Mark's Model A Service...Still in business?????

[Synchro909]

I know laws differ between countries but I had trouble with a motor wrecker associated with an insurance company one time when they collected my wrecked car but after several weeks, hadn't paid for it. I rang and told them that I was about to report it stolen and that their truck was seen picking it up. I said that the police would check their yard and when they found whatever remained of MY car, they would be charged with theft, handling stolen goods and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The cheque arrived two days later.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I know laws differ between countries but I had trouble with a motor wrecker associated with an insurance company one time when they collected my wrecked car but after several weeks, hadn't paid for it. I rang and told them that I was about to report it stolen and that their truck was seen picking it up. I said that the police would check their yard and when they found whatever remained of MY car, they would be charged with theft, handling stolen goods and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The cheque arrived two days later.

“Hard Ball”

There comes a time when you have to play that way.

It is sad that some people put others in that position.

Good luck!

[JKY]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Quite possibly it’s time to get law enforcement involved. Call the responsible police department. Wayne.

Not a police matter. This is civil. I thought you were some law professor in a past life.

[Ordsgt]

Depends on the state statues. Not returning the item you sent could be considered a larceny. Not so sure use of US mail could be mail fraud. Bottom line speak to an attorney in your state to determine

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

I just picked up Vic Zannis's book on engine rebuilding. Went to look him up and found out he died in 2018. I've been in this hobby for four years and I've personally known more people who have died than in the whole rest of my life.

I think that is true for all of us.

I was acquainted with Edwin Battison, now passed, who was an interesting person and historian of machine tools both at the Smithsonian and his "American Precision Museum" here in Windsor, VT.

He was a friend, no doubt - and helped me in my interest MANY times. And me likewise, I hope.

On his turning 90 he opined that "It's hard to be 90 since so many people I have known have passed on before me."

"Yes" my wife said. "It must be depressing. How do you cope?"

He says "Its easy - I go out and make NEW friends. I think I'm getting better with practice."

Seemed like a very reasonable outlook.

https://www.battisonmuseum.org/edwin-battison


Joe K

[Joe K]

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I went through a few "Mark-Packs" in my earlier Model A life.


Joe K

[Marshall V. Daut]

"I went through a few "Mark-Packs" in my earlier Model A life."
Is that anything like a "Rick-Pack"? Only guys, who have been in this hobby for 40+ years, will get THAT one!
Marshall

[Benson]

Rick Packs yes. Rick Freeman??

One guy in high school called them Prick Packs !

60 years owner here.

And 70 plus years since I was a passenger ... riding in the Tudor from Manitowoc, across Lake Michigan to Flint, Mich.

My brother (two years older) always called "shot gun" except on certain days.

The Tudor had a leaky roof over the driver and "shot gun" rider.

During rainy times he let me ride "shot gun" and I got to hold the newspaper over the drivers head!

[Marshall V. Daut]

"One guy in high school called them Prick packs !"
Ha, ha, ha! PERFECT!!! That says it all: "Prick-Packs full of parts that don't fit or work". I wonder how many years Rick's set Model A restoring behind with his crap parts and laughable "restoration" guide? I learned the hard and expensive way that this particular vendor should be studiously avoided. I had scrimped and saved and did without for months in order to afford a large parts order from his company - only to find out most parts wouldn't fit or be made to fit because the quality was SOOOOOOOOOO horrible. $1500+ wasted on unusable Model A parts in 1978. Convert that to today's money and you'll see how big of a financial hardship that was for me. Even Taiwan would have blushed at the poor quality! I d*mned-near gave up the Model A hobby in frustration trying to make his parts fit. I thought it was my fault and blamed myself until I started talking to other local Model A owners, who experienced the same garbage. He finally went out of business and as I understand it, skipped town with a passel of lawsuits and lawyers not far behind. But history repeats itself. A certain unnamed company on the southeast coast of our country seems to have picked up Rick's banner and business scruples/ethics and run with them for a few years before they, too, gave up the ghost figuratively speaking. 'Nuff said...
Newcomers to the Model A hobby in the last 20 years don't know how good they have it these days with the quality vendors at their fingertips compared to 30-40 years ago.
Marshall, poorer and sadder, but wiser (maybe)

[Jeff/Illinois]

I remember Rick's well. I started in the hobby in '71 had the interest long before that. But in 1971 Rick's was THE go-to guy over JC Whitney for Model A parts.

Seemed like a lot of his stuff was coming out of Argentina at the time as I recall.

Reverse engineered, no where near factory Ford print specs Out right dangerous parts! A buddy came across one of his ignition coils just this month and he asked me 'What do you think?' and without hesitation I told him 'I think BWM Waste Management out on Knoxville Road will have room for it!!'

[Joe K]

Yes, it may have been a "Rick-Pack."

I specifically remember the "Water Pump" rebuild kit.

Most everything was "normal" - or at least fit. But the gland nut (brass or zinc on Model years with the slots for spanner wrench) in the pack was turned from a piece of carbon steel rod-stock. Very thin at the shoulder with the slots, but otherwise would "function."

And probably rust solid to the shaft.

I decided to re-use my old brass nut even though buggered up by vise-grips/pipe-wrench.

I still have Rick's "Restoration Manual" around here somewhere.

Joe K

[Big hammer]

I will take the 5th amendment! But again in 1970 where to buy parts was so limited and no internet! Ricks , JC Whitney, Macs later , my nos parts guy died soon after.

[Benson]

Don't forget Warshawsky.

[Jeff/Illinois]

I think them and JC Whitney shared the same building, had different street addresses.