Driving season is coming soon (I hope)

[Kube]

Finally, after restoring trailer queens for what, maybe forty years? - I finally have one of my bucket list cars that's a "driver".
The temps are slowly moving up around here. Now, a few good rains to clear the nine zillion pounds of salt off the road and I should be able to go for a cruise.
I'm willing to bet I'm not alone in this desire.
So, when the weather and roads allow, what are you guys taking out first?

[51504bat]

Here in SoCal everyday that it doesn't rain is a driving day, sorry. Rain however is predicted in the next coming days so my daily driver '39 pickup is in the upstairs garage. Hopefully in the coming months the '54 Ranch Wagon will be far enough along to move out of the lower shop for a maiden test drive. Enjoy your drive at least until the mosquitos hatch.

[farmertom]

here in iowa we have lost a lot of snow,and its been in the 40s 50s and yesterday was 61 or a little better. boy its been so cold in the garage all winter as it is not heated. i just started gettin the 37 fordor ready to go. like you say as soon as we get a couple good rains. more sand and salt this winter than previous. when i was still riding motor cycles it was usually in middle of march back out there. its gonna be close this year. tom

[RalphG]

I like to joke that all year is driving season for the 52 Merc. I just don't go out on days when its too cold, or raining, or if the road is muddy. And of course I won't get within a couple miles of road salt. One perfect day last week I got out.

[big job]

cold or snow sand and salt Its called spray the thing with fuel oil .

[FortyNiner]

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The F-1 will likely get the nod under the guise of doing important, manly work that requires a proper truck. And perhaps baked goods.

[50fordcoupeman]

I only have one old car-the avatar! Roads are mostly bare and dry lately. Snow in the valleys is gone and the elk are starting to move back into the hills but still have 15 ft in the mountains. Good place for it! Better days just around the corner. Yahooooooo!!

[JayChicago]

I'm with you. Rare early spring weather here. I'm out to the garage today to finish up installing a rebuilt distributor and plug wires in the '37 hot rod. If all is well, will take it out for a test drive today.

Weather is to return to the normal March cold and rain/snow, so car will go back into hibernation for another month. But hoping to have one day of fun today! Yippee!

Kube, can you show us more of what you got for a driver?

[shoe box Jack]

cant wait to complain about the dandelions . Jack

[Merc Cruzer]

Took mine out yesterday for a run. Ran beautifully, only makes it harder to wait for the real Spring. Took my wifes 70' Cougar XR-7 out on Sunday and put about 50 miles on it. Snow starting Friday through Monday, we should get around 20" give or take. The nice thing, is that it is Colorado, and it will be gone shortly thereafter. It won't be long now.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by JayChicago

Kube, can you show us more of what you got for a driver?

This is a picture that was posted last year after Kube put NOS springs in it, along with some slightly oversize 6.50 X 16 (I believe) tires. Beautiful little roadster! DD

[JayChicago]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Beautiful little roadster! D D

Yes. She sure is pretty. Those wheels and tires look "right" on a sporty roadster.

Beautiful weather here today. Got my car out. Started and ran great. Distributor set up right. (Thank you, Michael)

Now more bad weather coming. Back into the garage for another month of hibernation. Ugh.

[Steve Staysko]

It was so nice on the weekend that I pulled my 34 out of the garage just to clean it up!

[mercman from oz]

Lovely 1934 Ford Deluxe Roadster. Very nice indeed.

[flatford8]

Went for a ride in the daily driver to have lunch at the beach. My half mile dirt road is to muddy to get the ‘50 out yet. Saw this gassing up in Lower Village Kennebunk. Talked to the owner and he has a ‘36 Fordor, a Model A and a later Convertible. It was a nice day here today.....Mark

[McMimmcs]

I never understood why people built or owned “ Trailer Queens “. I have some very prestigious cars but if I couldn’t drive and enjoy them, I’d sell them.

[2935ford]

We won't be seeing any road time for awhile yet here!

[Tinker]

March 9th in Northern Minnesota. Tempted today at 65. But snow next week. lake usually doesn't open till april. But running the old ford in snow sounds good too. Think most of the salt is washed off, mud can be washed off too this time of year. Guess I'm just being lazy or not wanting to have salt everywhere.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

I never understood why people built or owned “ Trailer Queens “. I have some very prestigious cars but if I couldn’t drive and enjoy them, I’d sell them.

The process of building such a vehicle is very rewarding to me. Each one is a "test" of my own abilities.
The research required to "get it right" is also fun for me.
In a way, it is akin to restoring a piece of history.

The amount of effort (read: time, ability and yes, money) required to build an actual #1 car may be the very reasons there are very few "true" #1 cars.

Does my explanation help you in your understanding?

[GB SISSON]

Kube, while I have never even come close to building a show car, I truly understand testing one's abilities and working on something that presents numerous mental and physical challenges. My cabinet and furniture making day job, while interesting enough does not stretch me to the limits the way my truck hobby does. I can lay awake for 3 hours in the middle of the night designing a hydraulic clutch mechanism or any number of systems in my home-made contraptions. I know most of you get this, we just challenge ourselves differently. I never miss those 3 hours. I'm fine the next day and I have a solid plan.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by Tinker

March 9th in Northern Minnesota. Tempted today at 65. But snow next week. lake usually doesn't open till april. But running the old ford in snow sounds good too. Think most of the salt is washed off, mud can be washed off too this time of year. Guess I'm just being lazy or not wanting to have salt everywhere.

I lived in New England for seven 'formative automobile years'. Age 14 to age 21. Everything I could afford was rusty. Snapped off so many bolts. No torch, no shop. Pop riveted aluminum sheet rocker panels onto cars even used formica scraps. When the pop rivets wouldn't hold, a fender washer back there was essential. Now that I returned to my home state 45 years ago I would NEVER drive any of my beloved fords anywhere near salt. I live on an island but it's way different. Sometimes salt spray washes on the main road at high tide in a SE wind and to the dismay of all others in the vehicle, I turn around and take the long way around. Once salt gets into a folded seam, it's good night Irene.

[David J]

Not time yet but this will be the one again this summer .

[dan35]

waiting for clean roads to take out my 35 3 window

[Bored&Stroked]

I've already had my 32 Cabriolet out twice in the last few weeks. Once when it was about 40 degrees out and two nights ago when it was 60 degrees. Was so nice to be back in my old Ford - listening to the music of my uncorked headers! LOL

[pistonbroke]

Back to driving something fun, Patty and I are taking the 46 Cadillac out for a drive to the next town ,about 30 mile away this evening for a dinner date. We had the snow, we had the rain and now however briefly we have the sun in Olympia. Mr. Sisson . That video of your old red 46 got me through the winter. Thank you,Tim

[pistonbroke]

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oops!

[Ken/Alabama]

Supposed to be 80 degrees here tomorrow. One good thing is we never have salt on the roads not even in the cold weather. Drive my 40s year round.

[Hal Beatty]

Had my '40 out this afternoon, just a quick 20 mile run to check things after winter maint.
First time it's run since last November...

[Straightpipes]

I run around locally most all year with my 34 pickup. Why not. They drove them before they had anything else. Of course, I don't know what # it is but I do carry concrete blocks and fence posts in it. I have a very nice 34 sedan parked for the winter.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by Straightpipes

I run around locally most all year with my 34 pickup. Why not. They drove them before they had anything else. Of course, I don't know what # it is but I do carry concrete blocks and fence posts in it. I have a very nice 34 sedan parked for the winter.

If I had a 34 pickup I'd keep it garaged up in the winter and drive my 34 coupe in the salt. Just sayin'... some folks like some stuff better 'n others.

[Tinker]

All the snow was gone 2 days ago here. Salt was almost washed of the roads. A fresh snow and more on monday. Well they are not speading salt now this late in the winter, so maybe. Once that stuff gets round the chassis it's impossible to get rid of. Typical march stuff. A little snow this late is great for the farm fields.



.

[jrvariel48]

I drive mine all year long as long as it's not raining and there's no salt on the road.

[Jeff/Illinois]

NW Illinois we hit 70 two days in a row. 15" of snow and ice we got in February is now all gone.

BUT roads still a mess here. We only got .2 inches of rain Wed. nite not near enough to wash the roads off, so I will be waiting a little more yet. You can still see the white salt residue on the roads.

Cold next week high's of 40 lows upper 20's. IDOT will be out pouring tons of salt on the roads again they like the OT and they want to boost their pensions. If there is a slight frost they are out in droves.

Kube NICE Roadster love it Mercman love your '34 also!!!!! Sharp cars.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

NW Illinois we hit 70 two days in a row. 15" of snow and ice we got in February is now all gone.

BUT roads still a mess here. We only got .2 inches of rain Wed. nite not near enough to wash the roads off, so I will be waiting a little more yet. You can still see the white salt residue on the roads.

Cold next week high's of 40 lows upper 20's. IDOT will be out pouring tons of salt on the roads again they like the OT and they want to boost their pensions. If there is a slight frost they are out in droves.

Kube NICE Roadster love it Mercman love your '34 also!!!!! Sharp cars.

Hey Jeff, We live fairly close to each other. Around here it seems as if once the salt has been washed off the streets (from 2020/21 season) there is snow in the forecast - 2021/22 season.

I don't think it is humanly possible to put down any more salt than is typically done.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Tinker

All the snow was gone 2 days ago here. Salt was almost washed of the roads. A fresh snow and more on monday. Well they are not speading salt now this late in the winter, so maybe. Once that stuff gets round the chassis it's impossible to get rid of. Typical march stuff. A little snow this late is great for the farm fields.



.

I was taught at any early age to wait until I see worms on the street... then a guy knows the salt is gone.

[johndee138]

[ATTACH]458180[/ATTACH
This beauty is waiting for me to get her out of the garage in Maine, Prolly won't happen till May at the earliest

[Merc Cruzer]

I guess this means I won't be taking her out this weekend. I live in Conifer, Colorado

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by johndee138

[ATTACH]458180[/ATTACH
This beauty is waiting for me to get her out of the garage in Maine, Prolly won't happen till May at the earliest

Ooh, Oooh......Is that a Packard grill I'm seeing there? I like those side panel spears, too! DD

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Kube

Hey Jeff, We live fairly close to each other. Around here it seems as if once the salt has been washed off the streets (from 2020/21 season) there is snow in the forecast - 2021/22 season.

I don't think it is humanly possible to put down any more salt than is typically done.

Man ya gots dat right!! And after they go nuts throwing salt around the news people come on all worried-looking like, and tell you 'They are running out of salt there is a shortage' trying to frighten the masses I guess.

We live just south of the Quad Cities (Moline-Rock Island-Davenport) and when we'd get a 4-6 inch snow you guys up your way were getting 12-15 inch snows. The big snows track west to east along the Illinois/Wisconsin border area it seems!! Tornado watches were out Wed. nite they stayed over in Iowa and angled up into Minnesota.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

I guess this means I won't be taking her out this weekend. I live in Conifer, Colorado

YIKES

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Kube

I was taught at any early age to wait until I see worms on the street... then a guy knows the salt is gone.

That is good advice, earthworms don't like salt just like snails. I'll remember that one. I usually gauge it by a real hard rain or two.

[johndee138]

V8COOPMAN you have a sharp eye! Yes the grille is a 46-7 Packard, 40 Chev headlight pods, 34-5 Chev Master deluxe hood sides worked into Ford donor panels. The trims are 35 Ford hood stainless cut and trimmed to fit. The hood ornament is an aftermarket piece that turned up on Ebay
I have the stock front clip should I ever want to head back that way. The metal work on the front, as well as the rear fender rust repair and the trunk returned from a rumble conversion performed by a previous owner was done by the talented fellows at Metal Union Speed Shop here in Atlanta.
Skirts got the matching hood trim treatment as well
458212

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by johndee138

V8COOPMAN you have a sharp eye! Yes the grille is a 46-7 Packard, 40 Chev headlight pods, 34-5 Chev Master deluxe hood sides worked into Ford donor panels. The trims are 35 Ford hood stainless cut and trimmed to fit. The hood ornament is an aftermarket piece that turned up on Ebay
I have the stock front clip should I ever want to head back that way. The metal work on the front, as well as the rear fender rust repair and the trunk returned from a rumble conversion performed by a previous owner was done by the talented fellows at Metal Union Speed Shop here in Atlanta.
Skirts got the matching hood trim treatment as well
458212

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by johndee138

V8COOPMAN you have a sharp eye! Yes the grille is a 46-7 Packard, 40 Chev headlight pods, 34-5 Chev Master deluxe hood sides worked into Ford donor panels. The trims are 35 Ford hood stainless cut and trimmed to fit. The hood ornament is an aftermarket piece that turned up on Ebay
I have the stock front clip should I ever want to head back that way. The metal work on the front, as well as the rear fender rust repair and the trunk returned from a rumble conversion performed by a previous owner was done by the talented fellows at Metal Union Speed Shop here in Atlanta.
Skirts got the matching hood trim treatment as well
458212

Mon Dieu! Where have you been hiding this thing? The thought and ideas that have gone into THIS car.....just SO FINE! Frankly, I've never seen a Packard grill of that late vintage used on one of these, In fact, the usual piece is a '36-ish LaSalle grill. But damned if this isn't a 'fresh' idea, and it WORKS! Beautiful car there, Sir! DD

[Tinker]

3w to boot. I know I push stock a lot, but I appreciate a good old mod' when done well. Fine line between clean and kitch.


Thanks Kube, I'll keep my eye out for the worms, quite interesting observation. I also just wait for a couple good hard rains.

[johndee138]

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Thank you fellow Barners! My intention was to replicate a late 40's early 50's custom, sort of a Harry Westergard style. There are numerous instances of Packard grilles being used. They are often mounted too low and appear awkward IMO. My iteration will have a fresh French mill, thanks to Mr Driskell at 3rd Gen, installed by me by the end of the summer. A T150 RTS trans and a Columbia 2 speed. There are numerous other period mods to follow the post war custom esthetic while improving the whole driving experience.
Big fun on the horizon. It's been a long slog but TOTALLY worth it to me!

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by johndee138

Thank you fellow Barners! My intention was to replicate a late 40's early 50's custom, sort of a Harry Westergard style. There are numerous instances of Packard grilles being used. They are often mounted too low and appear awkward IMO. My iteration will have a fresh French mill, thanks to Mr Driskell at 3rd Gen, installed by me by the end of the summer. A T150 RTS trans and a Columbia 2 speed. There are numerous other period mods to follow the post war custom esthetic while improving the whole driving experience.
Big fun on the horizon. It's been a long slog but TOTALLY worth it to me!

Nothing wrong with a stock 36 grill! hahahaha .... seriously. cool project, have fun!!!


Probably one of my favorite 36s, the Pierson 36 3w. Like it before the red grill and wheels also. Guess they moved on to another car after making this one amazing. The 36 has a nice look without the chop also with a little style.
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