Robin (UK)

Yes, mine is Sumac Red.

I met a guy at a car show a couple of weeks ago, who told me that he is restoring a P15 convertible for a customer. He's just sent me some pictures. As you'll see it's a right hand drive car. It was originally supplied to Africa but it's been in the UK for over 20 years. This must be a VERY rare car as I can't imagine that many P15 convertibles were built with right hand drive and export cars were generally badged as D25 Dodge.

There's an assumption that this jacket was bought by a car owner and I'd guess that's not likely at all. It's probably gone to a TV and movie memorabilia collector. That type of thing is not my bag at all, but as a collector of 1940s and 1950s vintage clothing, I have in the past come across named items for sale and they can attract a premium. (my wife and I once found a 'Sandra Dee' skirt for sale in a flea market somewhere on Rt 1 in California). It's hard for those who don't collect specific items to recognise the value in some of them. A few weeks ago, my wife bought a perfect green 1952 Seattle Centennial shirt at a shop in the UK. She paid about $80 for it. There's a yellow one for sale now on the web... for $1200!!! http://www.etsy.com/listing/75278773/nos-m-1950s-seattle-centennial-rayon Crazy prices? Or market forces?

I guess it's all down to how the insurance assessors see it, and what valuation they put on the car. Reports I've heard say that the frame is bent so I guess they look at it and just try to find the cheapest option for themselves. Shipping to the US is about $1500, from the UK< so that's probably not an option. It would be a shame if the car's lost. I'll keep you posted if I hear more.

I just heard about a 49 DeSoto being totalled last weekend. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but it's a shame that another lovely car is lost. The pictures here tell the story... http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1934677161284.109823.1072977488&l=cce86b4c52

Guys, I'm sorry for stirring some emotional exchanges here. The mention of GTK in my original message was not to encourage him to do anything officially, it was merely as a courtesy to him, in case he felt that the suggestion was in any way in breach of this Forum's objectives. The debate has been extremely thought-provoking and I've been really impressed by everyone's considered opinions. No finger-pointing. No arguments. As mentioned above, the distribution of aid to New Orleans, following Katrina, seems to have been questionable. We wanted to do something at that time, so at our Rhythm Riot festival we raised several thousand dollars and sent it to a fund for displaced musicians, to help them to buy instruments and start working again. I believe that money was well spent. In this instance, I guess I just felt a personal affinity to Bob T, and wanted to suggest that our on-line 'community' showed him some support. You'll note that I also suggested he could pass the money on to the wider community if he preferred. He'll know what's what. Best wishes to all of you, from England. Robin.

Hey RiffRaff, I think you'll be really pleased with those mirrors. And they'll look great on your coupe. Look out for my PM (sending now).

If it's OK with GTK, I've been thinking that maybe all of us at p15-d24.com should start a fund for Bob T. It could help him, or he could donate it to the wider fund if he prefers. Does anyone want to open an account and co-ordinate this? I'd do it, but I'm in the UK, so there would be difficulties with currency conversion etc. There are over 300 people on here with more than 100 posts. We can really do something great if we each make a donation. I'm in for $25.

I've posted this to an earlier thread but hope it helps... I have SoCal Speed Shop swan-necks on my P15. They work great, and look just right, although I have put a 4" round, stick-on convex mirror on the one on the passenger side (I need the extra wide view when the top's up).

Wow. This even made the news on BBC radio here in the UK! I heard it when I was taking my son to school this morning. Glad to hear that you and your family are OK, Bob. Good luck with everything. Robin.

I live in England. That doesn't leave me with much choice!

Some of the captions are questionable, but the pictures are great. I've included one below, as a taster. And here's the full set... http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/04/15/buena_vista_auto_club

Just watched the ceremony on TV with my wife and son. Quite moving pageantry, whatever your political views regarding the Royal family. There'll be a flypast in about 30 minutes. We'll see that on TV then step outside to watch the planes go over our house. RAF Tornados and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - A Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster Bomber - I always like to see those.

A strong Geordie accent can be very hard to understand, especially as there'll be lots of colloquial phrases included. See if you can make any sense of this...

Yep. 8 out of 10. A courgette is zucchini and 'going pear-shaped' is a colloquial phrase for something going wrong.

The D25 was Richard Coney's car. It was pale blue, the same as the interior, when he sold it, but was repainted for the film shoot. Richard now own Paul Bone's ex 39 Plymouth Business Coupe.

We had fabulous weather in England yesterday, so my son and I got up early, took the Plymouth out of the garage and headed off with our skateboards for 4 hours of skating at two London skateparks. Here's a really short video of the Plymouth pulling away from the lights... We then headed home to freshen up, got changed, collected my wife and set off for a few hours at Carter's Steam Fair, which was set up in a local park. Carter's is amazing - with beautifully restored vintage rides, rock'n'roll music and a lovely welcoming atmosphere. http://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/ In addition, they had Messhams Wall of Death there. Their show is always amazing, and watching the trick riding on a 1923 Indian is just fantastic. http://www.messhamswallofdeath.com/ A few pictures below...

Hi, I just pulled this from the Hemmings Hobby Directory... Jay M Fisher 4B Acken Dr Clark, NJ 07066 United States 732-388-6442 Mail order only. Manufacturer of sidemount mirrors, 1900-1970, inside mirror restoration, windwing brackets, radiator caps, mascots, small parts fabrication, leather straps, restoration of any mirrors. Catalog, $2 cash plus 55� SASE.

Hey Don. You're right. I'm starting to think she wasn't a real mechanic after all!!

Hi Greg, Here's the context... Origin of FETTLE British dialect: to set in order, get ready. From Middle English fetlen: to shape, prepare; perhaps akin to Old English fetian to fetch — more at fetch First Known Use: 1881 Here endeth today's English lesson.

No... she was fettling my throttle!!!

My skirts are from Agape. They have the central mechanism like those posted above but, as already mentioned, the originally came with clamps at each end that made for a very dubious fixing. They've now been adapted so I still have the central mechanism but a welded 'prong' on the trailing edge now slots into a 'socket' and the front edge bolts up from underneath, into a captive nut. Solid as a rock. They've also been rolled slightly at the trailing edge, to provide a better fit.

I never need much of an excuse to post this picture of my car again!!!

Thanks Bob, I'm planning on using a battery that's only about 8 inches high, and I think I've found a suitable j-hook on ebay. If I need a longer version, I now know where to go, so I appreciate your help. All the best. Robin.