Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[toolbox101]

This is one of the nicest restorations I have EVER seen,, ever. Thank You for shareing those amazing photos for us.

 

[Showboy]

Showboy,

Welcome to the Center of the Universe.
Are you a member of LCOC? With 4 Lincolns in your garage(s), you should be a member. Also, you need to start a thread showing your garages (unless I missed it).

Chris

I'm not a member at LCOC, but I'll check them out. Thanx for the tip.

I haven't posted pics of the garages as of yet. Right now, a few of them live at my house (in AR) and at my sister's and my mom's houses. The rest are in a building at our farm.

Part of the reason that I visit this site is to learn more about garages because I want to reconfigure the house to add some garage space. I won't be building something big enough to house all the cars. The plan -- which changes frequently -- is to have three cars in the walkout basement garage and to add a four-car garage on to that end of the house.

As I somewhat said ---- we'll see ---- 'cause I keep changing the plans.

Thomas doesn't own it - it belongs to Chris.

Oh, okay.





I didn't mean to hi-jack this cool thread. I'm sorry.

 

[tinbender 66]

Man, you don't do anything half-way do ya? Nice bench! I'm sure it will be even more amazing when we see it finished. Thanks for addicting me to GJ.

Paul

 

[Marlin363]

I find this thread incredible. Certainly an inspirational experience. I read it in Car Craft and came here Immediately to read. Of course it takes me a while for my magazine to get here. I am active duty Navy and this helped me pass the time on my birthday here. I am much younger generation but my job of maintaining some of our Nation's oldest submarines has taught me the value of repair vs replacing.


Anyway I immediately started searching for a Walker jack and found this one. I can't buy it but thought it was worth posting since it had the nose piece. If I was on the mainland I would snap it up today. I also find the ring on the handle very interesting. I already have an interest in preserving old items but you have inspired me to get and restore one of these jacks.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/tls/2359142715.html

Walker Floor Jack...Heavy Duty - $350 (Belfair/Bremerton)

Older Walker floor jack probably rated at 10 tons?...........in good working order....48" long with original yellow paint

 

[ToyMeKaNeK]

http://danville.craigslist.org/tls/2345969773.html

 

[R1chy]

Saw these this weekend and thought hard about picking up one, but just no room to store it in the garage the the barn is to far away to keep it in.

walker floor jack's approx 10 - $200 (falls church, VA Craigslist)

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/2369256655.html

 

[colobiker]

Thomas & Chris.

I had a link to your thread emailed to me about 1.5 months ago. I have been reading it over lunch (one hour at a time) until today.

All I can say is WOW!!! your motivation and attention to detail is unbelivable.
the care and concern for everything is amazing. Like most people who have posted on this thread, I too am a old car/old garage/tool nut. its nice to see so many others out there with the same affliction.

I wanted to thank your for taking the time to photograph, and journal this epic transistion. I am truly inspired by your motivation and attention to detail. Thanks for preserving the past.

someday I hope to have my shop completed to show off on these pages. however I must admit, it will take me way more than 4 years, and it will be no where as cool as yours.

Thanks again.

Brian

 

[colobiker]

oh. I just remembered seeing a picture of an old willys on the pages with the johnsons repair shop painted on the side.

how do you like mine.

1948 willys pickup, runs and drives. 100% original except for a 1957 chev 283 under the hood. I am not going to restore it (except mechanically and find an old ford flat head V8 for it). leave it the orig 53 year old patina (might see if I can get a good cleaning and clear coat it) you wouldnt beleive the looks I get as I tool around the area in this old thing. people do a serious double take.

the other is a 61 willys pickup that I purchased late last summer. (work in progress)

any way I wanted to share the pic of my old willys that looks similar to Mr. Johnson's.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Colobiker - please start a thread on the Willys(es)! I have a '62 on the TBD project list. lol Is either equipped with a Warn OD? Good luck on the '61!

 

[GreyOwl]

Colobiker, if you clear it please don't use a high gloss clear. I have seen several and it looks unnatural.

Charles

 

[BB767]

My goodness I love old iron. All of it. I wish they didn't put so much car dissolver on the snowy roads up here. Its pretty hard to find a decent rust free vehicle around here . . . especially one that spent its early days here.

Chris, I can't say that I had the best study habits in college, but I will say that the material presented in this course would have kept my interest much better than differential equations.
I'm looking forward to your exam, and plan to answer every question with a smile om my face.

Thank you all for such a great thread. I will try to look you up at a drag race some time. (Maybe I will have a car to race by then)

Take care,
Phill

Phill, thank you so much for sticking with the thread up to now and taking a few moments here with your kind comments. More posts are coming of course.

There are two big drag races in your neck of the woods, June 24/25 @ Martin, Mi- US 131 and the biggest of the year is Stanton, Mi- Mid Michigan Motorplex Sept 16/17. If you make to either, cheer on a little, blue '66 Chevy II, will ya?!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas...I do still have the '65 Impala. I bought it used in 1969 when I got out of the Navy from a private owner, drove it until 1974 and it sat parked till 1994, and it took me 11 years to do a body off resto. to it. Has original padded dash, interior, door pads. I added pwr.disc brakes, pwr. steering, lowered, shaved, 17' wheels, 406 ci small block chevy, 4 speed, 3:73 posi. Looks bad, sounds bad, runs great.

Sounds like a car you can have a lot of fun with. Once you've owned them that long, they are members of the family aren't they?

NIA (National Impala Association) has been in different hands since you were a member. Jody Anderson has been running it for a few years now and he and his staff work very hard at making the meets a bunch of fun for everyone. They always have drag racing at the national meets too which are laid back, fun events.

Thanks for info on your car. Cruise by the shop sometime with it.

Thomas

 

[colobiker]

Colobiker - please start a thread on the Willys(es)! I have a '62 on the TBD project list. lol Is either equipped with a Warn OD? Good luck on the '61!

yes both have PTO winches. but I dont remember which brands.

 

[colobiker]

Colobiker, if you clear it please don't use a high gloss clear. I have seen several and it looks unnatural.

Charles

oh no. I wont do that. it will have to be flat (if the make it) or none at all.. not even a satin would look right.. I just want a protection of the barn fresh finish. it has some old rust spots.. (not actively rusting now) I dont even want to fix those because they add that old charactar that I like about the truck

I might add my business logo to the doors and age them so they look about the same vintage before I clear it.

 

[BB767]

This is one of the nicest restorations I have EVER seen,, ever. Thank You for shareing those amazing photos for us.

toolbox101 thank you for taking the time to read about it and the nice comment. Because the early shop was in such poor condition just about anything I'd do made a pretty dramatic difference I guess. Hope you stick around for more material coming this way.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I find this thread incredible. Certainly an inspirational experience. I read it in Car Craft and came here Immediately to read. Of course it takes me a while for my magazine to get here. I am active duty Navy and this helped me pass the time on my birthday here. I am much younger generation but my job of maintaining some of our Nation's oldest submarines has taught me the value of repair vs replacing.


Anyway I immediately started searching for a Walker jack and found this one. I can't buy it but thought it was worth posting since it had the nose piece. If I was on the mainland I would snap it up today. I also find the ring on the handle very interesting. I already have an interest in preserving old items but you have inspired me to get and restore one of these jacks.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/tls/2359142715.html

Walker Floor Jack...Heavy Duty - $350 (Belfair/Bremerton)

Older Walker floor jack probably rated at 10 tons?...........in good working order....48" long with original yellow paint

Welcome Marlin363 to the thread. As you might have read here, I was based in Guam when I was with Air Micronesia flying all over the South Pacific and Asia for a couple of years. Best flying I've ever done before and since then, all in Boeing 727's, the perfect aircraft for out there. It was a long way from home, but for a short while I can do anything....and enjoy it.

I'm guessing you must be in Agana Naval Base? I bet you can appreciate repair rather than replace. It frequently works out easier and better that way, doesn't it? Feel free to pass the GJ site on to your buddies out there, I'm sure they would find it interesting as well.

Thank you for the pictures of the yellow Walker on Craigs list. That must be a slight variant on the series seen here with the addition of the protective ring around the release knob. Whether that was done at the factory along with the yellow paint it's hard to say, but very well might have been. It appears to be one with the cast steel cover plate and an undamaged cast steel nose piece and in overall used but not abused condition! The seller speculates it's a 10 ton capacity but I'll bet it's a 4 ton Big Boy like mine. It will make someone a very nice piece and let's hope it goes to an appreciative home. Thanks so much for the information, perhaps someone here can take advantage.

One thing more Marlin363, thank you for your service.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

http://danville.craigslist.org/tls/2345969773.html

And now for something completely different I guess. First Walker bumper jack I've seen. Maybe all these sellers ought to be giving us a commission for helping them sell.

Thanks ToyKaNet.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Saw these this weekend and thought hard about picking up one, but just no room to store it in the garage the the barn is to far away to keep it in.

walker floor jack's approx 10 - $200 (falls church, VA Craigslist)

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/2369256655.html

R1chy that looks like a decent deal for someone. It they're all old and complete they're all worth rebuilding. Thanks, make sure you get a 10% commission from the seller now, OK?

Thomas

 

[billybudge]

This is the best complete restoration job, that I have ever seen, what an incredable job, very well done, the work involved in this project was massive, and many would have left this project,
the attention to detail, wow, I am truely lost for words, You guys are outstanding, remarkable,
I would love to see more pictures and more history, fantastic,
sat here thinking about all the hard work you put into this, and wondering about all the history about this place, a bet it could tell a few tells,
incredable,
How long did it take you from start to finish,
cheers,
thats the best shop , ever

 

[markviii]

Welcome to The Center of the Universe or the vortex, billybudge. We're glad you posted in from the UK. I think you must have "skimmed" this thread, judging by your questions. I'll caution you to do some careful studying to prepare for the upcoming test (time uncertain, but definitely getting closer), if you choose to take on the challenge.

We're really not that "outstanding" or "remarkable". We may, however, be a bit crazy to take on such a project. Some may quibble about it being the "best restoration." Tom did what suited his needs while maintaining the integrity of the 1930s shop and equipment. In some ways, it's much improved. In others, it's a modern-day workshop - the best of both worlds. It's definitely a labor of love.

We purchased the property in November of 2005. We're continually working on it,discovering the multitude of stories from the past. As for more pictures, rest assured that more are coming since you haven't gotten your fill during the previous 148 pages!

Chris

 

[willy3486]

I saw the picture above and my computer broke. the reason is I saw what looks to be a 3 legged wide deck joiner/planer and started drooling uncontrolable. I had to replace my keyboard. Seriously I think most here would be looking at the auto stuff if they came to your shop I would spend most of the time there looking at the woodworking shop. I spied 3 jointers ,the other two a 50s? Delta and a 90s? Powwermatic I think. I am glad to see that large vintage piece was saved from the scrapyard. I would love to have one like it and I would settle for one like the delta you have.I have a newer craftsman that had the internal motor that was bad. I made it so I could run a motor under it. As far as the powermatic I have been in the original factory. It is is my hometown, about 20 minutes from me now. I had a lot of family that worked there. A lot of people who gave decades there were tossed out like yesterdays garbage when they left. Anyway I just wanted to give kudos for saving that large joiner and fixing it up so nice.

 

[BB767]

Thomas & Chris.

I had a link to your thread emailed to me about 1.5 months ago. I have been reading it over lunch (one hour at a time) until today.

All I can say is WOW!!! your motivation and attention to detail is unbelivable.
the care and concern for everything is amazing. Like most people who have posted on this thread, I too am a old car/old garage/tool nut. its nice to see so many others out there with the same affliction.

I wanted to thank your for taking the time to photograph, and journal this epic transistion. I am truly inspired by your motivation and attention to detail. Thanks for preserving the past.

someday I hope to have my shop completed to show off on these pages. however I must admit, it will take me way more than 4 years, and it will be no where as cool as yours.

Thanks again.

Brian

Hi there Brian, I've been a little ******* but I wanted to add my welcome here. Your '48 Willys is outstanding. In time I expect to put a vintage Willys pickup on my radar and recreate Mr Johnson's work truck for the shop but that's a ways off right now.

It's interesting to know that there are so many like minded folks out here from all over the world who appreciate restoration and preservation of older tools, equipment etc. Who knew? Thanks for the encouraging words about the shop. I really appreciate it.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

This is the best complete restoration job, that I have ever seen, what an incredable job, very well done, the work involved in this project was massive, and many would have left this project,
the attention to detail, wow, I am truely lost for words, You guys are outstanding, remarkable,
I would love to see more pictures and more history, fantastic,
sat here thinking about all the hard work you put into this, and wondering about all the history about this place, a bet it could tell a few tells,
incredable,
How long did it take you from start to finish,
cheers,
thats the best shop , ever

billybudge I get the very distinct impression you like what we've done with the shop and this thread.

The interior of the shop took about a year and the outside, covering 5 acres is still on going, but the bulk of it took maybe 1 1/2 years to get it presentable. That's in rough terms of course.

I've been contacting people who worked out there when they were building the heavy duty trailers in the '70's to get some of that history plus as many vintage photographs as I can find. Once I get a few moments free I'm putting a link on here so you can see 1950's movies of the shop and some of the equipment and one or two (dozen) of Mr Johnson's bee hives. It's a interesting but very humble story that I'm happy to share.

Thank you for the "that's the best shop, ever"

Red faced Thomas

 

[3bay]

So.. how long you going to make us wait on finished pics of the Walker jack Bud?

 

[Alan T in DE]

Chris & Thomas--
Thank you for this thread, your dedication to this property, your willingness to share it w/ the world & your warm welcome to Garage Journal.

 

[crerus75]

Thomas,
As everyone else has already mentioned, the work you and yours have done is outstanding. I've followed along for all 150 pages and look forward to more.

Here's something you might find interesting.

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

This is an online inflation calculator that computes the buying power of money on a year-for-year basis. For example, $1.00 in 1935 has the buying power of $16.42 today (2011). I can't vouch for its accuracy, but it's fun to play with. Since you've found documentation and pricing for some of your vintage equipment, it might be enlightening to figure out how much one would have to shell out in 2011 dollars to buy something similar.

Cheers,
Rus

 

[Blase]

A....mazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just LOOKED/READ through all 150 pages and all I can say is THANK YOU.

That is a jouney that I can only sit, read and imagine how cool it was to take.
It has certainly inspired me to fix up the 20 x 30 building behind my house rather than tearing it down and starting over.

I'll post up a build thread later this summer and show some of the old items that I plan to reuse due largely in part to your thread!

Thanks again for sharing that great story! That is Americona at it's best.

 

[BB767]

I saw the picture above and my computer broke. the reason is I saw what looks to be a 3 legged wide deck joiner/planer and started drooling uncontrolable. I had to replace my keyboard. Seriously I think most here would be looking at the auto stuff if they came to your shop I would spend most of the time there looking at the woodworking shop. I spied 3 jointers ,the other two a 50s? Delta and a 90s? Powwermatic I think. I am glad to see that large vintage piece was saved from the scrapyard. I would love to have one like it and I would settle for one like the delta you have.I have a newer craftsman that had the internal motor that was bad. I made it so I could run a motor under it. As far as the powermatic I have been in the original factory. It is is my hometown, about 20 minutes from me now. I had a lot of family that worked there. A lot of people who gave decades there were tossed out like yesterdays garbage when they left. Anyway I just wanted to give kudos for saving that large joiner and fixing it up so nice.

willy3486 they make those plastic covers for your key board, you might want to consider getting one before you go any further with this particular post...

... I try to keep this thread mostly on track regarding the restored shop, the surrounding property and related history. I did use my wood shop for many of the various projects that were wood related when doing that restoration work, so in a roundabout way that equipment really is part of the story too I suppose.

My wood shop contains several older pieces of equipment, many of which I restored over 30 years ago when Dad and I were first setting that shop up.

Among them was this 1944 Yates American 16" (40.5 cm) jointer which has 4' (1.2 m) long in feed and out feed tables. Also is this...

...Yates American 18" (46 cm) thickness planer. Both machines are 3 phase, 480 volt, all cast iron, extremely rugged and perform flawlessly.

I did a complete nut and bolt restoration of each. The planer shown here about 1980 before I stared on it. Dad left the restorations to me so...

...I stripped them bare and started my now normal though restoration. Yates American is still in business and they supplied what the original green color was and...

...how the various name plates looked and some of the small details that I find important etc. They turned out quite well and have held up admirably over the years. This picture is only a few weeks old, 31 years after they were restored. I've got several other machines, many older, industrial 3 phase, but I'll save that for another time and perhaps another thread.

The pictures thus far of the barn bench build (bbb) were in a friends shop and so that Powermatic jointer you're referring to was his. My other jointer is indeed a 1948 Delta 6" (15 cm) that my Dad purchased new. Thanks for your interest in the wood working equipment. I'm happy that my wood shop is made up of almost exclusively "old stuff" You know me, it seems I can't let let older equipment deteriorate and twist in the wind. It all works good and lasts a long time.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

So.. how long you going to make us wait on finished pics of the Walker jack Bud?

Rich, can you tell I've been gone flying? I must apologize for not getting on here and back to you in a timely manner. I try hard to do that but as you know, sometimes that doesn't happen.

I've got a couple of small details to work out on the Walker before I reassemble it but it's largely ready to go back together. Once I start that it won't take long at all.

This is what I've been doing 12 hour days on when I am home. I'm trying to get this done as quickly as possible to free up my friends shop floor space. .

The barn bench build (bbb) is moving along exceptionally well and I'm looking to move it to the barn in just a few more days. Please bare with me. I'm anxious to get the Walker done too!!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Chris & Thomas--
Thank you for this thread, your dedication to this property, your willingness to share it w/ the world & your warm welcome to Garage Journal.

Alan T you are most gracious. I'm pretty enthused about the shop and sharing the history with everyone has been rewarding for Chris and myself as well. When I first posted on Garage Journal about restoring my Walker floor jack back in Dec. 2009 I was met by a very friendly, encouraging group here at the Journal. I'm sure you'll find it a nice, informative place to spend some time also. Please refer back here to this thread on occasion as I do have more to share, like the pictures of the Walker finally done!!

Thank you again for the kind thoughts.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas,
As everyone else has already mentioned, the work you and yours have done is outstanding. I've followed along for all 150 pages and look forward to more.

Here's something you might find interesting.

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

This is an online inflation calculator that computes the buying power of money on a year-for-year basis. For example, $1.00 in 1935 has the buying power of $16.42 today (2011). I can't vouch for its accuracy, but it's fun to play with. Since you've found documentation and pricing for some of your vintage equipment, it might be enlightening to figure out how much one would have to shell out in 2011 dollars to buy something similar.

Cheers,
Rus

Rus, what a great idea! I know what Mr Johnson paid for the property and some of the major equipment. Figuring it out in todays money would really be fun, (and maybe a little scary?) I'll tuck that one away for a rainy day.

Thanks again for following the thread so far and rest assured more is on the way. If it weren't for my day job, I could get so much more done around here, ya know?

Welcome to our family here.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

A....mazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just LOOKED/READ through all 150 pages and all I can say is THANK YOU.

That is a jouney that I can only sit, read and imagine how cool it was to take.
It has certainly inspired me to fix up the 20 x 30 building behind my house rather than tearing it down and starting over.

I'll post up a build thread later this summer and show some of the old items that I plan to reuse due largely in part to your thread!

Thanks again for sharing that great story! That is Americona at it's best.

Ah, way to go Blase you've made me proud! Most of the time it really is worth the effort to restore/refurbish items if they were of good quality to begin with. Please do post your efforts, I know others will be highly interested also. Drop back in here and let us know how it goes.

Proud Thomas

 

[3bay]

Rich, can you tell I've been gone flying? I must apologize for not getting on here and back to you in a timely manner. I try hard to do that but as you know, sometimes that doesn't happen.

I've got a couple of small details to work out on the Walker before I reassemble it but it's largely ready to go back together. Once I start that it won't take long at all.

This is what I've been doing 12 hour days on when I am home. I'm trying to get this done as quickly as possible to free up my friends shop floor space. .

The barn bench build (bbb) is moving along exceptionally well and I'm looking to move it to the barn in just a few more days. Please bare with me. I'm anxious to get the Walker done too!!

Thomas

I understand...been doing very long days here also.

I retired from Cummins 7 years ago and went into full time farming with 2 cousins, its just now starting to dry up from the near Biblical rain fall we received in April. I have a full day of planting today if the rain doesn't return.

For the most part of this month we was in a hold pattern and have only been doing PM work on machinery. 2 weeks ago we were waxing tractors and touching up scratches in the paint on about anything we own...LOL. We did manage to get about 110 acres planted Thursday and Friday on the sand hills, thats what we call our high ground. 1000 acres of bottoms next (fingers crossed).

Slow down and take your time...take the time to smell the roses as my wife would say!

 

[IMCA38]

In time I expect to put a vintage Willys pickup on my radar and recreate Mr Johnson's work truck for the shop but that's a ways off right now.

Thomas

Here's a "project" for you to consider:

http://www.bigiron.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?bigiron16/10/28

I love the way they mangled the description
Actually, I did learn a bit about these vehicles a few years ago and the one thing that I found interesting was that a model year was not typically assigned by the factory. The truck was shipped to the dealer and when it (finally) sold, the dealer annointed the model year as the year sold. So it was possible to have a "brand new" truck that was physically one or two or even three years old.

 

[Warg]

Here's a "project" for you to consider:

http://www.bigiron.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?bigiron16/10/28

I love the way they mangled the description
Actually, I did learn a bit about these vehicles a few years ago and the one thing that I found interesting was that a model year was not typically assigned by the factory. The truck was shipped to the dealer and when it (finally) sold, the dealer annointed the model year as the year sold. So it was possible to have a "brand new" truck that was physically one or two or even three years old.

This was, as far as I've heard, common practice in the US. Cars and trucks were titled when they were sold, and that became the "model year" in the title.
When the emissions stuff came along there was a need to change this behavior and the year of manufacture became the model year. It's a thing we old geezers remember, and the youngsters get confused over.

-Paul

 

[billybudge]

Welcome to The Center of the Universe or the vortex, billybudge. We're glad you posted in from the UK. I think you must have "skimmed" this thread, judging by your questions. I'll caution you to do some careful studying to prepare for the upcoming test (time uncertain, but definitely getting closer), if you choose to take on the challenge.

Hi Chris, thank you for responding,
Keep the pictures comming, fantastic work you are doing there, I have been showing some guys over here your thread / pictures. we all can not stop talking about it, really is very impressive,
thanks
Nathan

 

[BB767]

OK, to recap the barn was built to replace the 2 car garage, tool shed and lean-to buildings.

This was shortly after the barn was done and this is the corner where the new Barn Bench will call home.

I installed a Rotary Lift, 2 post asymmetric lift near this corner. This was going to be the primary working area in the barn, the dirty area if you will.

So in order to make this space useable I needed to set it up to support the lift and any work that would be done in the area.

I started with making shelf brackets that were identical to the brackets that were made...

...for the shelf in the old shop. The ends of the tubes are welded closed to lend a more substantial look to them. That turned out to be the hardest part of welding them but I eventually prevailed. These are supports for...

...my sound system equipment in the old shop among other items.

In the barn these new brackets are powder coated...

...and I used stainless steel hardware to fasten them.

I probably could have gotten by with fewer brackets but 20 years from now who knows what will be on that shelf? This bench is just a temporary one until the new one is ready.

Next 2 layers of 3/4" plywood were installed so the total shelf thickness is 1 1/2 " (3.8 cm). The shelf is very strong, especially with all those brackets supporting it.

Note how they make a right hand "L" shape around the corner. The new bench is being build to install under this shelf and that will explain it's somewhat unusual shape. Also note the multitude of electrical outlets. There are approximately 60 outlets in the barn, including 6 installed in the concrete floor. You can never have too many can you? Look at the first 3 photographs of the post...

and the small gray object in the middle of the floor...

is a pair of outlets, covered. But I digress...

In front of the plywood I installed a band of maple hardwood to dress up the raw plywood edge.

The new bench is all maple and so this maple band will be stained to match the bench.

To be continued....

Thomas

 

[rburke65]

If I missed it, I apologize, but did you put OSB or ply wood behind the metal on your walls? Thanks

 

[BB767]

Here's a "project" for you to consider:

http://www.bigiron.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?bigiron16/10/28

I love the way they mangled the description
Actually, I did learn a bit about these vehicles a few years ago and the one thing that I found interesting was that a model year was not typically assigned by the factory. The truck was shipped to the dealer and when it (finally) sold, the dealer annointed the model year as the year sold. So it was possible to have a "brand new" truck that was physically one or two or even three years old.

Interesting you bring up the old way to title vehicles. My 1949 Willys Jeppster was titled a 1950, but clearly it was a 1949 with the '49 grill and all. Same thing as you mentioned, it was purchased in 1950 so that's how it was titled. Since I knew it was a '49, I really didn't want it titled as a '50 so I applied to the Secretary of State to have it corrected which they did. So it became titled a 1949. Thomas was very happy about that.

The truck you brought to my attention has merit, especially if they are correct about no Bondo. But it is a project, no doubt about it. Notice how little they had changed in 10 years. The Johnson shop truck was a 1949 and except for the grill it looks identical to the 1959 truck in the auction.

Thanks for thinking of me and passing the information along, you never know. ( and with that last statement, I fully expect to hear something from my darling wife!)

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

Post 3001....

At this rate we will bury that bomb shelter garage in views as well as posts...