Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[BB767]

Thomas,

Thanks for taking time out of your day to give my daughter and me a tour of the barn, and a revisit of the original shop. I hope we didn't run you short on time to get Gus to his appointment. He's a pretty cool ol' Dude.
Lindsey asked a number of questions on our ride home last night so it was obvious she was impressed with your dedication and attention to detail. No, she wasn't bored at all. Remember; she's MY daughter. She knows what we're like.
The Gulf sign started the wheels turning. Now I'm on a mission to rewire a few of my lighted signs & clocks with LEDs! (Thanks Buddy. I needed to spend MORE money! )

Great to see you again.

Dennis

Thomas,

I believe this is the left gauge cluster for a '37 Ford (speedometer is on the right). I'll run to the garage and check mine but it sure looks familiar.

Same gauges; different graphics. Maybe a '36 or '38?

Dennis, the pleasure was all mine. Lindsey is charming and beyond patient! While you were driving to the barn with the outboard, she took a quick tour of the tool shed and seemed genuinely interested and just a little fascinated with all that old "stuff". She is her father's daughter after all!

Many thanks for pinning down the Ford instrument cluster to within a year or two. Great picture of the gauges in your '37. Most all the Ford components I've found have had a certain quality feeling to their style and manufacture. While they were inexpensive I'd say they weren't cheap. Built to last.

Good luck with the LED conversions. They are much safer and cheaper to operate. See you in the staging lanes at the Super Car Reunion drag races next year.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

The funny looking chrome trim looks like some old rear fender lips Thomas. You've got some interesting finds there and if you were closer I'd try and talk you out of that Keller saw for my shop.

charlief1 that was my exact impression also. It's not the best picture of them I admit. What I was wondering if items with pitting like that would be worth trying to take the time to ID or just throw them out on eBay and let the buyers figure out what they belong to? There is just so much material out there it would be a daunting task to ID all of it.

Ah, the Keller power hacksaw. My brother had one for years and used it all the time. It wasn't all that fast but once you set it up, you just walk away from it until it's done cutting. As beefy as they are I don't think you can kill them. I'm slowly working my way to it. It has a turn of the century vibe to it and is an old, cool tool for sure. Once I get a close up examination I'll better be able to determine what I might do with it. Stay tune on that one.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I wont repost all the pictures just to say "Great finds" Looks like an adventure every day.

Not only is it an adventure every day Brian, sometimes every hour in the Tool Shed! I really have no idea what will turn up every time I'm out there. I continue to make progress however. The majority of what remains I can lift by myself, I don't need a helping hand or power equipment to lift most items.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Here's a handy website for identifying instrument panels, gauge clusters, clocks and radios. They also have a link to another site for identifying taillights. https://sites.google.com/site/identifyinginstrumentpanels/

Stuart, that's exactly what I need to ID all the instruments and tail lights I've got out there. That Ford cluster is from a 1938 just as Dennis suspected. Once again you guys have made a terrific contribution to the usefulness of this thread. Many thanks my friend for those links!

Thomas

 

[charlief1]

charlief1 that was my exact impression also. It's not the best picture of them I admit. What I was wondering if items with pitting like that would be worth trying to take the time to ID or just throw them out on eBay and let the buyers figure out what they belong to? There is just so much material out there it would be a daunting task to ID all of it.

Ah, the Keller power hacksaw. My brother had one for years and used it all the time. It wasn't all that fast but once you set it up, you just walk away from it until it's done cutting. As beefy as they are I don't think you can kill them. I'm slowly working my way to it. It has a turn of the century vibe to it and is an old, cool tool for sure. Once I get a close up examination I'll better be able to determine what I might do with it. Stay tune on that one.

Thomas

After a very quick search I found this for you Thomas. I've used 1 of those saws many years ago and they work well but the blades are getting hard to find. The neat thing about the blades is when they're worn out you can sharpen them up and use them as knives. Kinda like forging a file inot a kitchen knife.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2114

 

[Sweet Old Bill]

Thomas,

Thanks for the kind words. Trust me, I am in the process of sending 2 "hats" to Iowa for the Walkers. My Beautiful Bride said that might be my "only redeeming trait". The nerve of that Beautiful Lady. I am almost as lucky as you!

 

[BB767]

A STAR is born.............or not????????? Be sure your speakers are turned up..........or not.

I guess I shouldn't quite my day job huh?

Humble Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

Thomas Nicely done. Did you get any commison for the sales pitch .

 

[Vernmotor]

Movie Star !!!!! I knew it was coming LOL

 

[ZRX61]

Ah, the Keller power hacksaw. My brother had one for years and used it all the time. It wasn't all that fast but once you set it up, you just walk away from it until it's done cutting. As beefy as they are I don't think you can kill them. I'm slowly working my way to it. It has a turn of the century vibe to it and is an old, cool tool for sure. Once I get a close up examination I'll better be able to determine what I might do with it. Stay tune on that one.

Thomas

Well here's some encouragement to do the right thing:

As/where found...

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/185133_3702983505949_609475622_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578282_3702983705954_2138201063_n.jpg

A few days later:

 

[hobbitss]

charlief1 that was my exact impression also. It's not the best picture of them I admit. What I was wondering if items with pitting like that would be worth trying to take the time to ID or just throw them out on eBay and let the buyers figure out what they belong to? There is just so much material out there it would be a daunting task to ID all of it.

Ah, the Keller power hacksaw. My brother had one for years and used it all the time. It wasn't all that fast but once you set it up, you just walk away from it until it's done cutting. As beefy as they are I don't think you can kill them. I'm slowly working my way to it. It has a turn of the century vibe to it and is an old, cool tool for sure. Once I get a close up examination I'll better be able to determine what I might do with it. Stay tune on that one.

Thomas

What Color Powder Coating???

 

[oberst]

These are a hoot to watch.

Nice resto.....too pretty to use!

 

[impala4speed]

A STAR is born.............or not????????? Be sure your speakers are turned up..........or not.

I guess I shouldn't quite my day job huh?

Humble Thomas

That is very,very cool Thomas. Hollywood should be calling any day now. Maybe a new remake of Route 66. Except instead of you and some other guy, how about you and Chris traveling cross country in the Vette? Hey, this would be a good reason for me to start watching TV again.

 

[bryna]

Thomas,

Thanks for the color on the walkers... NIC stands for???

Sweet Old Bill is taking care of my Walkers too... what a great man! If either of you ever get out to Iowa please stop in.

Bryan

 

[BB767]

Thomas,

Thanks for the color on the walkers... NIC stands for???

Sweet Old Bill is taking care of my Walkers too... what a great man! If either of you ever get out to Iowa please stop in.

Bryan

It stands for..........ummmmmm............http://www.nicindustries.com/about.php

I've read it all and I'm still stumped?? Still waiting on confirmation of the name of the color.

Perplexed Thomas

OH and one more thing; Bill's user name is quite appropriate. He is a sweet guy and I mean that in the most manly sense! I was honored to have him come visit the shop.

 

[tkbowman]

That Keller is SUPER cool. Great find!

 

[Kevin54]

Thomas... an interesting little read about Sperry Gyroscope co, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/sperry_hi.html

 

[StretchCt]

Phew! Made it to the end before page #300. I have learnt a lot. I too should have thought of Led lighting. I have also learnt about book binding, obscure tools, barn construction (mostly brick and concrete here), tool and equipment preservation and, most of all, what can be achieved if you keep at it. Thanks Tom, Chris and all contributors. Now to find that tin of blue Hammerite for those old jacks......

 

[markviii]

Has to be either Tom or me who turns over to page 300. Tom's off to his "day job" and might not make it for this landmark page turning. So here we go. Now for the continuing (rest) of the story...

Chris

P.S.
A thanks has to go out to Ryan for allowing this thread to keep expanding. I'm sure many new people have been brought to GJ. Tom never envisioned the longevity of the thread. Tom and I certainly enjoy the camaraderie here; we've made lots of of new friends and have actually met a fair number of them in person.

Keep studying!

 

[charlief1]

Well since you got the 300th page post Thomas can get the 6000 post in 18 more Chris.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Chris, I still can't believe that Thomas does indeed have a "day job" and still is able to accomplish all that he has! Does he know what 'sleep' is? lol

Thank you both for your efforts here at GJ; we've definitely been happy passengers on 'Thomas's Flight of Fancy' to the 'Center of the Universe'.

 

[bluestripe67]

We post among the stars! Nice video clip Thomas, but someone is missing I think. Dennis

 

[PKAero]

Well here's some encouragement to do the right thing:

As/where found...

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/185133_3702983505949_609475622_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578282_3702983705954_2138201063_n.jpg

A few days later:

Whats the story behind the radial con rods in the background?

 

[the Leewit]

I loved the little video about the Morton building! Tom, you sound just like I "hear" you when I read this thread, and it delighted me enough to draw me out of lurk mode to say a sheepish little hello. I read somewhere upwards of 100 pages of the thread late last year, and returned for another hundred-plus while on maternity leave these past three months, desperate for engaging things to read while pinned down with a voracious nursling.

Although it seems there's always something new and interesting to grab my attention here, your 60's-era cars really endear you to me. My husband had a '66 Coronet for a daily driver for a number of years (the car was 15 years older than him), and I still own my dad's '65 Pontiac 2+2, which I'm hoping we'll have drivable by the time this wee baby of mine is old enough to get behind the wheel!

 

[bluestripe67]

Thomas, As I said somewhere before; you got my attention. Today I went out to one of several re-purpose places around Wash DC, and purchased three very nice matching oak cabinets with doors for $18.00 They are of the dimensions that fit my plan for the garage. I'll still have too build some for specific use/fitment. Sooo...things are underway. Dennis

 

[BB767]

After a very quick search I found this for you Thomas. I've used 1 of those saws many years ago and they work well but the blades are getting hard to find. The neat thing about the blades is when they're worn out you can sharpen them up and use them as knives. Kinda like forging a file inot a kitchen knife.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2114

charlief1, thank you for the link. I'm a member of that vintagemachinery forum site. Those are a bunch of extremely knowledgeable and nice fellows over there. I loved the old, vintage ad for the Keller.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas Nicely done. Did you get any commison for the sales pitch .

Movie Star !!!!! I knew it was coming LOL

HOTFR8 that's not a sales pitch, rather it's "testimonial". Sales pitch you would get paid, testimonial, not so much.

Movie Star?, they left my best material on the editing room floor! And here I was getting my Oscar acceptance speech all ready. Geez, I coulda' been a contender!! Next time......

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Well here's some encouragement to do the right thing:


A few days later:

Rick, as always, you do such nice work. Beautiful.
BTW, I'm still saving the anvil for your expert touch.

Thanks for sharing.


Thomas

 

[BB767]

Chris, I still can't believe that Thomas does indeed have a "day job"..........

Yes I do, I am gainfully employed. Down in Brazil at present but my heart is still in TCOTU .

Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTFR8 that's not a sales pitch, rather it's "testimonial". Sales pitch you would get paid, testimonial, not so much.

Thomas

You missed what I said as in jest, yes a great testamonial. The company would not have asked you to do that if they did not like all you have done.
Still your testamonial must help sell many more.

 

[charlief1]

Rick, as always, you do such nice work. Beautiful.
BTW, I'm still saving the anvil for your expert touch.

Thanks for sharing.

Thomas

Since you brought the anvil up again and Christmas is coming, it would be a great time to do some anvil shooting. New Years Eve would be better but it really is a good time to make a little noise.

 

[BB767]

I loved the little video about the Morton building! Tom, you sound just like I "hear" you when I read this thread, and it delighted me enough to draw me out of lurk mode to say a sheepish little hello. I read somewhere upwards of 100 pages of the thread late last year, and returned for another hundred-plus while on maternity leave these past three months, desperate for engaging things to read while pinned down with a voracious nursling.

Although it seems there's always something new and interesting to grab my attention here, your 60's-era cars really endear you to me. My husband had a '66 Coronet for a daily driver for a number of years (the car was 15 years older than him), and I still own my dad's '65 Pontiac 2+2, which I'm hoping we'll have drivable by the time this wee baby of mine is old enough to get behind the wheel!

I thought Chris might jump in here but since they saw fit to let me re-enter the country, it looks as if I have the honor. the Leewit, a most hardy welcome to you. Clearly you've attempted to resist the vortex and finally realized resistance is futile. Whether killing time on an oil rig or up in the middle of the night with "a voracious nursling" I guess this thread is a good way to kill time.

I'm certain Chris won't mine you admitting how endearing I am to you but does your husband know about this? Confession is good for the soul and all but I don't know if doing so in such a public way is such a good idea. Be that as it may it sounds as if he's one lucky guy, plus look at the swell dowry he got by marrying you; a cool '65 Pontiac 2+2. Best of luck getting it road ready for your youngster and what great parents you are for thinking that far ahead. Get 'em started early I always say.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Well since you got the 300th page post Thomas can get the 6000 post in 18 more Chris.

Nice thought charlief1, but I'm likely to be at 37,000' over the equator in the middle of the night when that happens.

This thread just continues to roll along doesn't it? Thanks everyone for your interest and support.

Thomas

 

[charlief1]

4 more to the 6000th post Thomas. Hopefully you can get that post.

 

[the Leewit]

I thought Chris might jump in here but since they saw fit to let me re-enter the country, it looks as if I have the honor. the Leewit, a most hardy welcome to you. Clearly you've attempted to resist the vortex and finally realized resistance is futile. Whether killing time on an oil rig or up in the middle of the night with "a voracious nursling" I guess this thread is a good way to kill time.

I'm certain Chris won't mine you admitting how endearing I am to you but does your husband know about this? Confession is good for the soul and all but I don't know if doing so in such a public way is such a good idea. Be that as it may it sounds as if he's one lucky guy, plus look at the swell dowry he got by marrying you; a cool '65 Pontiac 2+2. Best of luck getting it road ready for your youngster and what great parents you are for thinking that far ahead. Get 'em started early I always say.

Thomas

Ha! Never to worry, he knows. I'm trying to remember way back then but I'm pretty sure it was him who showed me the thread to begin with. I stuck with it though, and every now and again I drag him to my computer screen to show him something from here that I think he'll find particularly interesting. He, like me and most of the rest of the people populating your thread, has a great appreciation for most things vintage, and loves seeing those things restored to their former glory. I hope we're able to instill this value in my darling son as well.

At any rate thanks for the incredibly interesting reading material. I love learning about things I'd never otherwise get a glimpse into, and seeing all the interesting cars! I'm like Joe with tools when it comes to the cars.

 

[gfc62]

and I still own my dad's '65 Pontiac 2+2, which I'm hoping we'll have drivable by the time this wee baby of mine is old enough to get behind the wheel!

Hold on to that 2+2, that car is an icon to Pontiac fans, mainly because of Car and Driver's coverage in the mid-60s including the famous road test where a 65 2+2 posted the fastest-ever 0-60 time of any car they reviewed that decade, 3.9 seconds! Of course rumor has it that 2+2 was a specially modified ringer but even so, 3.9 seconds is pretty impressive for such a large car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_2+2

Gordon

 

[BB767]

Hold on to that 2+2, that car is an icon to Pontiac fans, mainly because of Car and Driver's coverage in the mid-60s including the famous road test where a 65 2+2 posted the fastest-ever 0-60 time of any car they reviewed that decade, 3.9 seconds! Of course rumor has it that 2+2 was a specially modified ringer but even so, 3.9 seconds is pretty impressive for such a large car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_2+2

There is a beautifully restored '65 2+2 racing in our Pure Stock Drag Racing program. I have a couple of pictures of it but since I'm "on the road" so to speak I can't access them right now to post. I'll do so once I finally make it home. It's a quick car all right........... but 0-60 in 3.9, only Royal Pontiac had "pure stock cars" that quick.

Thanks gfc62 for bringing that up for those not familiar with the Car and Driver article. I managed to read about it when that issue hit the news stand and it left a lasting impression on me, even today.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

It looks as if the honor of the 6,000th post(!!) of this thread belongs to me. Who knew? An appropriate subject might relate somewhat directly to Mr Johnson and more specifically one of his grandsons. This grandson's father, the oldest of Mr Johnson's 5 boys, also happened to be the owner of the...



... Terraplane that we all know and love so much.

Every year the Johnson family has a very large family reunion in Philo that Chris and I have been invited to since we bought the property. This last fall at the latest reunion, I was talking with one of Mr Johnson's grandsons and the discussion centered around the V8-60 flat head engine. He asked whatever became of it because growing up, he had been told about a "special" flat head engine that was going to be rebuilt in the shop soon and of course that rebuild got started but it was never finished.



He knew the almost exact spot where I found it many decades later as seen above. He had only gotten a glimpse of it back in the 1960's before it got buried underneath other, um, material shall we say. While talking with him I got the distinct impression that engine held a childhood fascination with him, especially when he found out I hadn't "junked" it and in fact it still existed. I quickly realized he should become the new owner of it. As with Jacob and the "Y" manifold, the look on his face was priceless. He couldn't really explain why, but that engine and the stories he heard about it, meant more to him than anything else in or around the shop. So...



...a couple of weeks ago...



...all the various pieces and parts...





...were all gathered up...



...and ownership was..



...was transferred to him. When I asked if I could get a photograph of him with the engine he wished he had on his best "bib and tucker".



So his truck was backed up to the barn and...



...everything was off to a new home, but still in the family. He has his Dad's '34 Chrysler roadster that needs some attention and is thinking this flat head might be a suitable power plant for it as well, even if it is a Ford. Photographs of it are in the works, stand by...

An interesting side note, his Dad was the real photographer in the family, both 35mm still and 8mm movies. He's pretty certain there are several photographs still in existence that his Dad took of the shop as well as additional 8mm movies that he'll get to me to copy and post. He also has a picture of the "Y" manifold when it was installed on that '34 Chrysler for a short while.

So more "new" old material is still surfacing about the old "Restored 1930's Auto Shop". A big thank you to everyone who, for the last 5,999 posts, have shown remarkable support and provided additional material that has made this thread so interesting and informative. The saga continues...........

Respectful Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

So with post 6001 I can say it is still an interesting read and the story is still unfolding.

 

[Laro13]

Wow!!! Thomas, that was a worthy 6000th post.

Nice to see that the engine will be used in the "family" again.

Thomas, thank you again for all those nice/great story's.

I hope we can enjoy these for a long time.


gr, Jasper