Robin (UK)

Thanks Guys, I've passed all that information on to Mark. I'll let you know if he has any success. His car's a beauty - right hand drive, built in the UK. It wasn't registered until 1945 (after the war). It's possible it was used by the military during the war, or just mothballed for the duration.

I believe the car was originally assembled with a 42 plymouth front end, 39 Chev doors, cowl and dash and a 39 Plymouth trunk lid. It was built on a one-off, specially-commissioned Willys frame.

I have a friend, here in the UK, who needs an input shaft bearing for his 1939 Chrysler. The part number is 692704. Can anyone help with this, or point me in the right direction? He has no internet connection, so I’m helping him with the search. Thanks. Robin.

Guys, I guess a lot of you will have read about the 1940s Keen Steamliner steam-powered car, that has been written about by Jim Benjaminson. I was surfing the web and was surprised to discover that the original car is being restored about 1 hour's drive from my home! I emailed the owner today and immediately received an invitation to go to see it. He even sent me a picture, taken this afternoon. I'll let you know when I've made the trip, and I'll aim to get more pictures. Two pictures below - the first is an original period shot. The second is the car, today. (I recognise that grille!!!)

Hey Bob, I love your t-shirt, in the first picture!!!

That's a great find, Fred. Congratulations. Looking forward to seeing the car's progress.

I just got back from wedding duty with my P15. I drove the bride. The groom arrived in a 47 Chrysler. I managed to snap a few pictures. As you can see, there was no sunshine. But the day is quite warm and at least the rain held off. The cars looked great, together.

Just like all young boys (and a lot of us big boys), young Henry loves our Plymouth. I have just bought a small collection of 1940s and 1950s Tootsie Toy cars and we are restoring them, as a little project. He's having great fun doing that, and he'll have some vintage toys to play with, once we're finished. A friend has promised him a genuine vintage toy garage, for the cars. My friend had the toy garage as a child.

Hi Bob, I personally know of seven P15s in England - I'm sure there will be quite a few more. Ian sent me a few more pix from the weekend. Here's one with the two of us, and my son in the middle. We couldn't find Deano when we were setting this one up. The T&C arrived on Monday, after I'd gone home. I've seen this one before - it's a lovely example.

Business coupe and club coupe doors are the same. The differences are in the rear roof line, deck lid and rear quarter windows.

Chet, That's Ian Crombie's car. UK registered and with a UK number, but running Florida-style plates. R.

Original vert doors are made from cut-down coupe doors. You can see, from the swage lines, where the frame was cut off and capped.

Another small UK get-together.... I was delighted to finally meet up with Ian Crombie yesterday, at a 1940s and 1950s festival. Deano was also there, and we got the three P15s together for a picture. There was a vintage Wall of Death giving hourly shows, with one stunt rider using a 1923 Indian. SPECTACULAR!

I don't attend many shows, but I always enjoy the Rally of The Giants. The cars are displayed and judged by era - with each era named after the relevant US President. The arena display is great. Each class of cars take their turn and the commentators describe the cars and talk to the owners. They are knowledgeable guys. It's also nice to see, and hear, the cars run. I never enter my car for judging - that sort of thing is just not my bag. But I believe the yellow P15 coupe picked up a trophy (and yes, Bob, those are wire wheels).

Guys, Someone just sent me a link to this YouTube film. Exactly 7 minutes in, you can see my convertible, then Deano's 2-door, and the other P15 and D24 that were in the photo I posted recently. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd2W0alu7Ro

Hi Guys, I didn't have time to post this before I went on vacation. Here's a picture from the Rally Of the Giants, in the UK, at the end of July. The blue Dodge is right hand drive - the owner has several 40s and early 50s Mopars. I hope you'll see him on the Forum soon. The yellow P15 coupe was restored about 15 years ago, in the UK. I hadn't seen it for over ten years. It's still beautiful. The green 2-door sedan is Deano's - a really nice car - and that's my red convertible. I'm hoping to get a bigger line-up together at some point, to include Ian Crombie and Garry McDonald with his African Queen. Plus, I've just heard of a coupe that is being worked on at a local shop. I might take a trip over to see that one. Talking of The African Queen, here's a shot from my vacation, with the actual boat from the film. It's on display in Key Largo.

Translation for you guys in the US... handbrake = emergency brake

Hi All, I'm just back from my Florida vacation and delighted to report that whilst I was away, Rodger sent a check to my friend in California and it has cleared. I genuinely believe that it was people power (via this Forum) that helped to secure the refund so I would like to thank you all. I am also grateful to Rodger for sending the money and for restoring my faith in human nature. I'm delighted to be able to put the episode behind me and I will edit previous posts on the subject). This is my 300th post on the Forum, so a happy milestone!!!

I just bought this Tootsie Toy on Ebay. It's supposedly a 41 Chrysler. My 8-year old son and I are going to file off those fender mounted side lights, strip it and repaint it in sumac red. Silver details to grille, lights and bumpers and a red and silver interior and it'll look quite a lot like a certain P15 convertible!!!

I met up with some friends to cruise together, to The Rally Of The Giants, yeterday. Here's a picture of some of them on the road.... 55 Chev, 48 Plymouth, 65 Mustang, 56 Buick, 55 Chev convertible. I got parked with two other convertibles - a 47 Pontiac and a 49 Caddy. There were other P15s and a D24 there - I think Dean will be posting pictures soon.

Be careful, Jim. You might get burned!

I used to be a Club Officer (Magazine Editor) for the Ford Mk1 Consul, Zephyr, Zodiac Club in the UK. Quite a few members were very unwelcoming to owners of modified or customised cars. I gradually made people see that these guys were just expressing their own ways of enjoying their cars. Also, on the selfish side, customisers tend to remove lots of parts that restorers need, thereby increasing supply. After a while, the Club introduced a Best Custom award at some of its shows. A small success, but I was proud of it.

Actually, Bob, the band contacted me regarding the possibility of playing at our Rhythm Riot festival. That's how I found the video.

Look at the car in this music video...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic... A friend's wedding. Again, no charge.