members that have collected other car besides ford

[FrankWest]

Any members that have restored makes of antique cars besides fords. How do you compare your experience with restoration of a ford.

[TonyM]

I used to collect early 70s Cadillacs.

These are nice cars but are not as fun as a pre war V-8 Ford.

I have another Cadillac and another Buick (and another Ford) in my future.

[FrankWest]

I always wanted a 1967 Cadillac. I would imagine parts should be around for those, right?

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

I always wanted a 1967 Cadillac. I would imagine parts should be around for those, right?

Yes, I like those too. Stacked headlights and those beautiful vertical tail lights.

[HDowse]

I have a 1946 GMC 1/2 ton pickup that had a cosmetic restoration but nothing done mechanically to restore even the the basics. The transmission was 'noisy in 1st and 2nd but quieter in high'. Turns out the tranny was rusted, the brakes needed full replacement, and on and on. What I found out is the Chevy/GMC vendors can't compare to our many excellent Ford vendors. Also, as a general rule, the parts were way more expensive, sometimes by a factor of two, than what we buy for our Fords. As luck would have it, a one owner '37 V8 pickup in unrestored condition followed me home last month so the GMC will have to find another home so I can stay all Ford.

[deuce_roadster]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have actually had more Chevrolets then Fords. While never restoring any to be judged, I have had many that I made very nice. I have 2 today, a 55 convertible (my 16th 55 chevy) and a 57 FI corvette (my second vette, had a 63 split window I sold in 1970 for 2k!)
I find the old Fords while I love how they look and love the flatheads, I think they are harder to work on. I have 5 old Fords and 2 old Chevs and that isn't going to change anytime soon.

[FrankWest]

I recently saw a 1933 terraplane 8 that looked interesting. But I can't imagine where one would go for parts for that thing. The fords offer a wealth of parts and info that is just not available anywhere else. I know of a guy that is still looking for a fuel pump for a 33 packard after 8 years.

[Kube]

I've restored two pre WWII Buicks. The Buicks were (are) far better quality and way ahead in engineering - amazingly so. Of course, they were about 2 1/2 times the cost of a Ford so one should expect a better car.
The restoration process? Just a bit more complicated than a Ford. But, I suppose that's to be expected due to the advanced (comparatively) engineering / design.

[super flat]

I have a 40 Pontiac Coupe that is a Hot Rod and my wife calls it Hers!

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Any members that have restored makes of antique cars besides fords. How do you compare your experience with restoration of a ford.

1966 Corvette 427 Coupe for me! Restoration is more complex because it has independent rear suspension, factory Air Conditioning, PS, PB, PW, telescopic wheel etc.!

[Eagle43]

My 1952 F1 pickup is my first Ford restoration. Previous to this I have done complete restorations on a 1930 Essex sedan, a 1926 Chevrolet Touring sedan, and a 1929 Willys Whippet sedan. The main advantage of non-Fords is that you have something unique or different whereas Fords are really common. The main disadvantage is that parts are relatively rare and hard to find but there is a support base or club for almost every make where you can get advice and help. For a Ford you can buy pretty well any part you need new or used at a relatively reasonable price. This forum is very active compared to forums for other makes.

[PeteVS]

I have a '63 Corvette split window coupe that I bought in '66. I drove it 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year and stuck it in a garage in late '70. In '98, my son was graduating from college and I dragged the Corvette out of the garage, took the body off and did a complete redo of the chassis. The body went back on with original paint, interior and dirt in the fender wells. Now, I'm doing an AV8 from parts. (There was no actual A that gave up its life for my project.) In some ways the Corvette was easier because there wasn't any innovation required like I'm running into with the Ford. With the Ford, there was lots of work just figuring out a new K member for hydraulics with a good pedal to cylinder leverage ratio, hydraulic lines, tube shocks, engine fire wall issues, etc, etc.

[Branded]

Originally Posted by Kube

I've restored two pre WWII Buicks. The Buicks were (are) far better quality and way ahead in engineering - amazingly so. Of course, they were about 2 1/2 times the cost of a Ford so one should expect a better car.
The restoration process? Just a bit more complicated than a Ford. But, I suppose that's to be expected due to the advanced (comparatively) engineering / design.

I perform all the maintenance and repairs on this 33 Buick that a friend owns.

[Branded]

Other than my 40 Sedan I also own a 1955 Chevy Bel Air hardtop, 1954 Ford F100, and a 1949 Dodge Wayferer Roadster Sportabout. I’ve restored close to 20 cars for myself over the last 40 years.

[cas3]

i've had lots of stuff. started out with chevys, a 36 std was my 1st car,drove it thru high school. 27 ford was next, 29 ford after that. it was easy to figure out you could buy anything you wanted for a ford, and almost nothing for a chevy. thru the years i was a tri 5 chevy guy for a while, you can get parts for them. next up was my ww2 craze. i had 11 halftracks at one time, mostly wrecks but i did restore an autocar m3. also had nearly every dodge wc variety except for an ambulance, two t16 universal carriers, and even an m7b1 gun motor carriage, same as a sherman hull but with a fixed 105 howitzer instead of a turret. never got it done and was offered too much so it went away. had about 5 1 1/2 ton chevys, two autocar cabover's, two cckw's one 1940 german r12 motorcycle, and three jeeps. when gas was approaching 5 bucks a gallon i sold em all. perhaps too early, ww2 stuff is expensive today. one thing was its amazing how much nos ww2 parts are still available. with the money i played with packards for a while, a 29 626 sedan old resto driver, and a 30 phaeton project. the packards were fun in that no doubt about it, you were driving a big rich mans car. smooth and quiet, every where you went nobody knew what it was. but, always scared to death somthing might break, and packard parts are not at swap meets, and not cheap when you find them. had a couple bmw isetta's, one diamond T truck with a 5.9 cummins, had about 40 motorcycles, now down to 25 or so, and now i wish i had spent all that time and money gathering 32-40 fords. parts are available for the most part, they are darn good cars, 32-36 are sexy enough to keep you awake at night. always had a model a on the road most of my life, and still enjoy model t's too, but the flathead v8 is currently, and probably my last interest. current fleet is two 34's, one 38, one 41 pu, 4 a's, 5 t's, and 10 buildings full of parts. retiring soon and want to move!!!! haha, thats funny

[tomcarman]

47 Chrysler Windsor 4 Door. In memory of my Grandparents. Awaiting work upon my retirement next year. Beautiful solid car, all there, no rust through, runs but doesn't stop. 70K original miles. My plan is to keep the patina, clear coat it and restore, replace as needed as I tinker with the mechanics. Parts are readily available and most are reasonably priced. I don't have the budget to repaint, redo everything plus as I've seen "They're only original once." Hence, my decision to keep the patina. Opinions are welcome.

[Karl]

I have restored a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine and a 1910 Hupmobile .
The Alpine was relatively easy as the mechanical bits largely interchanged with period Rootes Group vehicles When I restored it these parts were common but not now !

The Hupmobile is a whole different ball game .Parts are simply not available. What you need you make copying them off others original parts or making patterns and casting them. You are helped a little by the simplicity of the mechanicals -No water pump No oil pump No hydraulics Simple gearbox etc However a milling machine and a lathe certainly become your friend . The other trick is to modify parts to fit . Robert Hupp worked for Ford in the Model R and S days before forming his own company . Hence many of the Hupp components are very simaler to early Fords. My Hupp runs a disguised Model T Diff and internals and Model T spindles, Hubs and wheels which are all available . All body panels were hand rolled- again the minimalist body is your friend

[dumb person]

Old british cars. Popular models though.
If i could sell my american cars i'd go back to restoring them as the parts don't need converting to RHD.
But i can't sell them either...

[Old Redneck]

I have a 39 Studebaker and 51 Chevy coupe in my shed.

[38coop]

I have a 38 Chevy coupe street rod that i have had for 27 years. Made lots of changes on it over the years. This coming year i hope to get my stock 49 Ford Club Coupe running and driveable.

[av8coupe]

I had Triumph motorcycles for over 25 years. Started with a '78 Bonnevile that I did a couple of small cosmetic changes, then bought a '79 T140D Bonneville Special, kind of a factory custom with aluminum wheels and 2 into 1 exhaust. The '78 was way faster! Then I bought a '68 Bonnie that got a full factory style restoration and ended up as a magazine cover bike with a six page color feature. Next was a '63 T100sc which was originally a pretty rare facory desert race model. It had been chopped and stripped over the years so in its next life, I turned it into a café racer with clip-ons and rear sets. That's the one that got away, too fun! A shoebox Ford started the next chapter.

[Seth Swoboda]

I've only collected early Fords, however I was just recently discussing with a friend how much I'd like to own a 1933-1934 Lincoln. It's a dream I'll never realize and still a Ford product but I think owning a "full classic" would be a thrill. I'm a poor man in a rich man's hobby.

[RobR'35]

I've a '49 Diamond T pickup thats been started in restoration and put away a couple times.
In time I'll get back to it. I always thought they were a tough and good looking truck.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by av8coupe

I had Triumph motorcycles for over 25 years. Started with a '78 Bonnevile that I did a couple of small cosmetic changes, then bought a '79 T140D Bonneville Special, kind of a factory custom with aluminum wheels and 2 into 1 exhaust. The '78 was way faster! Then I bought a '68 Bonnie that got a full factory style restoration and ended up as a magazine cover bike with a six page color feature. Next was a '63 T100sc which was originally a pretty rare facory desert race model. It had been chopped and stripped over the years so in its next life, I turned it into a café racer with clip-ons and rear sets. That's the one that got away, too fun! A shoebox Ford started the next chapter.

I bought a new triump bonneville in 1978 when I lived in LA.
iN 79 THE Lucas electrical system crapped out and I had to push the thing home. LOve the bikes thou real classic styling

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by av8coupe

I had Triumph motorcycles for over 25 years. Started with a '78 Bonnevile that I did a couple of small cosmetic changes, then bought a '79 T140D Bonneville Special, kind of a factory custom with aluminum wheels and 2 into 1 exhaust. The '78 was way faster! Then I bought a '68 Bonnie that got a full factory style restoration and ended up as a magazine cover bike with a six page color feature. Next was a '63 T100sc which was originally a pretty rare facory desert race model. It had been chopped and stripped over the years so in its next life, I turned it into a café racer with clip-ons and rear sets. That's the one that got away, too fun! A shoebox Ford started the next chapter.

I bought a new triump bonneville in 1978 when I lived in LA.
iN 79 THE Lucas electrical system crapped out and I had to push the thing home. LOved the bikes real classic styling, hate hondas. But, after my english bike crapped out I was sorry I didn;t buy the Honda, especially after getting it fixed and could not find a buyer. Hondas would sell easily but not british bikes at that time anyway. Probably cars are the same.
There are cars you may like but once you buy them you are stuck with them for life, probably like at 1933 terraplane 8 that is for sale.

[cas3]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

fun thread frank, thanks for giving it the lift off!

[corvette8n]

I had a 1936 Pontiac sedan back in the mid-eighties, I cleaned it up, got the motor unstuck, but decided it was more work than I was capable of doing(lots of wood framing inside) so I sold it off about a year later.

[V8COOPMAN]

OK, I'll play too! Besides quite a few old Fords over the years, I've owned several older Corvettes, doing authentic body-off restos on two "mid years" and a triple black '69 roadster. Still own a '65 coupe with 365 horsepower and A/C that I bought in '86. I even bought a new '79 and a new '88 35th Anniversary Edition. I count about four other guys here with "mid year" ('63-'67) Corvettes besides myself...PeteVS has the sweet blue split-window above, Denny (tubman) has a white '67 roadster, PeterC has the Mossport Green '66 big-block coupe seen above, mrtexas has (or had) a white '63 roadster I believe, and then my red '65 coupe. Any more of us on the 'Barn here with a "mid-year" car? DD

[tubman]

Close "DD", mine is a Green Coupe. It was a lot easier job than the '68 Corvette convertible I sold a couple of years ago. The pneumatics for the head lights and wiper doors and getting both tops to fit gave me a lot of problems. As a matter of fact, I was never able to stop that car from leaking like a sieve. (I have heard they were that way from the factory). I'm glad it's gone.

[Tony, NY]

Along with my '31 AV8 coupe, I have a '41 Caddy fastback and a '59 Caddy convertible conversion. All my cars are far from stock.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by tubman

Close "DD", mine is a Green Coupe. It was a lot easier job than the '68 Corvette convertible I sold a couple of years ago. The pneumatics for the head lights and wiper doors and getting both tops to fit gave me a lot of problems. As a matter of fact, I was never able to stop that car from leaking like a sieve. (I have heard they were that way from the factory). I'm glad it's gone.

Man, sorry Denny! Don't know where I got the white convert idea. I know you realize that '68s were the first C3 and for restoration purposes were generally considered to be "early", "mid" and "late" builds as there were so many running changes while The General was trying to get things squared-away. Both tops on my '69 were pretty damned tight, although it only saw rain once going to Springfield for the Bloomington Gold Silver Salute in 1994, but it did get washed a bunch. The only real problem I had doing that car was getting that goofy wiper door to fit perfectly after it did it's up and down jump. DD

[tubman]

No problem "DD". My '68 was a "Late" car (May 1968) which I thought would help. It didn't. QC on '68's is generally considered to be piss-poor.

[Lanny]

I had a ride in Dennys mid year green cp. one day when I was up his way.

I've had a few Corvettes too that I refurbished and sold. The best one I
had that needed very little light cosmetic work to make right was a 1966
Sting Ray silver pearl cp. with silver interior. It was a very low mileage car
with most all options including a 390hp 427 with factory air, knock offs,
off road exhaust, etc.
I sold that Vette a few years ago to start messing with Cobra replicas.
My 3rd one, that I own today is titled as a 1967 Cobra, 550 hp 427.

EDIT, add a couple pictures.

Click on pics to Enlarge.

[ford35lh]

[QUOTE] Any more of us on the 'Barn here with a "mid-year" car? DD

Yes.

[cas3]

love them cobras, i could see one of those in my shop...when i am about 110 and have the other projects done

[deuce_roadster]

My "Mid year" is a "Mid year C1" 57.

[frnkeore]

I am a "DIE HARD" Ford guy but, over the years, I have owned a few Chev's.

In the 70's, I owned a '33 Chev, 2 door, that was chopped and channeled. A beautiful car, I wish I still had it! In that same time frame, I also had '55 Nomad, no love lost on that one! At this time, I have the first C4 ('84) Corvette, with all race options offered, No love lost on that one, either!

After high school, in '62, I bought a '57 Austin Healey, 100-6. A very beautiful car, I wish I still had it. I also had a A40 Austin.

One of my favorites, is a '90 Nissan 240SX and I still have it.

I can't leave out my 2 Formula cars, a Brabham, Formula Atantic and a Zink 500.

[oldandtired]

My favorite old non-Ford that I have owned in the past few decades was a 1928 Franklin. Aluminum body, air cooled engine, three headlights, wooden frame like a Morgan. I had it for a couple of years.

[Zax40]

My dad has always been a BPO (Buick Pontiac Olds) guy. So I leaned that way for a long time. Still have a fondness for them. But whenever he would take me to shows as a kid I would always be drawn to the old Fords. The first car I bought was a 1963 Buick Skylark. Drove it all through high school.

[mhsprecher]

I am a dyed in the wool Ford guy. Back in high school I had a 56 Chevy wagon. I have a non-historic Mazda Miata that i love. If I stray outside the Ford realm, it would be to get a Studebaker - either a 53 or a M5 or 2R truck. A Lincoln Zephyr is my dream car.

[joe 1950]

redneck i’ve never seen a 39 stude before what a great body style on that car looks in great shape enjoy. your one lucky guy

[mrlaser]

Unfortunately, I love them all. These are a few that I have restored:

[mrlaser]

A few more.

[deuce_roadster]

mrlaser, If I had your building, I would have more cars! I am out of room. Impressive.

[mrlaser]

Unfortunately, with my move to the south, the building couldn't come with me That's probably a good thing in the long run. Like starting in addiction therapy.

[42guy]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Had 2 Triumphs, a Tr-6 and a Spitfire GT-6. Also a Jaguar sedan right hand drive.

[tubman]

One of the best cars I ever owned was a '61 Triumph TR3. I got it just after I got my '57 MG. It was so much better. I beat on it for years and it soldiered on until my brother-in-law wrecked it. I wish I still had it.

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

mrlaser, If I had your building, I would have more cars! I am out of room. Impressive.

Mike, I finally met you in person on Sunday when I was on my family roadtrip..... 'Impressive?' I think you wrote the book on that. 'Nough said. As far as this thread topic, every time I come up with an off brand, it only sticks around less than a year. My '47 stude left last month, chevies only a memory around Jailbar ranch. Yes I dabble, but I always come back. And Happy New Year to all you 'Barners

[39portlander]

Originally Posted by oldandtired

My favorite old non-Ford that I have owned in the past few decades was a 1928 Franklin. Aluminum body, air cooled engine, three headlights, wooden frame like a Morgan. I had it for a couple of years.

O&T if I had the room a Franklin would be on the list, my favorite display bldg @ the Gilmore museum.

There is a plaque displayed there from the Portland dealership from 1929.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Owned a number of English Rootes Groups cars. 1961 IIIB hillman Minx and 1961 IIIB Humber 80, 1970 Hillman Hunter, 1972 Australian XA ford Falcon 302 Cleveland v8 and a 1954 Alvis TC21/100 Grey Lady. I sold the Alvis to return to V8s'

[cas3]

that looks like a baby Bentley, pretty cool!

[31Abone]

have 39 Dodge D11 coupe in need of parts to finish,54 motor with OD....sc

[corvette8n]

Originally Posted by 39portlander

O&T if I had the room a Franklin would be on the list, my favorite display bldg @ the Gilmore museum.

There is a plaque displayed there from the Portland dealership from 1929.

The museum in Norwich NY has a large Franklin collection.
https://www.classiccarmuseum.org/

[Merc Cruzer]

Before I had the 53' Merc there was the 87' Porsche Carrera. My wife and I also did a ground up restoration on a 1970 Cougar XR-7 for her, that she drives to shows and cruses all summer. She drove one all through college and always wanted another one.

[CA Victoria]

So many nice cars pictured I had to post this.
1951 Ferguson TO-30, it was the 10th one produced S/N 60010.
Maybe, someday, I can restore it.....with a Ford Flathead V8????

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by cas3

that looks like a baby Bentley, pretty cool!

Thanks Yes often said but not quite in the same league as Bentley.They were an English middle class to richer mans "sporting saloon". The 100 designation refers to 100bhp/ 100mph. Engine is 3L straight six. These things looked better if they had the wire wheel option. Beautiful car but I missed my previous flathead coupe...I think I'd bought above my station in life haha.

GB

[39portlander]

Originally Posted by corvette8n

The museum in Norwich NY has a large Franklin collection.
https://www.classiccarmuseum.org/

That is a great tip, I checked out the website for the Northeast classic car museum and that may be on the short list of stops this summer when checking out the micro beer locations Hoppy New Year

[deuce5wndw]

I've always been a Ford guy even made my living selling Ford parts but here are my three non Ford! 1952 Plymouth surburban with a bored and stroked FLATHEAD 6 with high compression head, two carbs, Fenton header, and Borg Warner overdrive. The Javelin is a 68 343 cid with a four speed and finally a 1951 Studebaker starlight coupe with a V8 automatic a locally owned car with 21k miles.

[v8fordman]

I have a ‘67 GTO convertible and a ‘71 Chevelle convertible to go with my wife’s ‘37 pickup with a ‘55 DeSoto engine and all of the Fords

[32phil]

Been a Ford guy since forever always 32's
2 Years ago I bought a decent 65 GTO 2dr hardtop
Real deal 4 spd. GTO, not a clone.
Slowly but surely I'm fixing all the little things that were neglected.
I remember the GTOs when I was a teenager they were always faster then my Mustang
It was an easy decision to buy it when I found this one.

[frnkeore]

Since tractors have inter the equation, besides my 4, Ford tractors, I have two Allis Chalmers. A D17 & D14. the D17 is larger but, they look alike. Here's my D17.