Old cars

V12Bill

Well-known member
I was watching the Barret-Jackson Auctions last night when one of the "expert" commentators said that if you had an old vehicle and expected to make it home at the end of the day, you had to be a mechanic. That is why people "improve" their vehicles by putting in late model drive trains, there much more reliable. To which I might add BS!!


With uninformed people handing out advice like that to other uninformed people, it is no wonder that the old car market is crashing!
 
They ran good in the day and if will run good now if maintained proper ..I hate to see smallblock garbage in a antique car..So many 32 33 34 fords ruined by hot rodders,..this should get folks dander up..go on ebay so many hot rods for sale and few original cars.sc,
 
There is some truth in what the guy said, we just don't want to hear it from the likes of him. Anyone who isn't familiar with the mechanics of his vintage car is blind foolish to set out on a trip alone. Besides camaraderie, another reason lots of guys travel in caravan, is to avail themselves of each other's assistance when one of them inevitably breaks down. Back in the day, however, city and country folk alike had more mechanical ability than the average boy toy owner has today, and that assessment includes those with garbage truck engines. Anyone disputing that, please recall those enthusiasts in your acquaintance who keep a set of Taiwan Metric wrenches in their trunks, "just in case".
 
Sorry but I did not see any of the Auction because I had better things to do, one of which was working on my "old vehicle" to help assure that it would get to where I wanted to go in a safer and more reliable fashion.
 
51 Merc-Ct hit the nail one the head. Building them, keeping them running and getting there, problems or not are all part of it.
 
Tried to watch it three times and gave up. Decided it was for people with more money than brains.
 
I suspect that anyone who puts the megabucks into a new drivetrain could spend a fraction of that and get a very nicely running original car. Problem is they want power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, air conditioning and more comfortable seats. The experience we go for is different than what they want.

I love original cars and have a few. I did see a 1949 Ford with a 302 in it for sale recently. It was restored to stock appearance and really looked nice. One of the few times I was tempted by a car with an updated engine.
 
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I watched the B-J auction to see how stock cars were faring. I saw a 1940 Plymouth 4 door that was nicely restored to stock with a "301 " engine. I'm not a mopar fan, but I think they were 201 cid. Very few stock cars other than Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls etc. Mostly a display of how we can destroy a 30's or 40's car with a new, better chrome plated engine.
 
An "EX" is a connotation for "former" and a "Spert" is a drip under pressure. So much for Experts. The old cars were good enough for Grandpa but they do have some limitations. They will never be a "New" car no matter what you do to change them. If anything, late model running gear will make them more dangerous.
 
I watched the B-J auction to see how stock cars were faring. I saw a 1940 Plymouth 4 door that was nicely restored to stock with a "301 " engine. I'm not a mopar fan, but I think they were 201 cid. Very few stock cars other than Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls etc. Mostly a display of how we can destroy a 30's or 40's car with a new, better chrome plated engine.
You can check the results for "stock" or semi-stock personalized cars.
For example this '38 personalized 4dr convertible.

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Eve...8-FORD-DELUXE-CUSTOM-CONVERTIBLE-SEDAN-224705

And the '40 stock Plymouth with the erroneous "301" engine.

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1940-PLYMOUTH-DELUXE-SEDAN-224537
 
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Deove my 32 Ford to Oregon, Mn. & georgia among many other local trips. Believe in Driving them! Great memories ! Kerk
 
My dad who had NO mechanical skills drove his 1939 Ford 2 door from 1941 to 1949 and never had a break down. I am sure he was not alone among drivers of his time.
 
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