Uncle-Pekka

Or climbing on those ladders... You haven't planned to save skyscrapers by using that machinery, have you?

What a mighty car! Thanks for sharing the great story of the awakening of an old Dodge. Best of luck and keep the story coming, we'll be looking forward to your adventures with this nice car. Cheers, Uncle-Pekka from up North

Thanks for the tips and help offer Mark. I'll be looking for rebuild one or a good cast iron flange (base) for parts. We'll keep in touch by e-mail. Thanks, Pekka

Hi folks, My car has developed certain cough & twitch upon accelerating. I suspected worn carburetor and felt radial looseness in throttle valve shaft in vertical direction. A common issue in old downdraft units, right? I suppose I need to have the bores in the carb body sleeved and possibly the throttle shaft turned to tolerance. The question is, are there spec's to do the job, any repair parts or materials to make it easier? Thanks, Pekka

I fixed mine (broke apart under hood) by joining the two parts of the cable by using the metal cage and set screws off a wire terminal block. Not professional, but I get to keep the original handle.

Here's dual axel version with two doors, but the text stated it would be 1953, thus may be still different from what you had? When I googled for the big Spartan, I also ran across the below one. It said "built by Wagemaker Co., builder of Wolverine boats" - looks a bit like the Kaunitz trailers above, but obviously newer. What's in common wit the Kaunitz, both companies were boat builders...

Hi Ulu, Thanks for sharing your childhood memories - Sounds like you guys had a great time camping in your Spartan. Especially I like the image of your observatory, studying the night sky from the trailer bunk. Was the Spartan similar to the one below?

Something odd, I linked them from Shorpy's... Just edited above - can you see it now? The other in below: The gentlemen from left to right: Mr. Kaunitz Jr. and Sr., owners & leaders of the business.

Saw the below photo originally on "Shorpy's" web pages. Camping trailers made by Kaunitz family business, Bay City, Michigan; in the mid to late 1930's (perharps onwards to 40's, 50's...?) They were originally in boat building but obviously expanded to custom coach building. Does anyone here know these? Has any of the trailers survived until present? This would be the ultimate styling, nothing even comes close.s

Photo of a brand new D24 club coupe... "Spats" on the wheel rims, factory radio antenna... But what is the thing (brackets and the vertical bar) between the grille and the bumper?

Nope, I do not think they were pre-drilled. The sweepers are not attached to weatherstrip channel, but on the window inside moulding, the wood grained part. If you look at the moulding lip you notice two things: - the staples are in random places, no two parts are exactly the same - the holes are slightly strechted out, just like the sheet metal does when you punch thought it I may post a photo later on if I'll find the time and remember to shoot a photo when I find my spare parts... And yes, it will be possible to shoot throught providing the staple is well supported by the tool and the hit speed is high enough. An industrial stapler will do it.

When I replaced the sweepers, I used tiny brass rivets. Riveted the sweepers one by one hole using small ball end hammer against narrow anvil. I have to say, it was slow and tedious job to do... Made me wonder, would there be power staplers strong enough to shoot throught the sweeper and moulding sheet metal? Would be great to shoot original style steel staples even if you need to hammer each end to lock the thing.

There is no way to fix it. The heat is permanently ON. Only one logical solution: Sell it to Finland - cheap. Trust me - Uncle will help you out,

Fred, I recall that my steering was loose when I got the car. I adjusted the steering box as per the shop manual instructions, poor copy in below. If you re-grease the unit, I would expect adjustment will not hurt it. Just do not overtight. Btw., I missed completely the reason why the engine thread was locked? - I look forward it to be unlocked and released for further discussion...

First I have to say that I really dig the way & style you have built your car, Fred. The engine looks killer already, and just the way it should be. Then I must confess that I have never done any hopping up of these engines, never before been especially interested on hopping up either... Therefore, what I'm about to say is theoretical... These MoPar flatheads are extremely mild tuned as most of the engines of the 30's period. The compression is low, cam is mild, flow of inlet & exthaust are poor, rotating masses are big... Therefore I would expect, it does not matter so much which particular size of an engine is the starting point, but more what you do to it. I recall having read that the weak spot is the crankshaft if the unit will be revved high? Thus I'd expect that 230 with long stroke would be more difficult to tune high performance than 218 with shorther stroke? Personally I would be interested on means to increase the torque rather than high rev power. Would be interested to learn the means to go there without breaking the bank... There are high level experts as Earl Edgerton, George Asche, etc., probably also material published here and otherwere on blogs Have you found/studied that material so far? All the best for your exploration, Fred. I will follow this thread with interest. Cheers, Unkka-Pekka

Nice job, indeed. However, the P12 there was optimal object for buffing display; no dents, no scratches - only dirt and sun oxidation on othervise good paint. Still I admit, that such first class job requires some knowledge and experience not to spoil the surface or damage details. Thanks for sharing - my eyes rest on a well preserved P12.

It was a CAR show - we have truck show separately... However, I mentioned the 1943 Tatra; Notice the single tube frame; drive shaft enclosed in the tube frame.

From the glory days of racing: Cooper F3 mk IV 500 midget:

Some oddities as mentioned: -the velorex: P70 Zwickau Coupe with cardboard body (yes it is...) A FOUR door FIAT 600 from the 60's (FIAT 600 was the most popular small car in Europe, but I've never seen a 4D, did you know such existed?) The Maicomobil (mid.50's, Germany) German Phänomen 3-wheeler form the beginning of the 1900's

What a weekend! The highlight of the 1st of May cruising was an amazing new import to my home town; 1934 Bugatti type 57 ! This car, chassis number 57196 is one of the first type 57 made. I never belived there would be a genuine Bugatti in Finland, let alone in the town I live. http://www.coys.co.uk/auction.php?itemID=4910 Sunday we vent 100 miles south to city of Lahti, the venue of the Classic Motor Show of Finland. I walked around the show and parking lots for five hours... The big news (to yours truly) was newly imported 1946 Chrysler Town&Country convertible project car, photo of the rough project on display below. http://www.cruisingnight.fi/index.php?view=category&catid=491&option=com_joomgallery&Itemid=152&page=2# On the parking lot there was this 1939 DeSoto. (Do you recognize the green car beside?) ... quite rare 1938 Volvo (I've never seen this vintage Volvo before)... ...and a 1938 Dodge 5w coupe street rod: (I hated the low stance and wide low profile tires on alloy spoked wheel, thus took photo of the ram only...) Too many fabulous 50's & 60's cars to report here... ...also racing cars from all ages, rarities and world famous ones... Oddities... Have you seen 1943 Tatra truck designed by Hans Ledwinka? A big truck with single tube frame? 60's tube&canvas bodied Velorex three wheeler? (There were two of those there) Mid 50's Fuldamobil CABRIO !?!? link to my photo page; https://plus.google.com/photos/110347134300169324122/albums/6144690444760326833?authkey=CKX8zdPYmvyZbg

1st of all I need to confess, that I was not there cruising my car, but merely a spectator. Unfortunately my cars are still in the winter garage far away... 2nd turn down for you guys is, that I did not spot any flathead mopars in this 1st cruising of the season here up north. However, there were nice and inspiring cars and good people around, thus I deciced to share some of my favorites; This model T is a recent import from Canada, I learned. The fellow doing on-site-tuning is the owner and a long time clasic car enthusiast, famous in Finland for supplying several movies with period vehicles...

Folks, I seem to have a possibility to buy a 1949 Hudson project... It's not cheap but not high price either. Only it is missing radiator and starter. I'm uneasy with the radiator missing; not likely be found in Finland. Expensive part in USA as well? What alternatives one would have but finding original radiator off salvaged vehicle? As I recall (have not yet seen the car for sale) the Hudson 262's had big radiators an probably much capacity required? Which modern replacements would fit and where to look for them? Thanks, Unkka

Yes, please. (the one on the left bottom corner, if I get to choose...)

Hell, yes! He was probably as honest and trustworthy as 99% of the car salesmen at that time. What can you lose? Odds are you'll be screwed anyway, at least you're leaving with a smile on your face... My biggest regret is I was not around back then and even later had not the money to buy the '57 DeSoto. p.s. If you think of it; Who'd be better face to sell '57 DeSoto but Groucho? - Salvador Dali, Vampirella or Jayne Mansfield, perharps? From todays perpective, the associations are plush, flamboyant, over the top, even surrealistic... but in graceful and charming way.

Folks Any of you who are planning to replace 5-6 years old low miles radials due to the manufacturer recommendation - please contact the undersigned. Will be glad to take the old ones off your hands. Especially if you have kept the car in garage and driven it at least some times every year, I'll gladly arrange the freight overseas... U.P.