Vintage cars...

[Warped9]

I have something of an interest in old, vintage (classic) cars. I remember something of the cars of the '60s and '70s because that's when I grew up. But before that then not so much.

Part of the appeal is their (relatively) rudimentary nature compared to the cars of today we're so accustomed to. Many years ago I worked for a man who owned a number of classic cars (and they all ran), but I never got closer than walking around them and peering inside. The closest I ever got was driving a '61 Lincoln sedan briefly around the neighbourhood. I felt like I was in gangster movie. The steering felt totally disconnected and you could feel this mass around you as you changed directions. And it was rather softly sprung. But it really didn't feel much different from what I remembered of my father's '73 Mercury Meteor that I learned to drive on.

But I've long wanted to ride and drive some really old cars ('20, '30s, '40s and '50s) just for the experience, to catch some sense of what it was like back in the day when such vehicles were commonplace and everywhere. And the people driving those cars were just as enthusiastic and passionate about their cars as people are today.

Thoughts anyone? Anyone with experiences to share?

 

[Paulcpick]

I love older and vintage cars, My Grandfather builds street rods, so Ive gotten to drive quite a few, the most recent was when I got to drive a completely unrestored 1939 Chevy Business Coupe a few years ago.
My grandfather bought it in Nebraska and hauled it back to East Texas and turned it into a nice street rod a couple of years later, Mustang II front end, 355 Small Block Chevy, custom interior. Its nice, but to be honest, it was so much more interesting before he resto-moded it.

also Ive driven a resto-mod 39 Chevy Sedan, '40 Ford pickup, 41 and 46 Chevrolet Pickups. of all of those, the 41-46 Chevy Pickups, with their Art Deco heavy styling are my favorite. but if I had my choice, I would love to have a 41 GMC Pickup, they had a more severe look to them than their Chevrolet brethren.

 

[Santaman]

I would really like to get my hands on a Maserati Bora, lovely car.. or a Facel Vega.
As for a slightly less vintage cars, Jaguar XJ 220 and the Alfa Romeo Scighera, the latter is only a prototype which is a pity, would have been an awesome supercar.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Like this?

A 1934 Ford Cabriolet, flathead V8, rumble seat, suicide doors, 3 speed. Was my father in law's before he passed away.

the engine

 

[Canadave]

My grandpa amassed a small collection of old cars, before he passed away. My uncle owns them now. I've ridden in them all, but haven't had the chance to drive any. I may be slightly off on the year or model for a couple of them, but I believe they are:

1929 Ford Model A sedan
1931 Ford Model A coupe, with rumble seat
1948 Studebaker Champion sedan
1970 Dodge Super Bee

 

[An Officer]

What a beauty, the 4th hanson bro. Do you get to drive it often? Quite a head turner, I imagine!

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

We don't drive it as often as we should. I'll pick the kids up from school in it once in a while, I drive it in some local parades, and on Sundays around the lake.

It's great fun.

For the school's fundraising auction in the spring, I'm going to auction off a ride home for a student and 2 friends the Friday before Spring Break.

Here's one from a July 4th parade this year. It was 100F at 9:30a.m.

 

[An Officer]

I would definitely pay for a ride in that - lucky kids. Really very cute little ones you've got there. And no less than 3! Your days must be very busy.

And I would kill for those temperatures right now - it's bloody freezing over here.

 

[Kirby]

That is a beautiful car Hanson Bro! I know every era has it's standards, but cars from the 30s and 40s look like art compared to cars today. Sure the technology is better, the rides are more comfortable, the engines more efficient, but looks-wise, nothing beats the 30s and 40s.

Also, the anal retentive part of me has to point out that your son's Weblo neckerchief is uneven...

 

[Paulcpick]

love the Flathead in it. I know its not something you would consider doing and I dont blame you, but there are some cool "period" upgrades you can do to make that little Flathead V8 come alive ..
Im guessing thats a 221 with a 2 barrell downdraft carb?

anyway, if you are going to drive it more than you do now, I suggest zipping over to Speedway Motorsport Speed Shop and getting a modern water pump for the motor, getting a crossflow radiator, and bumping the coolant pressure to about 19 pounds, those old Flatheads are notorious about getting hot and cracking the block.

you might also look into getting a Small Block Chevy harmonic balancer, the difference in the chevys crank diameter is only about 0.060 of an inch smaller for the chevy. you can have a machine shop take a little bit off the snout of the Flathead crank, and hone the balancer, and presto chango! you now have a properly harmonicly balanced Flathead V8


that and a decent set of aftermarket exhaust headers will do wonders for the longevity of the Flathead, and you will notice a difference with your foot too.....


also, if you ever do have problems with the 221 and need to replace it, finding Flathead blocks isnt easy, but there is a place here in Texas called Mullins that somehow got ahold of a crapton of French Military(the French military used and produced the Ford Flathead design until the mid 90s) surplus virgin blocks, engine and assorted motor parts(supposedly 500 blocks, 120 completely assembled Motors, and 1,200 rods) they arent quite identical to the 30s block, but all the parts still work. so if your ever in a pinch, that is the way to go.

 

[Warped9]

Like this?

A 1934 Ford Cabriolet, flathead V8, rumble seat, suicide doors, 3 speed. Was my father in law's before he passed away.

Awesome!


Some favourites: top is a Bentley tourer and then two Auburn Speedsters, all from around 1929-30. These are the kind of cars I imagine Simon Templar, the Saint, driving when I read his adventures written in the 1930s.

 

[scotpens]

. . . Many years ago I worked for a man who owned a number of classic cars (and they all ran), but I never got closer than walking around them and peering inside. The closest I ever got was driving a '61 Lincoln sedan briefly around the neighbourhood. I felt like I was in gangster movie. The steering felt totally disconnected and you could feel this mass around you as you changed directions.

Older (pre-1980s) American cars were notorious for their lack of road feel and numb power steering. My brother and I used to call it “wheel-of-fortune” steering.

I would really like to get my hands on a Maserati Bora, lovely car.. or a Facel Vega.

If cost and maintenance were no object, I’d love to get hold of a Mercedes 300SL gullwing coupe. Gorgeous car.

Occasionally I still see a rare Dual Ghia on the street here in L.A. Fewer than 200 were made. It’s a beauty, but probably not terribly exciting to drive. Beneath that exotic Italian body, it was just a Dodge.