Dan Hiebert

My brother and I used to visit our grandparents in Jones Ridge, IL every summer in the '60's and early '70's. The place was so small (pop. @ 12 or so), that initially, there was only one party number for everyone that had a phone. Caller just had to chance that the right person would answer, but since it was so small they would usually just talk to the one who did answer, and they would relay the message to the intended party. Or, I distinctly recall my grandma (my grandpa never answered the phone) sending me or my brother to run to someone's house to get them to pick up. Then, for a while, they only had to dial 4 numbers for local calls, which didn't happen much, since they preferred just to meet at the fence, the tavern out on IL-3, or the grain elevator. But my grandma would prefer to just pick up, wiggle the hang-up thingy a few times to get the operator to pick up and ask for so-and-so. That's why I always get a kick out of Lily Tomlin's telephone operator skits..."One ringy-dingy...two ringy-dingies...hello, is this the party to whom I'm speaking?", that's who I always imagined my grandma was talking to.

Cool. I had a Peugeot bike when I was in high school. Used to ride it from Presidio to Shafter, TX, and back on a regular basis to explore the old mines and ghost town. It was a really good bike, luckily I never had to deal with tires or parts. Imagine trying to find those in west Texas long (really long) before the internet. Gave it to the neighbor kid when I graduated and went off to the Army.

One of my coworkers has an old MG. He rather enjoys it, parts are still relatively easy to find, and there's a huge fan base/support group. Only problems he's had are his size vs. the size of the car (or vise versa), and the electronics. I've never really been interested in British cars, but I don't have anything against them.

Back to your question, White Spyder, asking what we would do in your situation. I've never had a car that we owned outright "totaled". I assume the process is that insurance totals it, which usually entails them taking possession of it. And instead of the insurance company shipping it off to the junk yard, you get the opportunity to buy it back - for their price. The obverse being that they won't pay what it would take to repair the car anyway, so if you want to keep and repair the car, you're out of luck either way. To me it would depend on my attachment to the car, just how much damage there actually is, and whether or not I could reasonably find a replacement. Personally, my abilities are only "OK", I can find another good D24, I can certainly find another classic Beetle, (not yet announced here that we bought a decent 1970 Beetle for a daily beater), but probably not another good Terraplane within my capabilities (it took us ten years to find the one we've got). To shorten the story, I'd keep the Terraplane, but probably not the others. So - I'd keep the Delta 88 (no that many), and find another MR2 (many out there).

I'll admit that I would be tempted to yell that out, too! I love that look. How many people nowadays would know about the Cunningham's Desoto? Especially when Fonzie suped (soupped?) it up for Richie's race challenge? Howard, upon seeing his modified car - "My Desoto!"

Ooh-rah! I'm liking what I'm seeing with your car, and echo your painting sentiments. Not as hard as professionals would lead one to believe. The desired result is totally dependent on the amount of work one is willing to put in. So if all you're lacking is a decent paint job, just tear into it, you'll be surprised at what you can do, and the results can be very satisfying.

Apparently OK, driver was "ejected from the vehicle", transported by ambulance to the next town for treatment of minor injuries, suffered scrapes and bruises. Hot rod or not, I too cringe at seeing this happen to any nice old car. But second silver lining is that every once in a while, someone driving like an ass gets their comeuppance.

Article doesn't mention, but the dealership is "Norm's Used Autos"....same as the plate on the front bumper....hmm

From a local newspaper. I hadn't seen this 1947 D24 out and about, looks like I won't be seeing it any time soon, either. Silver lining - could be a source for some parts in the near future. Story yesterday: Driver departing parking lot of used car dealer in Fort Fairfield, ME lost control of the car and hit the post. Excessive speed (strong indication it doesn't have original engine) and reckless driving cited as factors in the crash.

Looks like the track on the roof is no longer used. End curves are still concrete, but the rest has vents and expansion joints, and looks like "normal" roofing. No tire tracks, either. (Google Earth)

I too would walk away from something with a "tampered" VIN unless the owner has documentation that the State knows about it, which is possible in some States, and in some cases is merely having a state law enforcement officer run the number through NCIC to verify it isn't stolen. We used to encounter vehicles with several different VINs because they were cobbled together from junkyards when I was working in Texas and New Mexico. This depends on the State, but each State usually has a determination of which VIN the vehicle would be titled under, i.e., the dash tag, frame, etc. (All modern vehicles have "secret" VIN locations, too.) Once in a while, one of the VINs would be from a stolen vehicle, which elevated the issue (duh). I've noticed southern states tend to me more liberal with this, northeasterly states tend to be kind of sanctimonious about it. Federal VIN tampering laws only pertain to vehicles manufactured after the date when VINs were standardized Federally, don't remember it exactly. State laws tend to follow suit, but some made it retroactive to all vehicles. Each State is different, and run the gamut of easy to deal with to a total PIA, you just need to be familiar with your State's requirements. In most cases, suspect titles, VINs, registration, etc. can be overcome with a little legwork. Depends on how much effort you want to put into it. All this stuff is supposed to prevent theft and other illicit activities - not to prevent an enthusiast from resurrecting or maintaining an old car.

We can't make it, taking grandkids back to Texas that week. To ponder aside from the show, the Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor is worth a side trip. Planes, trains, automobiles, farm equipment, snowplows, etc. Something for everyone, they have one of Bangor & Aroostook RRs famous BL2s there. Fort Knox is close and right next to the Penobscot Narrows bridge and observatory, which could be a good cruise destination or stop. The Coastal Route (US1) along Penobscot Bay is a great drive, but you'll need patience because all of New England thinks so, too. I'm a bit jealous of you'uns that'll go, but that is the only two weeks I could take leave from work this year to make that drive to TX.

95% Missed two YOM. I started this antique auto thing as a pick-up truck junkie.

In all of my antique auto ventures, a service manual is the second thing I get (after the vehicle), in a couple of instances, I got a service manual beforehand to see what I was getting into. I have a couple old Chilton's that get me by until I find one. Although I haven't found one for our Terraplane, yet, I do have a Motors Manual that has a valuable amount of material.

As Don notes, the steering box uses 90wt gear oil, not grease. Although some have had success filling the steering box with grease, I would not recommend it, as it does not give full lubrication to the gears. The fill hole is the one to the right of the big adjustment nut / cover on the photo you attached. If your worried about it, that hole at the bottom of the worm gear housing, lower right, is actually a tube that runs into the end of the steering shaft, and is to allow the horn button wire to pass through. It does not leak.

I'm with Don. If you're looking for NOS, you should call and ask a few questions. AB has always advertised that they have some NOS, but also to call about it. I bought some NOS parts from AB when Andy still owned it, had to call because they weren't in the catalog and he was one of the only games in town at the time. I got what I needed, no problems. I'm always skeptical about parts advertised as "NOS" anyway, I don't think NOS means quite what it used to lately.

Out of curiosity, can you register your antique vehicles with the year of manufacture plate numbers and plates in Indiana? I could in New Mexico, Michigan, and New York, but here in Maine you can't. BUT, you get a regular antique vehicle registration, and you can display serviceable front and rear y.o.m. plates and carry your current plates in the car with you to show the police if you get pulled over. I've already got y.o.m. plates for the Terraplane (surprisingly easy to find), but not for the Dodge, yet.

Not sure if it is exactly the same, but it'll fit - mine came off a P15. I've never had an original one from a D24 to compare. PN listed for the D24 is 1124157.

Cool video, thanks for posting. Out on an areal patrol/tour about three weeks ago near Grand Lake (on the border in southern Aroostook Co.) and saw a black bear sow with 5 cubs. (!) Still "early spring" around here at that time, it's still cold at night, so the bears will be out at the edge of the forests sunning themselves in the morning, makes for good bear spotting from the air. Pretty neat, the cubs look like fuzzy bowling balls following mama around. 5 cubs was significant enough to report to ME Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, they were pretty excited about it. 2 is common, 3 are not so exciting but noteworthy, and 5 was virtually unheard of. They've been trying to find them again ever since.

My family has some feel-good stories as well, but alas, we also have some that epitomize greed and indifference. The wife and I do our best to keep away from it, but despite living further away from everyone than anyone else on either side, and living within our own means, we still occasionally bear the brunt of some silly accusations. Just as I have perfected my "surprised face" from being in the employ of Uncle Sam, I have a well practiced "befuddled look", and "glazed expression" from dealing with family (polished a tad from aforementioned employment, too, I guess). My mother-in-law turns 90 this year, she is doing surprisingly well, but we all die - she has an extensive clown figurine collection and everyone in the family is creeped-out by it. I see either the opportunity to get even, or being the victim.

Congratulations Grandpa Bob! Hazel is 1/2 the size of our latest grandkid - 11 lbs 2 ozs. That's a neat re-sitting of the old photo.

The good in you has prevailed and you've ventured into the Dodge side of The Force...wait...that sounds more like "Dark side". Kidding aside, that's a nice ride, which I am sure you will enjoy as much as your P15. Now you have to get that Plymouth sold off, or you'll find yourself swapping a few parts to heat up that Dodge...

Appreciate it, but don't irritate the photographers trying to find out. Sometimes they have a "trade secret" method that they won't want to share. But if it's just something I haven't found on my camera yet, then all's fair. Just looking to amp up my (alternate) photography hobby.

True - those damsels would require viewing through the bottom of a few shot glasses - maybe

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Would you happen to know what photo effect they're using to get that old timey tint?