Old Western Auto Catalog

[Art Newland]

A buddy gave me this old Western Auto catalog, thought I might want to put it on the shelf in my coupe just for fun. Any idea if it's the real deal, or maybe some kind of reproduction. Very little model A stuff listed, lots of T stuff.

[Bob C]

Could be a reprint, see link. http://www.reddickmilitaria.com/us-m...-western-auto/

Bob

[old car guy]

I have quite a few old catalogs similar to this one from western auto from the twenties and early thirties.it appears to be the real deal. They are not worth a whole lot of money and western auto really did not start selling the stuff for model As for about three years after introduction.
I worked for them from 1963 to 1971 and they had just about any thing you needed for any car from about 1925 to 1965 at really great prices. We used to special order from Kansas city a rebuilt model A motor for just about 185.00 plus your old core no core you added 15.00 And Davis tires lasted just about forever I know people who are still driving their A with tires from western auto . Enjoy the catalog the prices from it will never be seen by the current generation, darn shame

[Art Newland]

I'd sure like to pick up a set of these "splitdorf" spark plugs.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

I'd sure like to pick up a set of these "splitdorf" spark plugs.

I wanted to collect spark plugs, until I saw how much many of the rare ones sell for.

They sure had a good variety of them in the old days.
I always like the ones with the clear center where you could see the spark jump.

[Big hammer]

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My dad opened Western Auto store in1954, the year I was born. I started workkin the store in the early 60's, after I assembled a wagon for my younger brother. It was his 5th birthday and I was 5yrs and 10 mo old. Changing auto tires on a manual machine when I was really to small! My first brake job was on a 67 chevy store truck at 14 or 15. Thanks for bringing up past memories!

[mhsprecher]

This thread prompted me to look up Western Auto. We had one in my small home town. My recollection is that the Wizard brand tools were pretty cheap and poor quality at the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Auto

[Dick Steinkamp]

Here's a 31 catalog to add to your collection...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1931...-/131928320108

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

This thread prompted me to look up Western Auto. We had one in my small home town. My recollection is that the Wizard brand tools were pretty cheap and poor quality at the time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Auto

I still have 95% of my first tool collection, broke 18" 1/2 drive breaker bar with a 3' cheater pipe(my fault), 9/16 deep socket, 3/8 universal, and screw drivers used as punchs/pry bars. The wizard brand where made in USA, later WA came out with westline brand and where made over seas. My collection now has WA,Snap on,Sears,Matco?,but my go to set is Metrich! now. The Wizard tools chrome have not peeled off, open end wrenches are still tight! I have worn out the ratchets and now no rebuild kits available. I am still defending 45 years later on a defunct business! Thanks for bringing back memories:-)

[Roger V]

Somewhere I have a 1929 Western Auto catalog. As mentioned it has mostly Model T parts. When you think about it, Model A's were relatively new so probably didn't need many parts until later.

My dad wanted to be his own boss and get out of ceramic engineering so he opened a Western Auto store in St. Marys, Ohio in 1953. As a kid in elementary school, I didn't get to play like my friends after school. I was stocking shelves, waiting on customers, assembling lawn mowers and bicycles, etc. It was the wrong town that Western Auto corporate pushed as the main employer was a Goodyear industrial rubber plant who gave employees a discount at the local Goodyear company store. Dad went back to engineering for Borg Warner four losing years later. At least he tried it to know. All I have left is a Wizard steel tool box. Ironically, we stopped in St. Marys last October on the way back to Michigan from the south. The old store is vacated with a "For Rent" sign like many other downtown buildings. Sign of the times!

[JohnLaVoy]

I have a Western Auto catalog from 1934 has quite a bit of A stuff.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Western Auto and Coast to Coast were two excellent hardware stores, and I miss them both.
Even Gambles was good, and now all 3 are gone.

[eagle]

Any reproduction catalogs I've seen usually have a print date inside the front cover. Not that I've looked at very many. I've got catalogs from the 70's when I was a kid. Fun to look at now and then.

[37Benny]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

A buddy gave me this old Western Auto catalog, thought I might want to put it on the shelf in my coupe just for fun. Any idea if it's the real deal, or maybe some kind of reproduction. Very little model A stuff listed, lots of T stuff.

fellow collector Benny

[updraught]

The radio advert from 1931 is interesting.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4-YAAO...yo/s-l1600.jpg

[Flathead]

I've owned my Wizard adjustable wrench over 50 years and we share a lot of great memories. I always look for Wizard tools at swap meets.

[Bob-A]

I've got an original Western Auto catalog titled:

1929 Ford Owners' Supply Book

It contains parts and accessories for all modes of cars. With a reduced
price section for Fords. Which are mostly if not all for Model-T's. The book is a good reference for identifying hood ornaments, lights, camping gear, etc.
from back in the good 'ol days!

Bob-A