Don Jordan

Claybill: sadly it is a bit west from you. I live in Acton, CA. It's considered the high desert. I'm about 50 miles north of Los Angeles. And I walked around the fenced in yard and could not find a contact number anywhere. In all the years I've lived here I've never seen anyone in the place. When I was in Viet Nam I fired what they called a "burp gun" or some called it a "grease gun" - all it had was a wire stock, a short barrel, and a long magazine. It fired .45 and had an effective range of about 6 to 8 inches. The kick was enough that if you fired off a burst you'd be hitting the sky. Never saw a Tommy gun in person. I think they were invented just at the end of WWI and I believe they didn't see much action until the 20s. Machine Gun Kelly and all that.

That shows you how silly we old geezers are. Of course the Ford looks restorable - anything that rolls has the potential of being restored. When I brought my Plymouth home I kept telling my wife "If you just squint your eyes, click your heels together, and say I wish I was a real boy." Okay I'm mixing fairy tales. But think of some of the buckets we've drug home saying "I think I can restore this." I know guys that collect stamps and there is always room for one more. A friend collects guns and I'm amazed he's always getting something new. But cars!! I bought the lot next to mine just so I'd have a place to store parts.

What a beautiful car! I love the 30s. Had a 36 Chevy that I drove from San Francisco to Mexico and back. I truly love the design. I don't know how I ended up with so many cars from the 40s.

I don't know why but it takes me forever to do the picture thing. I'm just not that computer savvy.

I have driven by this place for years and never had my camera so today when I took the old car for a ride I finally stopped and took some pictures. The guy has 12 Nash Metropolitans, 2 tear drop trailers, some old air streams, and the Chrysler. I'm not sure of the year - some where in the 40s. Just thought I'd share. I have so much problems with pictures and then I get timed out. I'll put them in the next post. sorry

Silly question: When you register that car will you register it as a 47? Will it need to pass a smog test? I really admire you guys with a skill and talent. I'm always reminded of a sign at a motor cycle shop I used to go to - it said: DO IT YOURSELF - WE MAKE MORE MONEY THAT WAY. It will be interesting to see the finished product. Keep posting.

I know this may sound silly but I just had my car painted and I worry about putting on a cover that might scratch the paint. We have a lot of wind here and I'm thinking that a lot of wind might affect the paint. I got a cover from a company on e-bay but it ripped and it took forever to get a refund. Right now my car is at the upholsterer's so it's indoors. Problem is I have a "two car garage" that only holds one car - and I've got two cars. The cover seems important.

I was on the freeway this week end and got her up to about 55. But I know some of the guys have their cars pretty tricked out and probably do better. I had to stop at 60 because the vibration shook the ash tray out.

http://www.billsretroworld.com/cars.htm

I know when you need money there's not much you can do. The problem is old cars like houses have lost a lot of value. It seems if you could just hold on to it until the economy rebounds you might have a better chance. Not everyone can wait, I know that. In January I sold my 69 Triumph and didn't get what I had into it. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Good luck and I hope who ever buys it appreciates it as much as you do.

I just checked and the location is Istanbul, Turkey. Seems like a long way to go for parts.

I wanted to put these on earlier but couldn't find them. Think of all the happiness and good memories...

I keep seeing parts for sale on the bay from Turkey. Is this Turkey Turkey - or is there some place in the states called Turkey. And why would this guy have all these parts. He was selling valve springs. Just seemed kind of interesting. I may have missed something in the fine print.

While it is true that our cars take us back in time to a different history and a different culture I get something a little different. When I'm driving down the street and I look at the lines of the hood, the split windshield, the massive steering wheel - I think of my father. That's exactly what he saw. He had a 46 Plymouth and I've wanted one as long as I could remember. You guys are right - it's our way of holding on to a better time when there was pride in workmanship and quality. It seems we are in a kind of disposable society now.

It's just a stupid dog. I hear that from people who have never had one. It's amazing how close you can get to a dog or cat. I felt closer to my dog of 16 years than my wife that would be my ex wife (now gone to parts unknown). A little OT: What's the difference between a wife and a dog? Put them both in the trunk of your car - drive around the block - and the dog will be happy to see you when you open the trunk lid. And every time I lose a dog I swear I'm never going to get another one. They are sort of like old cars - they just keep showing up. 2 dog, 2 cats, 2 Plymouths. NO MORE.

I truly hope this doesn't sound too stupid... can you get any speaker at Radio Shack or Best Buy and have it work or does it take something special. Right now my radio is just for show to fill in the space but it would be neat if I could get it working so I could pick up some of the songs from the 40s and 50s.

I guess I must jump on this Robin bandwagon. I had mentioned that I had samples of money from all over the world but had yet to get anything from Great Britain. He was generous enough to send me all the coins from pence to pound. I have them displayed on my desk and do an inner chuckle when ever I see them. Sometimes it can be just a simple gesture that reaps the largest joy. So add my voice to the chorus of kudos for Robin.

I never realized what a popular name it is. When I was a kid Don Jordan was the light heavy weight champion of the world. In high school I was on the wrestling team and wrestled a guy named Don Jordan. A Don Jordan was found dead in a drainage ditch near my town - I got a lot of calls on that one. But, alas, no relation to Michael Jordan. I'm just a poor car nut.

Don: What book is that page from? It didn't print up very clear for me. What a great idea about blowing air down the spark plug hole. My engine is a virgin - over 60 and never been touched. Right now it's running about 50 - 65 pounds. I think the old girl is worn out. I guess once you get the engine out the prudent thing is just replace everything. But it's still an interesting test. Does the P15 have insert or babbet bearings?

And if you're really good you can manage to pay even more. A new gas tank goes for $250 but the slick wheeler dealer I am I managed to pay $500 for my old tank. The good news is it has a life time guarantee. I'm not sure whose life. Just so I don't appear like a complete idiot - they split the tank in half, boiled out all the rust and the inner sealing, they put it back together, sealed it again and coated the out side. I didn't buy the new tank because it just didn't look right - like people will even notice - but I know. I guess the key to an old car is: "It's only money."

One of the problems with a forum like this is sort of the same problem with e-mail - TONE. Sometimes we say things with a different thought than others read. A lot of times that's why we use the smilies. I think what we all agree on is most of us are nuts but we are still supportive of our fellow brothers/sisters. Here's my question: after the car is finished - THEN WHAT? My car has been "a work in progress" for years it's almost done - it's going to be like when the kids grow up and leave.

It might be a cool wagon but I'd say with all that smoke the guy has some serious ring problems.

I bought a 64 LeMans while I was in the service. What a sweet car for the time. I had a part time job in a gas station at night so every night the car was on the lift. Lube job, I painted the wheel wells, did what ever I could. I drove that 326 until it wouldn't go any further. I don't think I will miss the modern Pontiac - but I'm sorry that we have hit such a low that the demise is necessary. It would be like missing the Edsel. (I had one of those too)

I tried, I really tried, to polish my stainless steel. I spent hours and it never looked right. I took it to a guy that does it for a living and I picked it up the next day. You guys that are good with your hands (gloved or not) can do this stuff. I would rather pay to save my time and have it done right. I guess I should take some pictures. When I bought my Plymouth all the stainless was taped together. I figured it was all there and just took it in to be polished. When he was finished I found I had some extra pieces. I'm not sure but some are strips that go down the hood. If anyone is interested I'll take some pictures. They look brand new.

Does it come with the trailer?