Ford & not so Ford

Ralph Moore

Ralph Moore

Well-known member
I'll probably get flack for this, but I had an opportunity to drive a unique car in the Annual Golden Days parade here this past weekend. It was sitting for about 20 years and I finally convinced the older gentleman that owned it to let me work on it. The sleeve valve engine had siezed, and it took awhile to free it, only to find a bent rod & bad bearing. I also spent a few late nights cleaning the old girl up. About a year later I was able to get it running and he graciously let me drive it in the parade this year. I know it's not a Ford, but what a great car! I included a picture of him and his beautiful wife of 65 years and their 1915 Model T Ford.
 

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Ford or not, that is pretty cool. Especially the fact that he trusted you enough with the car to turn you loose on it that way. 65 years is hard to imagine :eek:. Great job.
 
Is that you Ralph,next to the non-ford,your younger than i thought.Nice to see what people look like. ken ct
 
Ralph, what is that sliding sleeve car? Is it a Whippet? I worked on a one only engine, it was a DaVinci, sliding sleeve 6 cyl. Walt
 
It's a 1931 Willys-Knight model 66D, and yes it's a sleeve valve engine. The first one I had ever seen, much less had a chance to work on. It was quite a learning experience. There was another fellow up here that had a 27 Falcon-Knight, Rudy Domke, he gave me some good advice on it, sad to say he was on his death bed and I never got the chance to show it to him running. I really love these old cars, any make, makes me sick to look at the the crap they are building today.

Ya caught me Ken.
 
Ralph, I am a Ford guy but got sick of rusted out cars here in the Salted road north and bought a plastic body Saturn in 96. It has almost 150,000 miles and has
NEVER been back to the dealer for anything. I did replace brake pads, spark plugs and a muffler myself. There is absolutely no sign of rust, and has gotten 30 plus mpg from the word go. I would not call it " crap".
 
keith,

I was speaking of "style and beauty" not reliability or safety. The modern cars are great in that department, but all lack in looks in my opinion.

Ralph
 
one thing saturns are no longer being made.. you will be having trouble finding some parts . like take the 3rd brake light the housing matches the inside of the the car. took me 3 weeks to find one here. other then that they seem to be a good car.
 
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