Car Collector Chronicles 03-11.pdf

A GDYNETS® PUBLICATION © 2011, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Car Collector Chronicles ®

Volume IV, Issue 3

Exploring:

The Ride That Got Away—NOT

 Car Collecting Today  Classic Rides  Reports From the Field  Oldsmobile (1897-2004)  Cadillac (1902- )  Allanté (1987-1993)

 Corvair (1960-1969)

When in California, in January, I spoke with my nephew regarding his ride. It is a ‘57 Bug, originally owned by his father.

It has been through many configurations during its lifetime.

He recently regained possession of it, after it had been stolen and gone for a number of years.

While the current possessor did have a title for the car, my nephew was able to convince law enforcement to seize the car as stolen property. But only after brining his title and a oneoff tool (setscrew driver) he fabricated himself to install the semaphore turn signal arms.

IN THIS ISSUE:

The Ride That Got Away-NOT

1

GDYNets On the Web

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MotoMeters

2

Kennedy Ambulance at B-J

4

Coming Next Issue

Here is another true story, also emanating from California: When our son was old enough to drive, we promised him a used car to drive to school. He found a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air at a used car dealer. It was about 50% restored and something my wife and I could afford.

He drove the car through high

Find GDYNets on the web:

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CCC® -THE FORUM http://ccc.activeboard.com

CCC® Forum EMail: OldsD88@gmail.com

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school, then he married. His wife then drove the car to her work at a supermarket.

One night the car was hotwired and stolen. The highway patrol called about a week later, stating the car was found abandoned on the freeway about 100 miles away. Whoever stole the car obviously wasn’t familiar with old cars and where to put in the gas. The trunk held a toolbox and 5 gals. of gas. Entry to the trunk had been gained by removal of the rear seat. The toolbox was missing, but the gas can was still there, full. The idiots could not find the gas tank fill-tube!

This last story comes from Kansas: A couple were selling off their car collection due to age. It included the first vehicle the husband had ever purchased; in this case it happened to be a pickup truck. As luck would have it, the truck was stolen. The owner was so certain he would see it again, that

he carried the key with him for 10 + years. Sure enough, while out driving one day he spotted it. It was now a different color and a bit rusty, but the owner knew his ride when he saw it.

He walked up to the truck, unlocked the door and started it up! He drove it home and re-asserted his right of ownership.

GDYNets® on the Web

Car Collector Chronicles-scribd

Photos

March 2011

Car Collector Chronicles

Saved 62 - 1962 Olds web site http://www.freewebs.com/ jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville web site

SAVED 62: A website devoted

to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds.

THE GRAY LADY: This website features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy information.

DAVE’S DEN: A website devoted to a myriad of interests.

Foremost is extensive information on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmobile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. George Yaros.

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MOTOMETERS In the February issue I included a picture of a 1912 Oldsmobile Limited MotoMeter. Having broached the subject, at least photographically, I thought it may prove interesting to take a look at this device, and the company?

The first question has to be, just what the heck is a MotoMeter? What do they do? Why were they used? Why are they not used today? All logical questions. “… [A] Motometer is … an aftermarket combination temperature sensing device and gauge, ‘among other things’.”

The simplest explanation for what is a MotoMeter is that it was an after-market combination temperature sensing device and gauge, among other things. We shall get to the “among other things” later.

The company was founded in 1912 by George H. Townsend. It was based in Long Island, New York. Eventually, it also had manufacturing facilities in Europe. It continued to operate, from 1912 through 1934. At that point, it merged with the Electric Autolite Co. of LaCrosse, WI. Electric Autolite still exists today. We know it simply as Autolite.

Certain automobile engineering traits were common to early 20th century vehicles. Radiators were integral to the exterior design. Engines did not have fans, water pumps or thermostats. Engine coolant, in this case water, circulated as a result of thermosiphoning.

If you are like me, on seeing this word, you are probably asking what is “thermosiphoning”? The dictionary states it is a means whereby coolant is circulated by convection, caused by a difference in density between the hot and cold portions of the liquid, With none of the cooling system features common today, maintaining engine operating temperature was of critical importance. Enter Harrison Hulbert Boyce. He is the actual inventor of the MotoMeter (http:// www.freepatentsonline.com/1451527.pdf). Eventually, he sold the manufacturing and marketing rights to George Townsend. At all times Boyce was vigilant in the preservation of his patent rights. He sued more than one entity for patent infringement. For these reasons, at all times the device bore the name of, and was known as, the “Boyce MotoMeter.”

So what is it, and what does it do? It is a temperature gauge, mounted in a radiator cap. What it does is measure the engine temperature. Notice, I said “engine” temperature, not water. That is because what is measured is not the temperature of the coolant (water).

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Rather, the temperature of the water vapor is what was actually measured. The gauge provided readings of Low, Average and Hot. It also provided warnings that a low temp uses gas inefficiently, and that a sudden rise in temperature necessitates immediate investigation.

The gauge came in a number of models; Senior, Junior, Midget and Universal. Some models provided the capability of being illuminated to ease use for night time driving.

The gauge worked quite well. Millions of units were sold. The problem with the gauge was that on many cars of the day, the radiator cap was so distant from the driver seat that it was, shall we say, a bit difficult to read!

What brought about the demise of the MotoMeter? There was nothing inherently wrong with the gauge at all. The simple fact is, automotive design advanced to the point that the radiator was no longer a prominent feature of vehicle exteriors. Radiators became invisible, being placed under the hood, rendering the MotoMeter useless.

Early on, mention was made of the MotoMeter being a gauge, “among other things.” Among the ‘other things’ it encompassed was becoming a hood ornament and a vehicle nameplate. Auto manufacturers wanted their name and/or logo prominent on the front of their cars. Townsend was more than willing to accommodate them. After all, being willing to do so put money in his pocket. Consequently, one sees MotoMeters bearing Cadillac, Duesenberg, Packard, Studebaker, you-name-it, shields and script on the front sight glass.

In order to facilitate easy removal of the gauge/radiator cap, Townsend hit upon the idea of putting dog bone handles at the base. These subsequently morphed into wings and other decorative designs. With this transformation from functional handles to exotic design, the hood ornament as a work of art was born.

In studying the photo at the beginning of this discussion, one will notice a chain and bar attached to this MotoMeter. It served a very practical purpose, combating thievery. The bar and chain performed sort of a locking function in that it impeded the quick and simple removal of the MotoMeter from one’s car. The more things change, the more they stay the same, don’t they?

MotoMeters are anything but a rarity. In late January of 2011, I was able to call up 3 pages of listings for the gauges on ebay™. Prices range from a low of less than $25, to far in excess of $300.

“Among the ‘other things’ it encompassed was becoming a hood ornament and a vehicle nameplate.”

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MotoMeters are still able to be serviced. Parts are available, as well as replicas. Restoration Supply, Inc., (http://ww.RestorationStuff.com) is the go-to organization to contact for such needs.

On the photo page of this issue you will find depictions of the Boyce MotoMeter.

KENNEDY AMBULANCE AT B-J Having read about, and watched the Barrett-Jackson explanation for, the Navy ambulance that allegedly carted JFK’s casket from Air Force One in D.C. in 1963, I have to wonder why B-J did not reject the vehicle from its catalog? It seems that to have included it did more harm than good to its corporate reputation/image?

I was most impressed with the fact that the purported letter of authenticity from some Rear Admiral, who could/should know, came from some guy who retired from the Navy in 1961! How would this person know or be able to verify anything that transpired two years after his departure from the service?

Any one with familiarity of Navy ambulances, and I am one because of my service in the Marine Corps, knows they were never painted the words “U.S. Navy” on the side. It was, would have been, and should be, “US Navy,” without the periods.

Perhaps most telling was the alleged Navy data plate screwed onto the glove box door? It was larger than, and contained far more lines for vehicle info than the those actually used by the Navy. The Navy data plate found on the B-J listed vehicle is a stock item that is able to be purchased in blank on ebay™!

Discretion being the better part of valor, B-J would have been wise to reject this consignment, as it apparently did previously, in 2009. The resulting stained reputation will end up costing far more than the $21,600 in commissions realized on the $120,000 sale.

Ok, I’ve had my say for the month. Now its your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and contributions, and ask that you help spread the word about our pub. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC® at OldsD88@gmail.com.

Now that you have finished reading this month’s issue of our pub, come start/join an ongoing dialog between other CCC® readers and like-minded car collector folk on the CCC® Forum. Stop by, check us out and share your views … . _______________________________________

-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM! COMING NEXT ISSUE:   

A True One Owner The Spirit of Ecstasy Olds Crest (Deciphered)

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