound for an earlier year car. I guess you could say they were an approved accessory in the 1920s but by around 1930 were a standard fitting. The greyhound was produced by the firm of Gorham of Providence, Rhode Island who were silversmiths. According to Lincoln the greyhound symbolised "fleetness and grace". Regards, Kevin.
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05-23-2015, 08:57 PM | #38 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Well I guess that patent number and drawing shoots my Lincoln theory down. Nice research Fordors. Seems there were many different manufacturers of the ford accessory greyhounds over many years. Regards, Kevin.
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04-18-2016, 08:05 AM | #39 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
This is one of the moto - mascot in a 1934 design and was wondering if they made a 1933 design . I don't have a 34 anymore so needing a 33 for the pheaton . Also any more information on would be appreciated thank you
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04-18-2016, 12:46 PM | #40 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
On a similar not, does anyone know of a source for the greyhound sweaters? I have a friend who requested that we find him one.....???? I really don't want to beg at an assisted living home for someone to knit one.
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04-18-2016, 01:29 PM | #41 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
My '33 caps are sold out, still have about 4 or 5 of the 32's and 34's.
I have put a very small makers mark on all the ones I have made. Thank you 831-375-7363 |
09-26-2016, 03:43 PM | #42 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I just picked up this 34 greyhound. I cannot find another example of a two piece greyhound cap where the dog can come apart from the cap. I recognize that this one is aftermarket... And pretty dang old. Anatomically correct, Art Deco wave base where feet attach.
Anyone else see one of these before? Have an idea of who made it? I don't see any markings under the cap just yet, but when I get home, I'll clean it up a little more and see if I can see anything more.
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02-19-2017, 09:13 PM | #43 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Non Ford approved greyhound radiator caps were available well before 1934. There are at least four I know of from Model A days. There is even what appears to be a Ford factory photo of starlet Dolores Del Rio with the 1929 Model A Sport Coupe, and it is wearing a greyhound cap!
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02-20-2017, 12:20 AM | #44 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Last 2 pics are of a Lincoln Greyhound.1929?
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02-20-2017, 08:55 AM | #45 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Likely pre-1929 judging from the size of the radiator cap. All aftermarket greyhounds are junk in comparison to the Gorham versions used on Lincolns through the last of the big ones in 1939.
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06-10-2019, 11:11 AM | #46 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
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06-10-2019, 11:22 AM | #47 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
There is a Don Sommer Greyhound on EBAY now and auction is ending today .Here is the link.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REALLY-NICE...L/273875079605 Its now way over priced.I'm sure the high bidder doesn't know its a repop. Here is an original listed today. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-19...t/153521017003 |
06-10-2019, 11:33 AM | #48 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Don Sommer
American Arrow Corporation 248-435-6115 |
06-10-2019, 05:32 PM | #49 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I would love one . However I use my car several times a week and at $650 (pushing NZ$1000 by the time I get it here) I would be scared to leave the car parked anywhere .
I think I'll stick with my beaten up repo with the end of the tail gone -Karl
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06-10-2019, 07:35 PM | #50 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I solved the possible theft problem by carrying a regular cap and put it on if my car is out of sight for any length of time.
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06-11-2019, 12:31 PM | #51 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
I have one ‘33 left for sale, next batch of 33-34s will be about 5 months.
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06-11-2019, 04:32 PM | #52 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
The genitalia on a Genuine Ford is longer than the reproductions that I have seen.
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09-21-2021, 10:32 PM | #53 |
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Re: Greyhound Radiator Caps
Anyone know where I can get a freestanding tail greyhound for my 1933 Phaeton?
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