Uncle-Pekka

Great pictures - Thank you for sharing them. Interesting and beautiful places and situations. It's so much more fun to look at nice car in real scenery and with people than just the car. /Unkka-P. P.S. Those machine rolled hay stacks seem to be an international sight. Back in the old days they used to dry hay on piles on sticks on the field here in Finland - Now we got those rolls everywhere, some plastic covered. Also traditional barns they use to keep the hay dry for winter are vanishing.

Hi Fred, The carpets do look very good. You have got great value for what you spent on the materials & sewing job. Congratulations! /Unkka-Pekka

That is one genious period accessory I absolutely MUST have!

Ban-tam? more like Goddamn... ugly! 3 pcs bumper guards and a skyway-antenna, though...

Nice to know that we international subscribers are equally treated by Hemmings - I got my copy in Thursday afternoon as well! In spite of slow finnish mail "institute". The featured 1941 Ply-woodie is goregous. Also funny feature on Crossley cars in the current issue.

Wow! Should I bought that too to have a matching pair? 4D HT for family pick nick trips and the 2D HT for an intimate cruise with Unkka's old lady...?

My friend in Finland ordered headliner, floor mat and windlace from SMS Auto Fabrics. He was satisfied with the quality. You can fill up the contact sheet on their web site and tell your car model & year there - They will send you quotation AND cloth samples. http://www.smsautofabrics.com/

Well Shell, I must admit that it crossed my mind also to find it out that way. The only problem, the car is now garaged 160miles away and I haven't been to there since Christmas. Thus I turned to library study. Based on the study and Tim's comment on it, I am pretty confident, that I do have the short block on my Detroit made car. I will however measure the head in May when I get to the garage next time. /Pekka

Roberts and Bernbaum both seems to have a mix of "N.o.S." and reproduced rubber items. N.o.S. is no good when it comes to rubber or sealing. The parts have aged & dried and tend to crack just as you said. Thus by buying from R. or B. you may get quality if you are lucky or then you get crap... Thanks to Shel for the link to Clester's. Their prices are reasonable. I think I go there when in need of weatherstripping next time.

Hi Folks, Th other day I had some correspondence with Rockwood, he asked do I have 25" or 23" block in my D24. Funny, but I could not answer. I have not touched the engine itself, but pullet oil pan for cleaning only. Have had no reason, because it is working well. Therefore I actually have not either paid much attention, which design it is. By the numbers it is most likely the original installed 230. While I tried to understand the 23"/25" block question, I found the following posting in Allpar forum: "The Plymouths and common Dodges used the 23" engine that stopped growing at 230 cubes. After WWII the De Soto's had 236 Cubes and the same era Chrysler's had 251 Cubes. In a couple of years the De Soto became 251 Cubes and the Chrysler version became 265 Cubes. Some where in this story the larger Dodge Trucks and the Farm Hay Bailer's started using the 25" engine. The "Hot Rodder's" also learned a 25" block could be bolted to the Dodge Transmission for some instant cubes, and torque. When one see's the SpitFire on any vehicle other than a Chrysler, this means a "trans- plant" has happened. All this name means is a marketing ploy. The compression and all is the same after WWII until starting about 1952'ish. The De Soto Piston Part Number for a 1947 236 cubed "S-11" engine is the same as a 1949 Chrysler 251 cubed engine. And they used the same M-6 Transmission." Do I understand correct, that all '46-'48 US made Ply's & Dodges were originally "short block" 23" engines? You are supposed to find the "long block" only in a DeSoto or C.Windsor from that three yrs era? Further, no use looking for "Spitfire"-logo head or canadian made exhaust manifolds, because they are for the 25" engines only...?

A question: The skirts - are they from Big Jim's Texas? I got me a pair which I have not yet mounted (plan to do it when I paint the car) Were there troubles fitting them in?

Congratulations 'Ball! The Coop looks stunning. It turned out a resto rod, if you do not mind me categorizing your creation. Amazing quality of craftsmanship. Let's hope for long sunny summer! /Pekka

This video really belongs to another thread in here... ..."does your better half support the hobby"...

1946-48 C39 Town & Country conv. - The most expensive & desirable car of this era, beats even Packard convertibles.

Hi Tom, Unfortunately the radio is not a search tune model. It is a factory mounted AM/FM Unit with 8-track tape. I bought me some 8-track casettes just to test it: Chicago, Allman Brothers, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Led Zeppelin. Sound quality is not near as good as today's units. I probably will up-date the speakers in summer. They are all hidden under panels, thus it does not change the appearance. Problem is, that AC unit takes all the room beneath dash board, thus there is no good place to hide a modern CD/MP3 player in the car. I may mount it removable on front floor... /Pekka

Ok, Andy. I'll look fwd to hear from Brian. /Pekka

Back off Xbit! No need to pimp the pimp ride!

I guess it is... Where ever it came from, it's not bad quality. Even the drivers seat does not have any wear or stains. Compared to modern ergonomic design seats, these are more show than go, but leather with deep knit buttons do look rich. Also the front seats are with all power gadgets, go every way controlled by small joy sticks... Eric, Thanks for the Imperial link. Some good information in there as well.

I supposed these were made for SL (Super Light) roadsters only. At least judging by the price this is really desirable item. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1946-1948-DODGE-ALUMINUM-GRILLE-NORS_W0QQitemZ250608273753QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_T

I agree 100% with all the previous speakers. Therefore I made a sticker to prevent such incidents. Feel free to use in your vehicles:

Thanks Joe. The thing is, 1976 I was 14 and went to see an exhibition the local dealer of Dodge (& japanese Datsun) put up in our small town. American cars were high end of the price scale in Finland back then. Dodge Monaco was for CEO's of big companies only. Dart was a fine car for our opinion. The Dealer throw a jackpot for us. I do not know how, but he brought the entire line to the show: The Royal Monaco, Charger, Coronet in all body styles and the Dart too. I sat in all of the Dodges and studied the engines, interiors and paint jobs half day. It was a memorable event for me. I also remember those TV detectives. Canon was my favorite, he drove Lincoln Continental and sun was shining all the time. When I saw this one up for grabs I sort of knew I had to have it. Fortunately these are not high bucks these days. Gas is climbing and we just got a new pollution based tax here, thus big boats are not popular for common man. I suppose this one would not be considered a jewel. There are some dings in the body and the AC in not working, but it has been in Utah, thus no rust anywhere. It's also been taken good care. It is purring like a kitten, well, a big cat it is. Thanks for the hints, Harold & Jim.

Yep. I know the pain - ugly old cars. For my part I have a couple of new sleek European family cars to ease the pain. When I drive those plastic cups five days a week, I'll have power enough to stand the ugliness of old american car for the Saturday. Sunday I rest and stare at the screen. Bless us all.

A salesman can be caught a lie just once - the last one.

Think again. Really. 1951 Caddy is one of the best looking automobiles of all times.

Welcome Rockable! For one thing you have a great taste for cars: '41 Coupe and '64 Catalina. I would not mind having those myself. 218 flattie is a nice engine - please drive it and get to know it before making decision to swap. There are great hop-up role models here on the forum. For instance take a look to Pete the Blueskies' souped up '50. http://www.50plymouth.com/04-eng/eng.html (Pete, I hope you don't mind me making you as an example...) Once again - Welcome! /Unkka-Pekka