Wher are all these N O S Hoses coming from?

[Roadster62]

I'll just NEVER understand why anyone would want to use hoses and tires that are 83 years old.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

I'll just NEVER understand why anyone would want to use hoses and tires that are 83 years old.

When it comes to judging a Model A/AA Ford at a National MARC/MAFCA Meet it is called "POINTS"!

Pluck

[LukeDahlinger]

How come no one has made an accurate set of reproduction hoses? I assume cost?

It doesn't look like it would be too hard of a project.

[Special Coupe Frank]

Actually, spiral wrapped hose is still being made ( or it was recently ); I was very surprised to find it at my local mom'n'pop auto store a few years back... believe it was Goodyear ?

I imagine most folks selling striped "Model A hose" are getting the modern stuff, and applying a red stripe to it...

[LukeDahlinger]

I have some Gates hoses on one of my non Model A old cars are they are spiral wrapped, but the cording isn't as large as original Model A hose cording.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by Roadster62

I'll just NEVER understand why anyone would want to use hoses and tires that are 83 years old.

Do you understand the characteristics of natural rubber?


The 2nd part of this is something you just need to have a facination with. For example, some folks are infatuated by spending a whole day walking around a mowed cow pasture using a "high-dollar stick" to hit a little white ball into a hole in the ground. Others spend huge amounts of money on a boat, and then huge amounts of time trying to catch a fish only to let the little guy go when they reel him in to the boat. For some it is the challenge to replicate exactly how something was originally manufactured.

Having been on both sides of the fence I am of the opinion that it is WAY more difficult to restore an automobile accurately than it is to build a street rod or to assemble a Model A like many people do. Some folks may ask why bother, ...and for many it is the challenge of finding an original part (just like tracking a deer or a school of fish), --of finding a way to return an item to the exact specifications & appearance as it was originally manufactured.

Now to some folks, it is an utter waste of time to ride around in a field hitting at a golf ball only to chase it and do it again. For me, driving a Model A by myself gets really boring after about 30 minutes. Some might think that is crazy but I am 50 years old and all of my life from an infant up, I have been around Model A's either riding in them or (for the past 35 years) driving them with frequency HOWEVER what does still cause enjoyment for me is repairing/restoring Model A's. Other people are the same way in that they don't necessarily enjoy driving them as much as just restoring them, ...and restoring them accurately & authentically. The reason for "accurately & authentically" is because of the challenges it poses, and degree of difficulty it creates for the person doing the restoration. I trust this allows you to understand the "why" now.

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[Wick]

Go over to your local Napa store,they have sprial wrap hoses in stock here. There plain black.
Wick

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Wick

Go over to your local Napa store,they have sprial wrap hoses in stock here. There plain black.
Wick

I have spent more than just a few hours at my local NAPA store sorting through hoses trying to find hoses that will work in street rod applications. Even though they do carry a spiral-wrapped hose, these hoses do not share the same appearance when compared to an original hose. I realize "exact" means different things to different folks however the hoses I have seen at NAPA do not share the same aesthetics as the original hoses.

.
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[Roadster62]

I guess I should qualify my original post, or maybe there should be some note or implied understanding that only "FINE POINT" restorations are tolerated on this Forum. Driving on a tour with 83 year old tires isn't something I'd feel safe doing, blowing an 83 year old radiator hose wouldn't be fun either. I don't think you'll see too many restored Classics at Pebble Beach with original tires and hoses, then again there won't be any Model A's there either.

Originally Posted by Roadster62

I'll just NEVER understand why anyone would want to use hoses and tires that are 83 years old.

[jkcrosson]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

I guess I should qualify my original post, or maybe there should be some note or implied understanding that only "FINE POINT" restorations are tolerated on this Forum. Driving on a tour with 83 year old tires isn't something I'd feel safe doing, blowing an 83 year old radiator hose wouldn't be fun either. I don't thin you'll see too many restored Classics at Pebble Beach with original tires and hoses, then again there won't be any Model A's there either.

I don't think Brent or anyone else is implying that only fine point restorations are tolerated in this forum. You expressed that you did not understand why and Brent is explaining why "some" people strive for this level in their restoration. I am not one of those people but can appreciate someone's hard work in putting a car back with as many NOS Parts as possible.

[85930tudor]

Brent that was a great explanation of why people restore A`s correctly.It is the hunt, the challenge and satisfaction at the end of the day.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Craig Lewis

I picked these up from various sources & wondered if anyone could explain the variations?.

1) spiral spacing is closer together on orange upper.
2) spiral direction is different as well on orange upper, but matches the one's previously posted.
3) one upper is distinctly brown. Cutting a fine sliver off one end reveals the colour is through & through (ruling out fading)

The stripe color varies a little on my collection of hoses however your "brown" stripe is more extreme than any of mine. The spiral wrapping DID vary quite a bit. The pattern even varies among the hoses in my original box of four upper hoses although they are all the same direction.

It's important to note that the spiral "wrapping" is not a functional part of the hose. The spiral pattern you see on the hose is actually just an imprint from the mold lining.

[FL&WVMIKE]

Marco Tahtaras .................
In my box of upper hoses, (see entry #8) they are all the same, except the width of the red stripe varies as much as 1/8" !
I bought my box at Hershey, in the early 70s. Back then, we didn't buy stuff as collectables, but to use. Luckily, I never used any of mine. I went for brand new black hoses.
I believe that they could be used. They are stiff, but not to the point that they would crack.
The vendor might have had several boxes.
I paid $5.00 for my box.
MIKE

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

I guess I should qualify my original post, or maybe there should be some note or implied understanding that only "FINE POINT" restorations are tolerated on this Forum. Driving on a tour with 83 year old tires isn't something I'd feel safe doing, blowing an 83 year old radiator hose wouldn't be fun either. I don't think you'll see too many restored Classics at Pebble Beach with original tires and hoses, then again there won't be any Model A's there either.

In all true honestly, with that statement I doubt you have ever been to Pebble or I think you would know there are extremely rare one-off classics that are 100% totally original. As far as seeing a Model A there, since era-authentic hot rods are invited now, you will see a Model A on the grounds too.

The biggest thing that I think many people tend to overlook or not understand is that building an authentic car is not always abut bolting on NOS parts. More often than not, it is the "art" of returning an original component back to original specifications and aestethics where it is functional and indistinguishable from a like item manufactured 83 years ago. Naturally some people do not have the ability (i.e: lack of equipment, knowledge, patience, etc.) to do this so they turn to using reproduction parts. For someone that is resourceful and can do it in their own garage as a hobby, often times it is cheaper to "restore" than it is to "replace"!

Another point that many do not realize is when most classic cars are restored authentically, generally speaking the owner and/or the restoration shop are not quibbling over spending $300 for a water hose like some here, because they accept spending $3,000 to tool-up to have a small run of correct hoses manufactured. The same mindset applies to making body panels, fenders, wood, etc. throughout the entire vehicle. A friend of mine in Wisconsin recently made a new rear fender for a 40's Packard from scratch (pictured below). It looked great when Steve was finished. The price was about $3,500.00 and the owner was tickled because an NOS was over double that price. When I explain this someone always tries to make a remark that a Packard will bring WAY more money when it is restored. I quickly agree with them and then explain that the cars cost WAY more to restore authentically too so it all balances out. The difference is the mindset of the two owners and what they perceive as a value.

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[Craig Lewis]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

I guess I should qualify my original post, or maybe there should be some note or implied understanding that only "FINE POINT" restorations are tolerated on this Forum. Driving on a tour with 83 year old tires isn't something I'd feel safe doing, blowing an 83 year old radiator hose wouldn't be fun either. I don't think you'll see too many restored Classics at Pebble Beach with original tires and hoses, then again there won't be any Model A's there either.

How often do you hear of a hose BLOWING with a non-pressurized cooling system?
While I share your view on not running original tires (risk of lives) the hoses are a whole different issue.
...Really they're nothing more than a passageway to direct hot water.
Judging from the numerous tattered, oil softened and "friction-taped" hoses which I've removed from old engines ...I'm betting my hard NOS hoses will stand up fine to everyday use. I will certainly keep an eye on them, but I intend to use & enjoy them.

[oliverguy]

I think it's interesting that so much time is spent trying to find something old stock like a hose for fords. To each their own. People pass up orphan cars because you can't get parts anymore and have to make everything. I like model A's because I can call brattons and have what ever I want for the car by the weekend. I'll agree the repro parts are not as good as the orginals, but a hose? Wouldn't the effort be better spent to try and rescue a strange orphan car and put it back on the road, that nit pick a car they made thousands of?

And why on earth would someone hord a part that they will never use, just for it to be sold when they die? Someone else could have benefitted the entire time, why not sell it and let someone else use it.

It just seems crazy, that's all.

[Roadster62]

Are there more or less than 50 "Fine Point" restorations underway at this time, and how long has the NOS parts quest been underway? Will the owners live long enough to see the finished project?

[31Tudor]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Are there more or less than 50 "Fine Point" restorations underway at this time, and how long has the NOS parts quest been underway? Will the owners live long enough to see the finished project?

Why does it seem like you are just throwing stones at people who are working on Fine Point Restorations? If it is not your thing or your interest why care? I am aware of at least 15 restorations going on and that is just my small world. Brent said it perfect on page one. Some people ENJOY it!

[Pickupman]

Very well said 31Tudor!!! I agree 100%

[LukeDahlinger]

I can appreciate both fine point and driver quality restorations. Myself I like to go right in the middle of the two groups.

Likely the purist in me talking.