Category Archives: Americana

Let’s detail the 1937 Ford

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The last weekend offered temperatures in excess of seventy degrees, something that is unheard of in Late March in this part of the country. Needless to say it would be a felony to leave an open car in the garage under such circumstances…not to mention the fact that the open car in question is a super cool flathead powered 1937 Ford Cabriolet!

Anyway, the car got some miles on it and the only problem I encountered was to wipe that stupid grin off my face but the weekend is over and it is time to look over this beauty. I need to detail it, do a service and check general tune of the car so it’s ready for action this summer season.

1937 Ford Cabriolet art deco nose

How can you NOT like this Art Deco style?

1937 Ford Cabriolet clean rear

Daum…this thing is clean in every corner. I am not a big fan of blue dots but they will stay for now.

1937 Ford Cabriolet headlight

Love this! OK, I am getting a little too excited now. Let’s get back to work.

I am sure you have seen those ads for some snake oil miracle paint rejuvenator or some other auto detail product: They usually have a slightly faded but super straight rust free 1967 Camaro Z-28 or a 1970 Hemi Charger they just found in a barn and all it need is a detail. Yeah right??
If and when I find a Hemi Charger in a barn it would be rusted up to the door handles, the engine replaced with a stuck slant six and the interior would have been eaten alive by various animals who made it their home (and toilet!)  Sure, that will BUFF out !

Anyway, THIS car is actually like that snake oil car. It just need a proper detail and it should really make for a nice 1937 Cabriolet. The reason for this is of course the fact that it was completely restored and not driven much since then. That kinda helps!!
1937 Ford Cabriolet up in the air

Well, let’s get this thing jacked up…so to speak. After removing the rolling stock I get a chance to see the suspension properly and I can only confirm that everything seems to be in great shape.

1937 Ford Cabriolet clean suspension

The wheel wells also looks very nice and clean. All brackets have been cad plated and all rubber seems fresh. I can’t complain.The fenders have a rubberized coating under them to protect them from “tned”. That is “dent” backwards. That is what you get when a rock leaves the tire at high speed and makes a dent from the inside. Dent but backwords = tned. Now you know…

 

1937 Ford Cabriolet brakes

After removing the drums I discovered new brake shoes and hydraulics so there was nothing for me to other check adjustment. My work is done here.
1937 Ford Cabriolet banjo wheel

When did you last time polished between the spokes??
1937 Ford Cabriolet license plate

A swap meet visit yielded this vintage license frame for $15.00. It will help dress up the restored 1937 WA plate. I think I need to make a backing plate for this as well since it sits on top of the post with the backside exposed.

1937 Ford Cabriolet tires

I plan to add wide white walls to this car but the tire I want is on back order so I have to roll on these black walls for now. That will not be a problem as the Pirelli piecrust tires are in great shape. Kinda cool, actually…

More later…

 

Vintage Vehicle License Plates

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Just like most things even license plates were nicer in the “old days” Plates were replaced every year and it keep the prison population busy with work. Just like cars back then each year offered a different look or color.

1930WAplate

In these days of globalization and standardization even license plates are becoming a boring commodity with every year looking the same. Luckily for us vintage car and motorcycle enthusiasts Washington state has a YOM (Year of Manufacture) program that allows you to register your collector car for life with a YOM plate. You only need one plate and that itself is a blessing as many vintage cars looks their best without a distracting plate in the nose. Also, sometimes you can only find one plate.

HOT ROD PLATE

The first job is to locate a plate of the same year as your car. Your car needs to have a current registration in order to apply the YOM plate. If you don’t have your car currently registered all you have to do is pay for one year of registration. You will also pay a one time fee for the YOM plate addition. It is usually the same fee as a vanity plate. Once registered with the YOM plate you never have to pay for plates or license again. You are somewhat restricted as to how much you can drive the car as this program is not designed for daily drivers.  You can use the vehicle for pleasure driving, to and from car shows and test drives etc. It is not a good idea to abuse this as politicians are always keen on looking for new ways to milk our automobile fleet in order to fund new pet project.

OLD PLATE

I look forward to install this beauty on our Project 1937 Ford:

plate

BTW: “C” stands for Spokane County. Not only will collector plates save you money in the long run, the plate itself makes your vintage vehicle look…you know…vintage.

N.W. Vintage Racing Pictures, part I

In a former life I was in the antiques business and I purchased a box full of old 8X10 black & white photos from the racing action on Aurora Speedway in Washington state. Some of these photos were taken before the war ended and I think they have a significant historic value.

Aurora Speedway Program

As you can see by the program above, Bob Murray’s Dog house was a proud sponsor and also a popular watering hole where drivers and fans would gather to talk about racing.

The Playland Amusement Park on 132nd and Aurora in Washington State hosted the  Aurora Speedway. Before, during and after the war people was looking for entertainment. With cars making folks more mobile than ever before it seems natural to jump in the car with the family and head to Playland.

WA Midget racing program

In the bottom of the above mentioned box I also found these original sign up sheets.

Take a look at the names in this drivers list. Shorty Templeman, Mel Anthony and Homer Norman among others. Mel Anthony is a legend of his own and still lives here in the North West. He is turning 90 years young this year and he still races!

 

Stay tuned for a more in on the racing action and of course lots of cool pictures from the racing action.

 

The evolution of a hot rod

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As I was looking through my digital photo album I ran across some older pictures of your Humble Editors 1932 Ford five window coupe.

I have not done a ton of things to this car but it is amazing how the look and feel of a hot rod can change with rather simple modification. As a hot rod can be an extension of your personality so it is important to make it the way you like it.

Here is how it looked at one point:

1932 Ford rear

 Fenders made from ’36 Ford spare tire covers in the front, home made in the rear.

Olds motor in 1932 Ford

 1956 Olds power plant.

 1932 Ford Five Window Coupe

OK, those slicks has to go and so does the drag race “high in the nose” look.

 

1932 Ford Five Window Coupe Firestone 2

Dropped original heavy axle and Firestones pie crust tireas changes the car completely.

 1932 Ford Five Window Coupe no lettering

Loosing those silly numbers on the side certainly helped to clean up the car.

At this point I started to like the car but something was still missing…

1932 Ford 5 window hood

 Aha! A hood! Yup, that added greatly to the lines. It completes the car and it flows great. Mmmm…something is still missing!

 

1932 Ford 5 window rear

 Yes, that’s it. Fenders. It puts the old back in to the car. This just shows how versitile the 1932 Ford is. It can be built in many ways and look great.

This car is now sold and Your Humble Editor is looking for something new and fun, Well, something old and fun. Like a 1937 Ford cabriolet. Know of any? Let me know.

 

Reader’s Rides: 1932 Ford Five Window

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Sometimes your Humble Editor get an e-mail from a ClassicRoad reader with pictures of his or her car. Bob Mervar from Oregon state did just that and his 1932 Ford five window is too cool not to share with the world.

1932 Ford five window

The car was finished in 2009 and Bob has been driving the wheels off it ever since.

1932 Ford cruising

Some more pictures coming soon. Thanks for sharing, Bob

FOUND!! An actual service station!!

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Just like it is useless to look for an old school radiator shop any more, it is also impossible to find a real gas/service station. They have all been replaced with snack peddlers with pumps outside if you are lucky.

Looking for fuel, I came across this disappearing institution: 

An actual SERVICE station!

Complete with fan belts on the wall just like it should be.

It even sported a uniformed articulate and polite young man in a uniform. Kinda cool.

 

 

 

Lets take a spin in the time machine

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Sometimes I have the need to visit recycling places to see old cool stuff that I absolutely do not need. Having said that. You never know what you will stumble across.

How about an old Formica table?

What about building a house around this pink stove? I bet Elvis had one.

I have no interest in riding old bikes but they sure look cool.

Vintage oil pumps makes for great garage art but they also take up floor space.

Vintage radios are cool…to look at. Most of the time they just end up taking up shelf space.

One would think these wall games are collectible but there is very little demand.

Fun to look at but that’s it. OK, back to playing with cars!

 

 

 

 

Harry’s “back in the day” Hot Rod Pictures

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I bought a vintage Volvo from Harry and his wife a few years ago. I learned that he has been a car guy and hot rodder all his life and here are some pictures to prove it.

Gotta love this stuff:

A Mopar 413 Ramcharger powered this red hot rod. The stick figure in the front is Harry himself.

With a ride like this it was not a problem to atract the ladies.

Just love the stance and look of old hot rods.

The hot rod started life with a different color. Check out the two color top insert.

 

More evidence that the ladies dig guys with hot rods…

A completey restored 1937 Dodge truck was the ride of choice for a while.

One of the earlier cars Harry owned was this 1926 Ford Model T. Bought it for $150.00 and sold it for $300.00. They only car he made money on!

Thanks Harry for sharing your time machine with us.

Classic Chevys on the Open Road

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Happy Birthday America!

 During the birth month of our great nation, nothing speaks “America” like a classic Chevrolet rolling down the open road.  A very special group of classic Chevy’s, known as Tri-Five, concentrates on 1955-1957 model years. Included in this collection is the famous and highly sought after 1957 Bel Air. Of the seven body styles included in the Tri-Five, the Bel Air is one of the most valuable classics.  Owners often spend upwards of $50,000 to restore one of these great American beauties.

One of the biggest trials of owning a classic hot rod is the upkeep. Locating a reliable parts source for your project car is always a challenge. However, we live in the era of the internet, where just about anything can be found online. Locating the right parts for a reasonable price often requires a bit of research, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a breeze.  One online supplier becoming a popular source for even difficult to find parts is Eckler’s. Their Classic Chevy website offers only Officially Licensed GM Restoration Parts. You can find similar online resources for just about every auto make and model.

So what are you waiting for?  Now is the time to make sure your classic ride is road ready.  After all, summer provides perfect weather to take your prize ride out for a spin!

 Gina Smith writes freelance articles for magazines, online outlets and publications. Smith covers the latest topics in the automotive, golf, tourism, technology and entertainment industries.

Greenwood Show

Another “All American” show but this show attracts it’s fair share of imports and real hot rods.

Let’s start with the LAW!
The Seattle Police museum offered up a great selection of vintage cop cars.

Now, let’s check out the Swedish stuff:

…and some English rides: Minis anyone?

I am not big on Pro Strret cars these days but this super clean Dodge pulled it off.

Super clean install makes this car worth a second look. Way to go!

Super straight Old sedanette. Me want!

Everybody thinks there are all work $200,000 after the Barret Jackson sale but nevertheless, I want one.

The interior on these are just to die for…road trip any one??

The car was just bought with the intention of tearing off the fenders and slamming a big hemi in it. I suggested he takes my highboy 31 and butcher that one instead and let me be the custodian of this piece if history. Have not head back yet…

…till next time.