What is this and what would you do with it?

[elott]

Hey all,

I found this in my grandpa's garage a few years back. Finally getting around to tinkering with it.

The best I can gather is it's some kind of replica of an older model car. Like, early cars that still resembled horse drawn carriages.

The motor is a Ford, I think it's a 2 horse. The plate is a little rusty.

It kind of resembles like a car a Shriner would drive in a parade.

It's been crashed. The wood frame is pretty beat up as you can tel.

Anyone know what it is?

Anyone know if it's worth anything?

If you owned it, would you restore it or maybe stretch the frame and make it into something else?

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[sideways]

Hey all,

I found this in my grandpa's garage a few years back. Finally getting around to tinkering with it.

The best I can gather is it's some kind of replica of an older model car. Like, early cars that still resembled horse drawn carriages.

The motor is a Ford, I think it's a 2 horse. The plate is a little rusty.

It kind of resembles like a car a Shriner would drive in a parade.

It's been crashed. The wood frame is pretty beat up as you can tel.

Anyone know what it is?

Anyone know if it's worth anything?

If you owned it, would you restore it or maybe stretch the frame and make it into something else?

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Looks like a rough replica of a Curved Dash Oldsmobile. I'd restore it, very cool. I've never seen a Ford engine like that before!

Thanks

Hayden

 

[elott]

Now that you mention it, it does look exactly like that. The front wood curved panel was busted up, but it looks like the attached picture.

I wonder if anyone knows if these were mass produced or custom built.

 

[sideways]

Now that you mention it, it does look exactly like that. The front wood curved panel was busted up, but it looks like the attached picture.

I wonder if anyone knows if these were mass produced or custom built.

I know some one made a plan set to make a 3/4 scale Curved dash olds, I've got a photocopy of it somewhere. I think it was popular mechanics. If you could get some dimensions I could compare them to the ones I have on the plans. Looks a bit small to be a full scale replica, could be wrong though.

Thanks

Hayden

 

[sideways]

As for the second part of you question, yours looks very home made. I wouldn't hesitate to say there have been hundreds of CDO replicas built, mostly at home, I've never heard of replicas being produced commercially, there just isn't the market for them. You can still get plans for them from many places. I know of a few websites that have plans for them.

Anyways, does it run? Straiten that wheel out and take it for a drive!

Thanks

Hayden

 

[bighead]

I would research the hell out of that thing before you do anything to it. You never know it could be a collectors dream. (the motor anyway)

For what it is I would restore it.

 

[devino246]

I would research the hell out of that thing before you do anything to it. You never know it could be a collectors dream. (the motor anyway)

For what it is I would restore it.

The worst thing you can do is tear into something trying to fix it, only to find out you just deminished its value.

 

[drscope]

Don't change it! Restore it carefully.

And ask lots of questions to other family members or neighbors who may have some information as to it's history.

You could be sitting on grandads hobby, or on a very rare piece of history, or both.

Don't screw it up!

 

[Russ2251]

Call an antiques dealer for an appraisal. My uncle used to go out on calls on a regular basis. He was in the antiques business for many years.
Just repainting it would diminish it's value appreciably.

 

[bighead]

I keep looking at the wheels trying to date it. Could you maybe post a close up of the wheel? Seems like a good way to get an idea wheen it was made? Or help

Those are some big spokes for bike wheels though. Any markings on the hubs?

Have you research that ford motor more?

Aslo wonder how the front end is made? can you post some more pics? If you can get a shot of the screws that hold the wood on the side? Are they modern looking screws or old vintage? look at the other hardware. Does it look old? Flat heads or phillips? Is the wood plywood or solid?

The frame does not look to be home brew. I see spot welds I think.

Is that a peace of leather for a set belt?

The axle looks huge as well.

Last question. Is that leaf spring rear suspension?

More pics please?

Great find, You must find out more before going any further.

 

[elott]

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I'll get some more pictures today or tomorrow and get them posted. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[MacfarlaneRacers]

To Me It Looks Like Erm Well Fun ;]

 

[sideways]

To me it looks like the frame is riveted together, interesting. Any signs that it once had a different engine? Or that the frame was once for something else?

Pictures of the engine mounting, frame, suspension, hubs/spindles and steering please.

Thanks

Hayden