A Dodge Day With Benefits

[RobertKB]

It all started over a year ago when Chris Bamford (bamfordsgarage) posted about finding a really good steering box in a ‘47 Dodge club coupe which he got to use in his ‘47 sedan. I messaged him and asked if the coupe still had the rear window which is the only curved glass in the car and is different in size to sedan windows and hard to find. He said the window was in the car. I was visiting relatives this weekend about 90 miles south of Edmonton, where Chris lives, and arranged to get the window which we did. It’s perfect and will make a great spare! See pic below. 
 

 

However, that is only part of the story. I met Chris at his house and visited his Garage Mahal. Inside were some amazing non-Mopar cars, aka the benefits mentioned in the title. 
 

First was a 1912 Kissel Kar that was rebuilt as a replica of the Edmonton fire chief’s car. Pictures of this car “as found” make it an unbelievable restoration. The weather was decent so we went for a drive and then for brunch. 
 

 

 

 

After brunch we got in Chris’s famous 1947 Dodge D25 sedan to go and get the window from a wrecking yard 30-40 miles out of Edmonton. Chris's Dodge has been to the southern US in the summer and driven to the Arctic Ocean in the dead of winter. Looks a little rough but runs beautifully. Chris was kind enough to let me put a few miles on it also. 
 

 

We got the window from the coupe on the left below. This yard had hundreds of old cars from the 20’s to the 70’s. 
 

 

Returning to Chris’s home we then went out for ride in his Model T sportster. We went down and up Groat Road, a very windy and steep road, at speed. What a hoot!

 

 

Chris has a couple more old cars. A 1906 Orient and a very original 1926 Model T. Chris is currently doing engine work on both. 
 

 

 

Thanks Chris for showing me such a wonderful time!! It turned out to be so much more than a rear window retrieval!!

 

I realize this a long post but I thought other members would enjoy it. 

Edited November 1, 2021 by RobertKB

[Andydodge]

Wow.......great story, that wrecking yard would be the perfect place for a visit............pity there ain't too many like it around now.............even has cars still with their jewellery, ie, tailights & bumpers.........and am impressed with Chris' collection........andyd 

[RobertKB]

Andy, the yard is amazing. Lots of really old cars and as you say, these yards are getting few and far between. A couple of 30’s Packards and a Pierce Arrow in there. They were well picked over but certainly recognizable. Most cars were parts cars but a few very desirable cars that would be candidates for a proper restoration. A few more pictures of the yard. The DeSoto coupe in the middle of the last picture is one he will only sell complete. 
 

It always amazes me to think these cars were once brand new and someone’s pride and joy. 
 

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2021 by RobertKB

[bamfordsgarage]

I second Robert's comments... it was a real fun old car day!  Up here in Edmonton, most northerly big city in Canada, we are not 'on the way' to many places and get few visitors. It's always fun when someone drops by and I can tell you Robert makes very good company. 

 

Here are a few more photos: Robert piloting the Mighty D25; a later-'30s Packard sedan; Pierce-Arrow sedan with signature headlights-in-fenders; more '30s sedans including a Packard with possible sealed-beam conversion; general yard view.  Astute readers will note the sky clouded over since Robert's photos posted above — in fact, my yard photos are about a year old and were shot whilst retrieving the replacement steering box that is in the car now.

[RobertKB]

Interesting to note that in the second picture of my second post in this thread and the fourth picture in Chris’s post the same Packard appears. Difference in my picture taken a year later is that the car next to it on the driver’s side is gone. Someone possibly got it as a project but more likely for parts and it will live on in another project. 

Chris’s picture from a year ago

 

 

My recent picture. 
 

Edited November 2, 2021 by RobertKB