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OK, finally got the garages in process. Permits ready. Calling in the foundation concrete guy.
So
Some time to look at cars. I want something very early, closest to the 1900s, Would like a Stanhope or PA possible, now looking at 1903 an E.R Thomas, an electric, Stevens-Duryea, but my heart is with Pierce.
Also, a big brass car. Looking at Winton, Packard, Thomas Flyer, Simplex, Underslung, Olds (like a limited) just to give you ideas that interest me. Again I would like a Pierce.
I am watching Hemmings, Horseless Carriage, and Hyman, already. But maybe someone knows about one, not on the internet?
I have some good cars in the 1930s and am just going back in time. I do not want a project. Something that is being driven sometimes as I do want to drive it!
Putting a lot of lines in the water. You seem to have time, patience and ready cash. I am working on the “time and patience” of the equation!
I am in Atlanta, but can travel.
I am thinking about three type cars. Earlier than 1904. Mid-range brass car and a comfortable touring car. PA Convertible sedan, 8 cylinders or like.
There is a 1914 Locomobile 48 on the HCCA site.It all depends on how much one wants to spend.You want a car with a lovely provenance.
Hi Bill,
There was a huge,, make that HUGE change and improvement in technology, metallurgy, engine design, ignition design from the early 1900’s to 1910, and more through 1915.
I do not think there are many cars from pre 1905 that are what I’d want to drive very much. There are many vast improvements in engine design, carburetors. and big changes in ignition systems..
Starting the engine was by hand crank, up through 1911 ? or maybe it was 1913? Can’t remember.
Just an example: in 1912, an electric generator was an option in the Pierce Arrow cars.
The early Pierce engines had a gravity feed oil tank on the engine, there was an oil pump, but it’s job was to keep the oil tank full, removing the oil from the oil pan and pumping it up into the long oil tank, which had small pipes that fed oil to each main bearing, and from the main bearings to the connecting rods
I think 1913 was the first year for direct full pressure oil lubrication from the oil pump to the main bearings..
What I’m getting at is that the very early cars are better museum pieces than they are touring cars.. Especially since there are virtually no spare parts, if something breaks, it has to be made. from ‘scratch’.
Do you have the Automobile Quarterly book 28-4 ? it is the AQ that is entirely about Pierce Arrows. Black cover, Pierce V12 hubcap in the center of the cover.
This AQ has a pretty good history of our cars, especially the earlier cars..
If you do not have a copy of this AQ, I have several, just email me and I’ll get you one..
There are several other books on the early cars.. all of which will help with figuring out what models or years prior to 1910 that would work best for you.
Greg Long
Try this site Bill, they have a few Pierce-Arrows for sale.
Thank you for your replies. I forgot to check to receive email responses. Now I have.
There are some old cars on the HCCA. Curved Dash Olds. 1903 SD, and should be driveable for very limited touring. These appeal to me and looking for similar. Seem to be in the price range from $38k to $110k
Price range in bigger 1910 – 1913 I could pay $200k or some more. Still looking.
Bill, in that price range for a 1910-1913 car, you will see some advertised, but the majority of the really nice early cars sell “through the grapevine” and advertising is not necessary.
If I were looking for such a car, I’d do a little research and find out who the people are that, shall we say, are members of the “in crowd” of the early car scene. That should be fairly easy to do with a little research. Then, I’d be making phone calls, and showing up at some of the major events. Bakersfield, for example, and the Brass in Berks County event. You’ll find that four or five names keep coming up, and those are the people who know where the good stuff is and if it can be bought.
You may happen upon an advertisement for a good car, but I can tell you that for every one advertised, there are ten sold that you never hear of.
Bill,
As I recall there some nice Curved Dash Oldsmobiles on The HCCA site recently.If you want a car originally fitted with a self starter,then you will have to find one from 1912-1915.There is a nice book out there by Bob Dluhy on the cars of 1906 through 1915 that has a lot of information on the period of 1906 through 1915 as to social changes and a full listing of the cars available for each of those years and their specs.He is in PAS and he may still have a copy.A must book! Also the NACC Handbooks can be viewed on the Web and were published up through 1929 can give the specs for most makes of each year.Finding a car! When I was building my collection,I built a system of contacts really starting when I joined the the HCCA when I was barely 16.Then joined other clubs as I got older,I who had what cars and would peruse the rosters,write letters,make phone calls etc and above all make friends.I had my mentors.
A person’s situation might change and they have decided to let their car go for whatever reason.I started looking for my first antique car at 13 and I would just ask around,my mom and dad’s friend’s,my school friends etc.Developing a system of contacts will find you a car.I had the good luck of knowing people who were around and even adults when these cars we love when new and I would be told what was a good car and what was not so good.One of my dad’s friends who was like an adopted granddad was driving Pope Toledos and Thomas Flyers in Nevada in 1904-1905-1906.I would ask him what cars were good.In the end,it is deciding what you like,educating yourself and going from there.In my case,it has always been a deep love of the cars of 1932 and earlier and learning all there is about them.