To actually EXPERIENCE the era....

[John in Covina]

This made me recall a hair raising drive from Plattsburgh NY back to Long Island in the Winter of 1977. A friend had a 63 Plymouth Valiant with one of the slant 6 engines, and we were finished with the semester going back just before Christmas for the Winter break. We had gotten snow ahead of the cold front that swept thru that night. A real Artic Blast, crisp and clear at about 20 below or lower temps. Unlike others that morning Pete's car started and we headed for home south on the NY interstate (87?) early in the morning. Few people had driven on the couple of inches of snow and the plows weren't out in that stretch so we settled in for a fairly slow ride on an empty freeway where the snow was packed down and iced over in two ruts from the previous car(s). It was easiest to slip our wheels into the ruts and go as they acted like a train track guiding the wheels. Somewheres before Albany the ruts turned off and Pete said the car really wanted to follow them down the off ramp. The cold was increadible, the defroster did not work until about 2 hours into the trip! I had a scraper and a towel to wipe the breath frost off the inside of the windshield so Pete could drive and I could see until the defroster kicked in! Plattsburgh get pretty cold in the winter and so like other areas people there have some of the different engine heaters made so starting is not such a chore in the morning. Up that way the locals also would leave the water on as a fast drip or trickle in the kitchen and bathroom(s) to keep the pipes from freezing during the really big cold snaps.

Also in fall and early winter every hundred miles in the drive south was like going back a week in the season change.

 

[David Conwill]

I just did a 290 mile round trip in the Falcon today. Holy cow. I’ve been back for an hour and the cold is still in me.

The car was a champ in the snow, though, even without snow tires. Despite several horror stories from older folks I know who had Falcons back when they were new(er), I didn’t have any problem driving through all the road conditions. I think maybe Falcons were just bad if your comparison point was a full-size ‘50s car - whereas I transitioned from a ‘93 Escort, so my only adjustment was switching to RWD.

The winds were incredible, though, and I’m fatigued from fighting off involuntary lane changes. That is a super light car.

-Dave

 

[BellyTank]

Light car, big stering wheel!

I had a '61 Falcon.


B
T

 

[filfoster]

Falcon Crest

Light car, big stering wheel!

I had a '61 Falcon.


B
T

That's the first car I ever drove; my uncle let me drive it when I was 10. It had the shift on the column. One scary ride. For my uncle.

 

[PistolPete1969]

To actually experience an era.....

My personal experience began when I started in Civil War reenactment. I have always been a CW buff. My best experience was in the spring of 1993 my unit got "invited" to a National Park Service event in Cold harbor, VA ( now a suburb of Richmond, VA). We did basic "show & tell" for the public that day; marching, firing drills, camp life, etc.

That night, on the actual field where @ 7000 men perished in 20 minutes, we manned up the original Confederate trenches in full uniform. Then they brought visitors through in small groups by candlelight. It was eerie.

Being in the original trenches on the actual field in extremely authentic uniform is the best way to experience the actual event.


Pete

 

[docneg]

I drive a PT Cruiser with my hat pulled down and I squint so I don't have to see all the modern stuff. That's the way to operate the time machine.

 

[docneg]

Oh, and most importantly, Artie Shaw playing on the CD player/radio.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Experiencing an era is more than driving an old car. I get chills at times when at a historical place, surrounded by period equipment and music of course wile in period clothes.

The Great LA Air Raid every February is one case that I’ll never forget. This event is at a historic sight, the Fort MacArthur museum in San Pedro. It’s WWI era costal artillery instillation that saw the end of WWI and served through WWII and into the 1970s. It’s now a living history point of interest and they hold events there from time to time. Each February is the Great Los Angeles Air Raid, photos and stories have been shared about this event commemorating the mysterious air raid that happened in Feb of 1942.

A few years back it rained, the band bailed out and didn’t show up for their gig… but there were plenty of period cars, jeeps and a hand full of original WWII era GE search lights on their trailers with original generators and trucks sitting on the grass interspersed on the grounds. It’s a light rain fall, I’m wearing a heavy early 40s overcoat with a gas mask bag and a hard Civil Defense helmet with matching armband. I’m walking around and the sound of Helen Forrest singing “Sky Lark” with Harry James’ orchestra is piped over old speakers on the base. The fresh smell of rain is in the air as well as the smell of the chow they were preparing and coffee. Looking at all the men in WWII olive wools, early war helmets and such with the original restored equipment, I felt this massive chill down my back… I felt as if I was experiencing something genuinely connected with that era. Some people complained about the rain and how the band didn’t come on the count of rain but I had a very special and memorable time that will never be duplicated.

I eat off of Depression glass, I drive my ’46 daily and my telephone rings with 70 year old brass bells. Old cars are time machines… if they’re original or restored to stock of course. It’s that old car smell, looking through a split windshield, seeing a long strip of stainless down a long tapered hood with a chrome ornament at the end, seeing the fenders, having wing windows and a large steering wheel… sitting on bench seats and a high roof… yes, it’s a time machine depending on where you go. Have taken many a drive at night in old neighborhoods and playing music from a CD player in the glove box over the original 602 radio… you get that feeling; especially if it’s radio broadcast stuff… not just a CD of music, but has to have the announcers voice, the sound of the crowds, the commercials and all. And of course driving wearing appropriate clothing will give you a glimpse into the past and a taste of what it may have been like for those who are too young to remember such as myself.

 

[ScionPI2005]

It's one thing to collect and emulate the era, but to actually experience what was a daily event is truly something. This morning I got up to a 6 above zero temperature. I walked out to my 1950 Plymouth, and the fun began. The slow grunt of the original 6v system was unnerving, but it coughed, then started. It vibrated for a while as the cold 30W motor oil was pushed to to the top of the engine, the choke pulled to mid setting to allow enough gas to keep the ice cold carb fed. I waited inside the cab, watching my breath freeze on the inside of the flat windshield glass, and remembered WHY the Pendleton 100% wool jacket I was wearing was originally called a 'car coat', as it goes just below my waist, keeping my backside warm on a rock hard, ice cold bench seat, but without bunching around my knees for ease of movement to push in clutch and brake. The jacket was a gift from my brother-in-law over a year ago, and had seen little to no wear to date. It will now enjoy daily wear as long as we have cold weather like this, as Pendleton has made this type of jacket for car wear since the 1920s with no change in the design. I now know (and remember) why, as it's a design made specifically for this type situation.
The engine finally smooths out, though the temperature gauge shows just a bit of movement, and I put the car in reverse and back out of my yard. It's a bit sluggish, but it moves out with purpose. I reach down and twist the defroster knob and the 'outside air' knob that turns on the heater fan at the front of the car, where the heater is located on these old MOPAR's. I had forgotten that the door that closes off the duct from the heater to the cab firewall has a thermostat that will only open when it 'feels' enough heat being generated by the heater. Of course, on a day like today, that never really happens, so the only real heat I feel is coming from the defroster. It's not unbearable, but it's sure not warm. After driving for about 2 or 3 miles, the temperature gauge is almost to normal setting, and my oil pressure is finally showing normal range (it was high due to the cold oil earlier. A real test of the oil pump as to it's health), and I find myself enjoying this chilly but fine drive.

I arrive at work in good order, and can remember similar experiences from a long distant past when I was growing up in the late 50's and early 60's when my DAD was driving these old monsters, and remember why we were so bundled up when for out winter drives. It's not unlike a sleigh ride.....you just don't get the wind in your face!

I'm sure I've joggled a few members memories of rides like this in THEIR past. It's a truly satisfying experience to drive these old cars, even in 6 degree above zero weather (as long as they're running! )

Regards. Michaelson

Wow, somehow I missed this thread throughout the entire time I've been here at the Lounge, but I love this story. Your imagery is great Michaelson. You gave me chills, and I'm sitting here at home with a long sleeve drinking coffee!

 

[vitanola]

Ah! this reminds me of so many cold winter days when I lived in Boston (Roxbury, actually). I parked on the street, and since the Bendix drive on Ford starters was so notoriously fragile, I had removed the self-starter and installed a couple of block-off plates to cover the holes in the Hogshead.

Ford cars use the same oil sump for both engine and transmission, and the multiple-disc clutch operates in an oil bath. In sub-freezing weather, the thickened engine oil would tend to glue the clutch plates together, hence the engine would be nearly impossible to crank. Modern fuel vaporises very easily, so I never had to worry about heating the intake manifold, but otherwise my morning routine was pretty much "period":

1) Take jack and wheel chocks out of tool box. Chock right rear wheel, jack up left rear wheel.

2) Throw handbrake lever forward, putting machine INTO gear.

3) Open mixture valve 1/2 turn.

4) Set throttle and spark (spark fully retarded, throttle 3/4 open)

5) Choke engine, turning engine over three or four revolutions. As the machine is in gear, the drive train and the left rear wheel provides a flywheel action, which helps one to crank the engine.

6) Turn ignition switch to "Battery".

7) Crank engine whilst pulling choke wire. 3 or 4 half turns are usually sufficient for the engine to "catch".

8) Release choke wire after a half-minute or so.

9) Advance spark and close throttle until engine is idling nicely.

10) Allow engine to run for a couple of minutes, so that the oil can warm.

11) Pull handbrake back to "Neutral" position, advance throttle slightly, and
then pull handbrake all of the way back, stopping the spinning of the left wheel and breaking the clutch free. Set the handbrake firmly.

12) Take car off of jack, remove wheel chocks, put jack and chocks away in tool box on running board.

13) Drive to the office.


This seems a rather complicated procedure, but it never takes more than 5 minutes, and if one follows this procedure the machine will start regardless of temperature (I spent one winter in Missoula MT, and regularly started the machine in -20 temperatures.)

 

[David Conwill]

I parked on the street, and since the Bendix drive on Ford starters was so notoriously fragile, I had removed the self-starter and installed a couple of block-off plates to cover the holes...

Up to this point, I had no idea what kind of car you were talking about. I was picturing a Taurus or something. Then I read:

...in the Hogshead.

And I realized you were talking about a Model T. That routine sounds very “period.” If you wanted to make it more era correct, cut your gasoline a bit with kerosene, then you can have the enjoyment of preheating your intake too.

I’ve heard of more-rural Ford owners actually pushing their car so the crankcase was over the coals from the previous-night’s fire. Come to think of it, I’ve heard of guys on the dry lakes in the 1940s doing the same thing for recaltriant alcohol-fueled engines.

-Dave

 

[Forgotten Man]

Ah, car talk, gotta love it!

You know, over Christmas while watching "A Christmas Story" I always enjoyed the father cursing out his '37 Olds: That hot damn Olds it would freeze up in the middle of the Equator! lol

 

[vitanola]

Up to this point, I had no idea what kind of car you were talking about. I was picturing a Taurus or something. Then I read:



And I realized you were talking about a Model T. That routine sounds very “period.” If you wanted to make it more era correct, cut your gasoline a bit with kerosene, then you can have the enjoyment of preheating your intake too.

I’ve heard of more-rural Ford owners actually pushing their car so the crankcase was over the coals from the previous-night’s fire. Come to think of it, I’ve heard of guys on the dry lakes in the 1940s doing the same thing for recaltriant alcohol-fueled engines.

-Dave

I drove 'T's almost exclusively form 1977 until 1998. Took my driver's test in one (a '19 coupe), which I drove to college. In my Junior I supplemented the T with a more capacious ride, a 1928 Paige Sedan, fitted with a Lycoming straight 8.

Replaced the '19 with a '26 coupe (all steel body, no rattles) in 1984, and drove that machine for hundred of thousands of miles (and about seven engine rebuilds) until it was destroyed in an accident in '98. I was rear-ended in broad daylight by a fellow who "Didn't see" me!

Of course, my car was dark green against a sunny blue sky, and was only seven fet tall. Who can blame him for missing it?