NumberDummy...
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
The first P/S rep that I recall was Rick DiBlasi (he later owned Cal-State). I think that Ken Taylor took over after Rick 'retired.'
At one of the gtg's at the Sportsman's Lodge, they had a contest on Ford history, winner got a Philco color TV.
Ken announced the contest, said they'd been running it for several months across the US, but no one had won. Then he looks around the room, sees me and gives me the 'fish eye' saying this might change tonight.
A sheet of paper with 20 questions was passed out, Ken announced after dinner...we have a winner, but before he could say another word, a guy in the back yelled out: "It must be Wilson!"
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
After the meet, went over to his rundown house in Van Nuys and looked at them. One was a LeBaron Coupe, another was a Bowman & Schwartz Convertible Sedan, the 3rd was a Rollson Town Car.
The guy had no money, no garage either, the cars sat outside in his driveway. As I recall, he had inherited them, wouldn't sell, and by now he's probably passed away.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I once owned a 1934 Packard V12 model 1108 2-4 passenger coupe, custom body by Dietrich.
Huge: 148" wheelbase, '3 window' coupe with a rumble seat, trunk rack, almost 20' long.
Huge: 148" wheelbase, '3 window' coupe with a rumble seat, trunk rack, almost 20' long.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
Unreal. The price tag back then was phenomenal.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
And the MPG was awful!
1965: I bought a 1931 Cadillac V16 7 passenger sedan from a UCLA student for 100 bucks. The car had a horrid white respray, otherwise wasn't too bad.
It had been parked on Veteran Avenue next to the VA cemetery for several years, the only time it moved (across the street) was on street cleaning day.
One day I drove by, noticed a for sale sign. I called the guy, he said bring some gas, so you can test drive it.
I poured two gallons in, test drove it around the neighborhood, it ran like crap, needed a tune up badly.
I bought it, it ran out of gas before I got home, about 5 miles away.
After I tuned it up, overhauled the carb, it got 7 MPG!
1965: I bought a 1931 Cadillac V16 7 passenger sedan from a UCLA student for 100 bucks. The car had a horrid white respray, otherwise wasn't too bad.
It had been parked on Veteran Avenue next to the VA cemetery for several years, the only time it moved (across the street) was on street cleaning day.
One day I drove by, noticed a for sale sign. I called the guy, he said bring some gas, so you can test drive it.
I poured two gallons in, test drove it around the neighborhood, it ran like crap, needed a tune up badly.
I bought it, it ran out of gas before I got home, about 5 miles away.
After I tuned it up, overhauled the carb, it got 7 MPG!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Speaking of Land Yachts like this, the car I've always wanted to own or drive is a Duesenberg built with any coach (body). What engineering those brothers produced! In the 1920's they designed an engine that produced 265 h.p. Dual overhead cams. 4 valves per cylinder! A car that out weighs a Bump and would go 119 MPH!!!!!!! IN THE 20'S!!!!!
All you yougsters through the Mid Life Crisis gang, when seeing something awesome or over the top you know the ol' saying "man,that's a Duesy". The Duesenberg is where that saying came from.
All you yougsters through the Mid Life Crisis gang, when seeing something awesome or over the top you know the ol' saying "man,that's a Duesy". The Duesenberg is where that saying came from.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
The Duesenberg J (introduced in 1929), did not come with a Supercharger, or the pipes exiting the hood, only the Duesenberg SJ (introduced in 1932) did.
Every week for years, I read thru the ads in the LA Times Classic & Antique Car section. 1950's/70's Sunday classifieds could be two columns long. Today, there's only a few if any cars advertised.
Sometime in 1961, Mae West's former 1931 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Car was advertised for sale on a Hollywood used car lot, 500 bucks!
I went to look at it, was rough as a cob and parts were very hard to find, so I passed.
Within weeks after looking at the car, someone informed me about Mike MacManus' 'classic car' junkyard in LA (19020 Anelo St). He had several Duesy's with the parts that Mae West car needed.
Mike sold out in the late 1970's, held an auction that 1000's of people attended. After the auction ended, several of us looked thru the dimly lit two story building that housed the parts.
Behind a bin, I discovered a complete side mount (spare tire carrier) and a taillight for a J/SJ. Dunno who stashed the parts there, but Mike said you can have them...for free.
Every week for years, I read thru the ads in the LA Times Classic & Antique Car section. 1950's/70's Sunday classifieds could be two columns long. Today, there's only a few if any cars advertised.
Sometime in 1961, Mae West's former 1931 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Car was advertised for sale on a Hollywood used car lot, 500 bucks!
I went to look at it, was rough as a cob and parts were very hard to find, so I passed.
Within weeks after looking at the car, someone informed me about Mike MacManus' 'classic car' junkyard in LA (19020 Anelo St). He had several Duesy's with the parts that Mae West car needed.
Mike sold out in the late 1970's, held an auction that 1000's of people attended. After the auction ended, several of us looked thru the dimly lit two story building that housed the parts.
Behind a bin, I discovered a complete side mount (spare tire carrier) and a taillight for a J/SJ. Dunno who stashed the parts there, but Mike said you can have them...for free.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
The Duesenberg J (introduced in 1929), did not come with a Supercharger, or the pipes exiting the hood, only the Duesenberg SJ (introduced in 1932) did.
Every week for years, I read thru the ads in the LA Times Classic & Antique Car section. 1950's/70's Sunday classifieds could be two columns long. Today, there's only a few if any cars advertised.
Sometime in 1961, Mae West's former 1931 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Car was advertised for sale on a Hollywood used car lot, 500 bucks!
I went to look at it, was rough as a cob and parts were very hard to find, so I passed.
Within weeks after looking at the car, someone informed me about Mike MacManus' 'classic car' junkyard in LA (19020 Anelo St). He had several Duesy's with the parts that Mae West car needed.
Every week for years, I read thru the ads in the LA Times Classic & Antique Car section. 1950's/70's Sunday classifieds could be two columns long. Today, there's only a few if any cars advertised.
Sometime in 1961, Mae West's former 1931 Duesenberg J Murphy Town Car was advertised for sale on a Hollywood used car lot, 500 bucks!
I went to look at it, was rough as a cob and parts were very hard to find, so I passed.
Within weeks after looking at the car, someone informed me about Mike MacManus' 'classic car' junkyard in LA (19020 Anelo St). He had several Duesy's with the parts that Mae West car needed.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
Here's one for ya, Bill.
Saw this in a custom shop near me. It is nearing the end of a two year, frame-off resto. 1936 Delahaye. The guy said it is valued at $2 mil.
I wish I had more time to get a better pic.
Saw this in a custom shop near me. It is nearing the end of a two year, frame-off resto. 1936 Delahaye. The guy said it is valued at $2 mil.
I wish I had more time to get a better pic.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Delahaye, French car imported into the US thru circa 1948.
This one appears to be from the mid/late 1930's, all came with custom bodies, with Hibbard & Darrin, Kellner, Figoni & Falaschi (phony & flashy), Saoutchik predominating.
This is the same Darrin that styled the 1939 Packard Darrin, 1941 Packard Clipper, 1947 Kaiser/Frazer, 1951 Kaiser and 1954 Kaiser Darrin, a fiberglass sports car, the doors slide back/forth.
In the 1970's, Darrin lived in Santa Monica Canyon, used to come by Automotive Classics at 2nd & Colorado and 'chew the fat.'
Bob Kramer (Kramer Motors) hired him to improve the looks of the current (1975) box on wheels Volvo sedan, but Darrin's proposal cost too much money.
"Why don't you come up and see me sometime." -Mae West (usual tag line, both in films and in person).
First time spoken in a film: "Why don't you come up...see me...oh you can be had!" -Mae West to Cary Grant ("She Done Him Wrong" - Paramount:1932)
This one appears to be from the mid/late 1930's, all came with custom bodies, with Hibbard & Darrin, Kellner, Figoni & Falaschi (phony & flashy), Saoutchik predominating.
This is the same Darrin that styled the 1939 Packard Darrin, 1941 Packard Clipper, 1947 Kaiser/Frazer, 1951 Kaiser and 1954 Kaiser Darrin, a fiberglass sports car, the doors slide back/forth.
In the 1970's, Darrin lived in Santa Monica Canyon, used to come by Automotive Classics at 2nd & Colorado and 'chew the fat.'
Bob Kramer (Kramer Motors) hired him to improve the looks of the current (1975) box on wheels Volvo sedan, but Darrin's proposal cost too much money.
"Why don't you come up and see me sometime." -Mae West (usual tag line, both in films and in person).
First time spoken in a film: "Why don't you come up...see me...oh you can be had!" -Mae West to Cary Grant ("She Done Him Wrong" - Paramount:1932)
