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oldschool
User
Dec 14, 2015, 4:23 PM
Post #1 of 45
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Wanna go back in time
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My first car was a five year old 1966 T-Bird Convertible.
Made for a Ford Exec to assess all available options.
Color was Honeydew Melon. A genuine 1960's Cream Puff.
That was a long time ago.
Dang.
Today, retirement income has me scrambling for good wheels.
I'd like to find a car I can afford to own and maintain myself.
I prefer "older" cars.
Please advise. I need a daily driver.
Here are some thoughts about me choosing my next car...
1960s or 1970s seems right for me.
Dont get me wrong....I really like the 1950s too.
Seat belts are great. I will install them if needed.
I dont want a car that beeps at me.
I would like to be able to hotwire my car if I misplaced my key. (not essential though)
I like the old keys that cost a few bucks to replace. Not a hundred bucks like today.
Not to mention those old keys can go snorkeling with you and not get ruined.
I dont want code lights telling me to check engine farts or else fail inspection.
Old school dashboard gauges are all that anyone ever needed, in my humble opinion.
Its better to know what information gauges are reporting in real time, I think.
Mechanical and maintenance parts that should be available, so not too old a car.
To heck with beeping emission Sh!t.
No offense to certain parties in Washington.
Old trucks maybe OK for me too.
Is that enough to start with?
Thanks
oldschool
PS:
Edited to add:
I'm asking for advice on choosing an older car I can afford to own and maintain.
I think I want a simpler car (a simpler life perhaps).
I know 'detroit' has come along way, but those old cars seemed easier to maintain, back then.
These days I can only afford a ten+ year old car that beeps and needs computer experts to fix stuff.
(This post was edited by carjunky on Dec 14, 2015, 5:10 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 14, 2015, 5:01 PM
Post #2 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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I don't know what you think you are going to buy but any vintage car from those decades that is in reasonably good, running condition is going to be worth upwards of $15,000 to $20,000 so you need to climb back into the 21st century if you don't want to spend a lot of money.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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oldschool
User
Dec 14, 2015, 5:21 PM
Post #3 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Here in rural Maine prices may be different than that.
Typical example:
A 1961 Buick, rust free, good running cond, asking price $5500.
Same price range for some good old trucks.
Prices are lower if rusty.
Nonetheless your point is well taken.
In Maine I'd gladly pay 10-15K for a good old car.
Anyways, could you please advise regarding points in my opening post?
Thanks
oldschool
(This post was edited by oldschool on Dec 14, 2015, 5:22 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 14, 2015, 5:23 PM
Post #4 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Not me................ I'm not living in the past.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 15, 2015, 2:21 AM
Post #5 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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You could hang out at some of the local antique car shows. I've seen quite a few of them for sale at some of those shows. Plus you get to actually see them up close.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 15, 2015, 2:53 AM
Post #6 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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! Think again on what a "Daily Driver" is for now I think you are forgetting that they both rusted (Maine) in short order and you'll almost never find truly good rubber for doors and windows if molded.
Owned those birds but they weren't old then. Huge heavy and powerful. NO room for anything for the size of them if practical matters.
You've also forgotten they required (all) premium fuel no longer available despite the name you see at a pump. Two of those I couldn't get more than 11 MPG downhill with a tailwind so think of that. Under 10 common. It's fine if you either don't care at all but probably real hard to find fuel that's right for the era for daily use if it was free.
If real serious and gong to do something no matter what and really need to count on it you'll need great storage for it and a good parts car stored as well of the same.
Maine again: Think again that even if road salting is eliminated which is the enemy the traction dirt/product used will still break windshields and good luck finding new glass.
Pre seat belt and retrofit: Not required when not built with them new almost anything pre 1964. Again you may forget they didn't automatically retract out of your way so much thought for that required. Wrong belts are deadly.
Total opinion: That car or truck you though was so great when new or newer if in the same condition you find it's not likely to be comfortable at all if only seat springs. Forget A/C for Maine just because early A/C was very invasive to the vehicle even if you didn't maintain it working.
Suggestion if you look around for a place: Rent something you liked for a month and I think you'll change your mind FOR A DAILY DRIVER. That's the buzz word that makes this impractical totally.
BTW - I'm in MA (near 495 + 90 area) and most family and friends moved to retire to ME and NH contrary to what you think you would want just for the piece and quiet of most areas of each. All a horror show for vehicles if used. Look around - do you see any at all out and used now on any type of lousy weather? NO, been there done that you don't,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 15, 2015, 3:02 AM
Post #7 of 45
(4154 views)
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Your edit >>
Edited to add:
I'm asking for advice on choosing an older car I can afford to own and maintain.
I think I want a simpler car (a simpler life perhaps).
I know 'detroit' has come along way, but those old cars seemed easier to maintain, back then.
These days I can only afford a ten+ year old car that beeps and needs computer experts to fix stuff. <<
Just saw that. Detroit is totally bankrupt and the once car capitol of the world is not. What seemed easier and some really is vs unfixable techno anything that will not be supported forever is just as much of a pain now if only finding routine parts.
FYI - Totally as new cars even the collections of car makers are not useable cars without a lot of work if only anything vinyl or rubber forget it. It ages in a new box to useless, T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 15, 2015, 5:38 AM
Post #8 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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I'm going to say that not all older cars are easy to work on. Another thing to consider is the availability of parts if you want this as a daily driver.
Probably a good vehicle if you wouldn't mind having it is a truck such as a 90's TBI fuel injected Chevy or GMC with a 350 if you can find one that is in nice shape. They are not too difficult to work on. Another one is a 90's Ford pickup with a fuel injected 5.0L or even a later 2000's truck that has a 4.6L or 5.8L 2 V engine. I had a 87 Ford F150 5.0L with an AOD that was rust free and that I put a lot of miles on. I really didn't have too many troubles with it. It just depends on the condition of the vehicle you find. If it is going to be an older vehicle more than likely it is going to have old parts that are going to be at the end of their service life, so you better make sure you can source those parts.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 15, 2015, 5:43 AM)
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oldschool
User
Dec 15, 2015, 9:34 AM
Post #9 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Thanks guys for taking the time to write thoughtful and helpful answers !!
Discretesignals' suggestion of certain trucks sounds like a good lead.
Are there any model years in particular recommended? (such as 92 or 95 rather than "90s")
Chevy or Ford ? (unless that is like asking Yankees or Red Sox)
(This post was edited by oldschool on Dec 15, 2015, 9:38 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 15, 2015, 1:00 PM
Post #10 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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First off note that the site is undergoing some difficulties and some posts may not show at all or right away.
Cherry picking most reliable models and model years is an advantage of hindsight. Totally old is it's own issue and rusted out parts of it eventually a problem. At some point availability the issue but trucks hang on much longer for parts I've noticed for a long time.
Can't speak for everywhere but hanging on to vehicles too long that are wrecked/junked and for parts is fading where I am not far away. The space is valuable to wait to sell something then add plain value of the vehicles core metal value such that major parts are taken and inventoried then the rest let for total recycling.
That really hurts for stupid dinky parts needed or wanted but can't justify keeping the whole vehicles for nickel dime parts. Some, more trucks likely, will be made aftermarket to a point.
I guess pre OBDII would be helpful for the longer run meaning model years before 1996. At some point mandatory parts and the tools to deal with them will also just fade out.
Much older - like first mentioned the very people familiar with obsolete designs aren't available so easily for help not if but when needed.
IDK - take your time deciding. In a career one thing stands is that vehicles need something now and then if only routine gets harder,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 15, 2015, 2:12 PM
Post #11 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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All of those vehicles that DS suggested are fuel injected and have computers and sensors.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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kev2
Veteran
Dec 15, 2015, 4:45 PM
Post #12 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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I think DS is suggesting early injected vehicles so called OBD1 throttle body - single o2 sensor because they EASY to work on, old school would be comfortable they are not overly complicated - familiar components - dist with rotors, injectors you can observe. cable throttles, lots to like
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 15, 2015, 5:02 PM
Post #14 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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I wonder how much of it is a pita to work on a convertible T bird? Can't imagine dealing with the hydraulics or whatever it uses.
You just have to look around. Car shows would be your best bet if your looking for something old that has been restored. I personally like fuel injection and computer controlled ignition myself. The main thing is finding one that doesn't require major body work and has already been restored. So many to choose from.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 16, 2015, 5:20 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 16, 2015, 2:03 AM
Post #15 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Forget the T-Bird - loved them - leaked like nuts new and at a year old needed new tops never mind now. There is wiring in hard rubber you staple new tops to about NA for less buy any new car that shorts out, hydraulics as said. Neat now for collections never driven again. Optional electronic ignition, std disc brakes needed annual attention new if only got wet, wild costs now possible or only custom made parts for some things. You can't even fix the OE sequential directionals in those they sell a electronic thing to duplicate that now and do it again now.
That far back go for a truck already said unless you keep multiple cars and have a team of people to tend to vehicles you can't just play Jay Leno with this stuff at that caliber.
Go injected now. Said - there's not an ample supply of parts never mind people who can do more that Google how to tweak complicated ones now would be in their 90s +.
Look and think all seals and rubber parts including tires no good if OE now.
The buzz word was to be driver. That alone kills this whole dream you have move up in decades and even then if you we live long enough those too just are going to be obsolete.
Try this from Maine: Since 90% of population is coastal and South of Portland go to he Loudon, NH car show at the speedway. Still popular and not too far to go to for you.
Anything there is for sale even if not a sign saying so if barter away. Show will have anything that moved on display and if a lousy day some won't come out of sealed trailers at all. There's a museum near Rockland, ME both cars and aircraft - not that wild, nothing in there runs last visit I was there.
Not sure why but the huge collections seem to be in Maryland and Pennsylvania for Somewhat Northeastern, US. Others exist are totally private, no windows in staffed metal barns usually until you head far West or South - exactly Florida not other Southern areas/states.
Keep thinking about what I think is only going to be if anything at all a short lived dream if you do this at all and find out it's near impossible,
T
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oldschool
User
Dec 16, 2015, 4:17 PM
Post #16 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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That's not what he's asking for.......... I dont want a car that beeps at me. I would like to be able to hotwire my car if I misplaced my key. (not essential though) I like the old keys that cost a few bucks to replace. Not a hundred bucks like today. Not to mention those old keys can go snorkeling with you and not get ruined. I dont want code lights telling me to check engine farts or else fail inspection. Old school dashboard gauges are all that anyone ever needed, in my humble opinion. Its better to know what information gauges are reporting in real time, I think. Mechanical and maintenance parts that should be available, so not too old a car. To heck with beeping emission Sh!t.
Yep...I posted that, before I got older, less nostalgic, and wiser thanks to y'all....Therefore...please allow me to revise my request...
I now see the problems with the age of cars having the features in my description. What year and type (truck ok) would you guys suggest, bearing in mind the general tone of my original post, but dropping the tight parameters. I'm thinking that some members here get my general tone, and will have favorite vehicle types of your own which apply. I do have time, tools, and skills needed to do whatever is needed, mostly.
Thanks again !
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 16, 2015, 4:27 PM
Post #17 of 45
(4053 views)
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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The vehicles that DS suggested have throttle body injection and are about as basic and simple as it gets these days. They still have a check engine light and a computer though. At least you can check codes on those without buying any equipment. All you need is a paper clip.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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oldschool
User
Dec 16, 2015, 6:00 PM
Post #18 of 45
(4047 views)
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Thanks Hammer Time, Discretesignals, Tom Greenleaf, kev2
You have helped me a lot !
Responding to some points made above;
It was fun watching the 66 TBird hydraulic screws close and tighten down the lid which covered the convertible top boot area. Those sequential blinking directional signals were a fun feature too. All in all a fun ride. I'm glad I sold it to a TBird collector, in Scituate, 1979.
Yes old time junkyards and their owners are fading. The TV show American Pickers guys mentioned that while visiting a big old junkyard in N J. The elderly owner had his old 30s & 40s race cars there. The Pickers rightly said at least one such old yard should be made into an educational museum before they are all gone.
Yes Owls Head Transportation Museum near Rockland ME surely has some great old stuff. I was amazed at the size and strength of those elegant beasts from the twenties. Some were running, last summer at the open house.
Yep, distributors and rotors are familiar to me. I still have my tiny old file for dressing up scorched ignition points.
PS
Frankly, I'm not necessarily married to the nostalgia, as much as I love those old cars. I wish I could afford to keep one or two out of the rain. I am OK with it if I see that a good old (not that old) Ford or Chev or Dodge or somesuch is a wiser choice. I might even consider a foreign car if its affordable and easy to maintain, and parts are available. I know there are lots of dedicated old Toyota owners raving for similar reasons.
Thanks again !!!!
(This post was edited by oldschool on Dec 16, 2015, 6:09 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 17, 2015, 3:20 AM
Post #19 of 45
(4033 views)
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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OlsSchool: I love the wild imagination of older things and have many. Just the materials available except for protected metal from all elements will degrade with even UV light.
Yes - It was Owl's Head Light I was at last in Maine. I'll leave the link as it's not competing with anything but even that place is amateur by any standard. Wonderful and peaceful place to go or even live around living greatly the old days just not USING a car killed your whole dreams of accomplishing that without insane $ to make whole. 60's began foam filled extruded padded parts that just cold make bust like light bulb glass for example and 1,000 other things. The current only way would be to have the molds and machines to reproduce just that now - not available as they were destroyed.
Go to a car show. See how very talented people made them as OE as possible for looks out of current materials.
Reason for trucks as so much didn't do that anywhere or much less.
Side notes and observations on materials over time: The original plastic before named was Bak-Lite. When plastics first came out it was thought it would never degrade - wrong - it does.
Dupont by name upgraded many plastics and rubber products with the use of it's patented Silicone. Which vehicles or items would pay for that isn't easily known. Certainly not most cars as there wasn't a chance anyone would pay the price for the new finished product with an improvement you can't see when new.
I've been to major private collections, one within a mile of me now. Looks like a huge barn from the outside. Inside is 200 cars and an elevator plus a staff I was told of 40 people/techs of all trades just to tend to them. It's totally closed to the public.
This type anal retentive habit/obsession is around but unseen and rare.
OK - you ASKED for a specific model year. It will be a grouping of a few model years - gets harder as it matters which assembly plant it was made at listed on the door jam.
Whole idea already said. For love nor money unless you build what you want new periodically it's about impossible to drive it or expose it to much of anything.
Having one and things about the era to look at is possible, use it and it will fail,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 17, 2015, 6:43 AM
Post #20 of 45
(4030 views)
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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The link is no good anyway
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 17, 2015, 7:53 AM
Post #21 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Didn't check it just knew it was there still and been there. Love Maine - if not a coastal place most of the rest is vast areas for wood for paper or lumber and some Winter sport areas.
It's still a hard place on cars, lots of dirt roads still inland.
Maine is still mostly its own way of life and living borders only NH and water and HUGER by land mass than you would think but not very populated as said inland, T
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oldschool
User
Dec 17, 2015, 1:22 PM
Post #22 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Sorry about the bad link...
It is link deleted ......... not allowed/ if ok to link since not competing with anything.
Yup, Maine can definitely be rough on cars.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Dec 17, 2015, 5:23 PM)
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oldschool
User
Dec 17, 2015, 2:47 PM
Post #23 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Yep, I remember Bakelite. There are sites with vintage bakelite jewelry, radios, cutlery, etc for sale.
How about Oleo. An old timer told me he thought that the oleo era marked the beginning of the decline in certain qualities of life. (sort of a joke)
I shook hands with a Union army civil war veteran. He and another were in the back seat of a Cadillac convertible in a Memorial Day parade, around 1954 or so, in Quincy, Mass. He was perhaps a hundred or so. I was around 5 or 6 back then. I did the math and it is possible he could have shook hands with a veteran of the Revolutionary war when he was 5 or 6. Made it all seem not so long ago.
Thanks again for your help guys.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 17, 2015, 5:25 PM
Post #24 of 45
(3996 views)
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Links are not allowed here. The only reason I didn't delete the last one is because it didn't work.
FORUM RULES
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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oldschool
User
Dec 17, 2015, 6:42 PM
Post #25 of 45
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Re: Wanna go back in time
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Links are not allowed here. The only reason I didn't delete the last one is because it didn't work.
FORUM RULES Thanks for the rules. No links allowed, I see how that one could be deemed advertising, sorry. For the record, before seeing the rules, I took it to be OK since a moderator said earlier in post 19: "...I'll leave the link as its not competing with anything..." |
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