Crane Cams Auction score.

[Ramblur]

I did well at the auction last week. $10 for the 1hp grinder and stand. I also
got the contents of the dyno room with lots of cool tools. Can you help
identify the SnapOn box and vintage. I can only find #s on the back of
the top box that is KRA 510 and it also has a 65 after USA. Gotta love
the woodgrain on this one...


I'll post some more after I sort through this stuff.

 

[garfunkle24]

That's a cool auction you made it to, nice haul too! Sorry, can't help with the box ID.

 

[Theo]

Nice score. too bad you didn't get the dyno out of the dyno room.

 

[Ramblur]

Nice score. too bad you didn't get the dyno out of the dyno room.

Haha, I hear you,just didn't think the neighbors would appreciate it.
Iirc it went for $4 or $5 K, and was made in England,good for up to
1000 hp and had a SBC bolted on ready to go.

 

[Weedwaka]

Crane cams go belly up ??

 

[Elroy]

had a SBC bolted on ready to go.

Elroy finds that hard to believe. Why Crane never ground the first cam for a Chebby. Everyone knows and its common knowledge that all they did was development for Toyota ( That's a TuRD if you didn't know)

What a sad story

Oh, and by the way:

You ****

 

[Ramblur]

Crane cams go belly up ??

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34119

 

[Elroy]

Elroy likes the degree wheel. Instant collectors items!

 

[Kevins89notch]

DAMN, sure wish I would have known about that. I would have went.

 

[Ramblur]

Bump for any info or a place to look for this KRA 510 SO box. Guessing the
65 stamped after the USA would be the vintage and the "peace sign"
sticker on the bottom drawer would put it in that era,but the red/grey
color combo seems strange along with the wood veneers on the front.
Anybody have a catalog from 65 they could check/scan?

 

[fatfillup]

Can't help with the box ID but it sure is different. Please post some more pics and amounts paid so you can collect the correct amount of suckage.

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

Seldom see that Snap-On box with that woodgrain, and the ones I've seen are black/ red, not gray/red. Think the examples I've come across were '68 or '69 models??? One sold for $800-900, and that was without the matching middle box, never seen that one until your pic.

Definite score on that grinder.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

How much for the box?

 

[justinmc]

Thats a nice haul.... I really dig the box. I didn't even see the flyer on the Crane auction but I'd bet there was some neat stuff up for the bidding.

 

[Ramblur]

Finally finished sorting through this stuff.I gave $600 for the dyno room
contents,another $100 for near new pallet racking in the next room(8 sections).
$45 for a well used Cman drill press and $10 for the 1hp bench grinder.
When I pulled the drawers out of the tool box I discovered misc. receipts
from the late 60's from what I'd guess was the original owner.I see his name
engraved on some of the tools too,seems that he worked for Holman-Moody.
I googled the name and came up with a bunch of hits with regard to Olympic
bicycling race mechanics seminars.Another scrap of paper with a name,
address and phone # googled as a fuel racer from back then. Pretty cool
to find that window to its past. One thing that kinda pissed me off was that
I ended up with some equipment for the Spintron that somebody gave $40K
for.When I called the auction company to explain they refused to give me
any contact info on the Spintron buyer and said that if the buyer questioned
it that they would contact me. I really felt that they said that just to get
me off the phone and so far haven't heard a thing.

Anyway lotsa cool tools with this rather eclectic collection of Proto,Bonney,
Snap-On,Craftsman and one lone Plomb socket. The wood top benches are
nice too,now I just have to find spots to put it all and think I'll be refinishing
the Snap-On box at least somewhat. Here's some pics to share.


Neat tag on the bench grinder.

lotsa fittings

Somebody surely is looking for this...

Guessing this SO S8694 is specific for 11/16" head bolts.
Cman 3/8 locking extension is something I'd never seen.

benchfull

the other one

most everything

One lone Plomb

Cool stamp

under the drawers

 

[Brad54]

I wonder if those tools actually belonged to one of the guys that was locked out.

There was an R&D area right near the dyno room... would have been wall-to-wall Snap-on boxes (literally), a Bridgeport, a lathe, and a bandsaw that said "For aluminum only."

You wouldn't know if that room was empty when you got there, was it?

-Brad

 

[-B-]

Sadly Bill Woodul is no longer with us he was a great guy.

 

[Fins/413]

That drill looks like it would hurt you if you weren't paying attention. I'll give you a dollar for the degree wheel. LOL Cool stuff, but a sad way to get it.

 

[petty4243]

that is some very nice stuff... that craftsman locking extension... I have a set of 3 different sizes in 1/2 drive... believe late 70's through 80's... came in set i got from grand father....

good buys.... you gonna give us better pics of that snap on box... i am sure we all would like to see some more

 

[Ramblur]

I wonder if those tools actually belonged to one of the guys that was locked out.

There was an R&D area right near the dyno room... would have been wall-to-wall Snap-on boxes (literally), a Bridgeport, a lathe, and a bandsaw that said "For aluminum only."

You wouldn't know if that room was empty when you got there, was it?

-Brad

Brad, Some of those rooms were locked up during the preview.I never saw
the room you speak of and I know it wasn't part of the auction. Even when
we came back on fri. to collect our stuff everything was locked up tight,so
I can only hope that in this debacle nobody lost any personal belongings.
there were a few ex-employees hired by the auction to help out. Very
sad and weird vibe there before the auction seeing all the work in progress
and thinking that nobody knew that it was their last day. Personally sad
for me as Crane was the first catalog I ever bought on my own,clipping an
ad out of a magazine and sending some coins in an envelope. Check that,
I may have sent money to Roth first,but Crane was definitely the first
"hardware" catalog I got. Seems strange now even thinking
about having to pay $ for a catalog...

Sadly Bill Woodul is no longer with us he was a great guy.

I KNEW there would be somebody here that recognized that name. I have
other receipts from motorcycle shops in Long Beach in his name noting
C/O Holman Moody and HM employee. You think this is the same Mr.
Woodul? Bill Woodul is engraved on some of the tools too, specifically
a long bar with a fine thread stud in the center that I would guess was
screwed into a crankshaft snout and used to turn the crank during
shortblock assembly. I saw his name also on the stubby Bonney open
end wrench set that goes from 15/16" to 2". Do you know of anywhere
I might find some history on him? Bruce Eikelberger is another name that
turned up in the papers under the drawers.

That drill looks like it would hurt you if you weren't paying attention. I'll give you a dollar for the degree wheel. LOL Cool stuff, but a sad way to get it.

That drill... yes,I bid on LOTS of drill presses,probably everything short of
the gang drills and as soon as I stopped bidding they sold This one
came up toward the end and probably was the crappiest one there too,but
for 45$ with a stand,coolant pump and tank,etc I'm gonna try and revive
this ugly duck.

that is some very nice stuff... that craftsman locking extension... I have a set of 3 different sizes in 1/2 drive... believe late 70's through 80's... came in set i got from grand father....

Thanks for the info,If I've ever seen them before I don't recall but surely is
a nice piece for engine work.



good buys.... you gonna give us better pics of that snap on box... i am sure we all would like to see some more

Right now all the drawers are out and trying to decide what route to go
as far as cleaning/refinishing. Any ideas are welcome. It looks like its been
in the dyno room when more than a few engines expired... I'll get some
better pics tho.




Thanks to all. Jeff

 

[-B-]

Bill ran the national cycling teams for years and was also one of the first USCF mechanics http://www.yamaguchibike.com/content/History/Work_Experience one of his contemarorys.

BILL WOODUL (1942-1999)
Bill Woodul was a pioneer who created the concept of professional racing support in North America. Bill was the first person to see the need for a professional race mechanic and built the neutral support service industry in the process. Following a stint as an apprentice mechanic in Amsterdam, he returned to the U.S. and started the Campagnolo Neutral Support Program. Bill and his silver-blue van with the bubble top was a staple at all of the major cycling events in the U.S. during the 1970’s and ‘80’s. Hired by the USCF to serve as the Manager of National Team Support, Bill developed a program for the training and licensing of professional mechanics. A veteran of four Olympics and countless national and international events, it’s been said that every elite cyclist in the U.S. during his lifetime, benefited from his technical expertise.
His involvement in cycling took him to 42 different countries in support of racers. Bill’s lasting legacy is the Bill Woodul Licensing Center at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Aspiring trade team and neutral support mechanics learn the proper methods of race support and professionalism as they embark on a career in professional cycling. In February, 1999, Bill received the USA Cycling Lifetime Achievement Award, for his contributions to cycling. found here http://www.usbhof.com/inductees/2004.cfm

 

[Brad54]

Brad, Some of those rooms were locked up during the preview.I never saw
the room you speak of and I know it wasn't part of the auction. Even when
we came back on fri. to collect our stuff everything was locked up tight,so
I can only hope that in this debacle nobody lost any personal belongings.
there were a few ex-employees hired by the auction to help out. Very
sad and weird vibe there before the auction seeing all the work in progress
and thinking that nobody knew that it was their last day. Personally sad
for me as Crane was the first catalog I ever bought on my own,clipping an
ad out of a magazine and sending some coins in an envelope. Check that,
I may have sent money to Roth first,but Crane was definitely the first
"hardware" catalog I got. Seems strange now even thinking
about having to pay $ for a catalog...

Well that's good to know! I did a couple of stories with Ralph Johnson, the guy who inhabited that area I described. He's truly one of the most important people you've never heard of in the automotive hobby. He was on the original design team for the small block Chevy, helped design the tri-carb intake for the big block Corvette, designed the Holly Dominator, and worked for Smokey for a couple decades. His Snap-on dealer had an entire wing of his mansion dedicated to Ralph.

-Brad

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

I would like to see that mansion!

Adam

 

[Ramblur]

I shouldn't have muddied up Brad54's thread so I'll put it back over here on
my old thread. The box is restored back to as good as new condition
(maybe better).
Shown here as it again ventures back into its natural habitat.
(Cardboard John shown for a little scale and to demonstrate how
easy it is to see whats in the top compartment)

With a nod to history past and present here are the first two additions
to the newly refurbed box, the current issue of Garage next to the
July 1965 issue of Super Stock and Drag Illustrated.

My buddy that did the painting played around with some flattener to
get the gray to better match the sheen of the undisturbed paint on
the underside of the narrow drawers. The flash on my camera
really doesn't like that and skews the color a lot.

without flash

Casters were degreased,bead blasted,spray bombed and reassembled.
Even the tires were bead blasted(low pressure) and came out looking
new.

I guess next I'll be on the lookout for a 1965 Snap On catalog, but really
how cool would it be to find some old Holman-Moody or Crane Cams pics
that would show this box way back then? Time will tell.

Thanks too all the GJ members who have shared their rebuild projects
and drove me to do this. You ALL ****! And I mean that in the nicest
way possible.

I'll leave this with a pic of the shelving that I picked up at the auction
and some random shots of the box.

 

[billymade]

All I can say is "wow"; that is such a cool and unique box! You and your painter did a great job; I think the money you spent on the restoration, paid off! Great job and your very lucky to find such a unique box is such great shape; I have never seen one like it.... I'm thinking it much be a pretty rare box! I'm thinking in 1965; that must have been their top of the line toolbox they sold... can anyone confirm this? I would love to seen it in the 1965 Snap-On catalog!

 

[olds394]

That box is special.

 

[-B-]

That box is so cool

 

[billymade]

I'm wondering, if this was the 1st generation of Snap on dual drawer wide roll cabs?

 

[rallenc]

That sure is a beautiful box!

I've got a duplicate 67 catalog that shows the 3 pieces, but it shows them as the A model that is KRA-510A, KRA 520A and KRA500A. If you'd like it I'll it go for $15 shipped Priority Mail.

I know you may want the 65 catalog, just an offer.

Great to see an old box restored!

Roger

 

[heelsroll]

Brilliant!

 

[eborcim]

Good scores. Great job on restoring the box! I wonder if one of the automotive museums would be interested in your paperwork for an exhibit?

 

[porschedude996TT]

Very very sad...

My first cam was a Crane Fireball for a small block chevy that went in a '55 Chevy Hardtop and a BW T-10 4-speed.

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

All I can say is "wow"; that is such a cool and unique box! You and your painter did a great job; I think the money you spent on the restoration, paid off! Great job and your very lucky to find such a unique box is such great shape; I have never seen one like it.... I'm thinking it much be a pretty rare box! I'm thinking in 1965; that must have been their top of the line toolbox they sold... can anyone confirm this? I would love to seen it in the 1965 Snap-On catalog!

I agree, Double Wow!! The woodgrain reminds me of the type used in the top of the line 68-70 Dodge Charger SE and Plymouth GTX interiors.

 

[stock z/28]

Hello,


I would have say that is very impessive work!


I really like tool box, but I would never have guessed it was a sixties version. I dont "think" I have ever seen one before, and I was in a lot of dealerships in the late 60s and earlier 70s. That just makes it a lot neeter in my opinion.

I still have the first new Snap on box that I bought new in around 71. It is the one that has the side cabinet and a storage bin in the back.

Its "highly" modified now but its still going!


Great work.

 

[Packard V8]

Wonder if it could have been a custom or presentation model Snap-on made up for Harvey Crane. They featured Indy car builders and others in their ads. Still goes on today. Look at tool/box company web sites and they feature shops with TV/magazine publicity. Here's one. http://www.sharkstainless.com/media/ChipFoose_DonRidler_Mar05.asp

thnx, jack vines

 

[billymade]

I would contact Snap on public relations and see if they can get a history on the box or they might want to feature it in their magazine!

http://www.snapon.com/techmagazine/

IF you get a response; I would love to hear what they have to say about the history of this particular box!

 

[-B-]

The more I look at this box the more I want to have one
The box has such a great layout something sadly missing in production boxes today. ( not to mention style/ panache)

 

[Flash21]

The box has such a great layout something sadly missing in production boxes today. ( not to mention style/ panache)

x2 !! Love the drawer layout, very useful.

 

[Stuart in MN]

That's one of the coolest toolboxes I've ever seen, very nice job!

You know, Harvey Crane is still around: http://harveycrane.com/ He may be able to tell you something about its history. On the other hand, judging by his website, he's kind of bitter about the demise of his old company so may want to be careful about what you say if you call him.

 

[Flash21]

with all the posts on how cool it is, I wonder what that box is worth if you threw it up on ebay....