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DEAR DIARY

  • ETHAN ALLEN TURNER
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28 Mar 2007 05:37 #6702 by ETHAN ALLEN TURNER
Replied by ETHAN ALLEN TURNER on topic Dear diary
Hi Bill If your thinking of fixing this car I have three great doors that you might need had them at the swap meet in Mecca. sold one front door to our current hard working EL CAPTAIN Pat Leahy. They are in great shape, I was thinking to use the rear doors for the outer skin for my cabriolet. Just in the exploratory stage. It's a catch 22 I guess. What ever you decide keep up the passion and you are not nuts. Passion is the whole thing!

LIFE MEMBER #25 Man of the Year 2011 WHAT EVER WE DO FOR OURSELF DIES WITH US
WHAT EVER WE DO FOR THE WORLD STAYS
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27 Mar 2007 14:54 #6691 by DJT
Replied by DJT on topic DEAR DIARY
It's a tough choice Bill...

spend tons on 2 cars to get them the way you want or use one as a parts car can spend considerably less and get your other car on the road.

if someone would buy the beverly from you, would that be enough to get your cord the way you want it? prolly not, correct?

it's sad to see such wonderful cars disappear, but the "unkown" fate of the buldge plays into part of this, correct? what happens if the buldge doesn't take the pressure off, is that money spent wasted trying to save it, will it cost more, or will the car be as grand as it should be?

i would almost lean towards if 1 car can help sooo many other cars, then go for it! but like everyone else said, tis a sad day to see a great classic be taken apart...

on second thougth....... i have no clue to what's best to do. but whatever you decide, i can live with it and will stand beside you.


unless the other members are throwing rocks, them i'm standing behind you. <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

-David
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TnT Shutterbug Photography
www.tntshutterbugphotography.com

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  • AceCollins
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26 Mar 2007 03:26 #6684 by AceCollins
Replied by AceCollins on topic DEAR DIARY
I will probably never be to afford to an open car. My "fleet" consists of three sedans, a 34 Auburn 652Y (yes, not just a sedan, but an humble six), a 36 Westchester and a 37 Lincoln Zephyr. As I fix them up, I do them as drivers. Firstly, I don't have the funds to do them as show cars. Secondly, as four door sedans a complete nuts and bolts restoration would probably not come close to returning the costs. Thirdly, I like to drive each of them at least once a week, and I would be scared to drive a show car that much even if I could afford to build one. Still, I do my best to keep them as original as I can, and when the kids get out of college maybe I can even afford to bring the Auburn and Cord from Texas to Auburn once a year. In truth, I find this trio of sedans to be wonderful art-deco showcases of rolling art and history. So, I will keep them up as drivers; grease on the engine and a bit of mud on the carpet. After all, in that condition they reflect the current shape of their owner and his bank account.

1934 Auburn 652Y Four-Door Sedan
1936 Cord 810 Westchester

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26 Mar 2007 02:34 #6683 by
Replied by on topic DEAR DIARY
Hi bailing wire If I wasn,t up to my super charged neck in my cab. I would take on that project ,thanks for the faith .Bill I like what you did changing the dented beverly to the undented cab. I can do that to only it takes a little longer Ha Ha .thanks Tom D.

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  • balinwire
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26 Mar 2007 01:24 #6682 by balinwire
Replied by balinwire on topic organ doner
When a Cord is viewed from any angle, it?s so beautiful. In today?s world that is a rare commodity.
An open Cord car will bring a truly appropriate value. Somehow the sedans value is diminished. There have been auction sales but these values would not cover the restoration costs. These cars are really truly old now. A car from the forties is old and these go all the way back to 37!
Other more modern 70?s cars bring as much at auction if not more. Wasn?t the Cord supposed to sell for five times a productions automobiles cost?
It?s incredible how many 36-7 Cord?s have survived intact, almost to the detriment of the rare sedan body value. A vehicle is now worth quite less the value of the restoration. Value is all in the rarity and for being as rare as they are they seem quite undervalued.
Now the ?cars jewelry?, gauges, taillights, gears and parts are worth more than the whole car?s market value and are broken up.
One great thing about pre-war hand built cars are really nothing more than 25,000 different parts and if one is bent or broken, replace or mend the part.
If we speculate and say the sedans increase in value at the slow rate as they have lets say, from 1970. What will the replacement value be in 3 more decades? Hopefully values would be as much as today?s restoration investments.
If the values double every ten years would that be out of line? Body shop and supply shops can?t do the restores any cheaper than they do today with ever increasing labor, parts costs, rent, electricity, etc.
When I look at the Natmus restoration of the # 10 GM Futurliner, I have to believe anything is possible. Of course these men were all volunteers and had donations and a small budget.
www.futurliner.org/index.html
We all know the wonderful ACD history and the lives of the people involved. If indeed there was a theatrical discovery as in the Tucker story and with that notoriety would not then there be reason to bring these terminal vehicles back to their former glory.
It would be nice if we could all get together with Bill and have a good old fashioned barn raising and help him fix this car!
There was some good advice I got here at the ACD website,
Increase your insurance, again!

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  • Bill Hummel
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25 Mar 2007 21:55 #6681 by Bill Hummel
Replied by Bill Hummel on topic Philantrhropic?
Whoa! Ethan! Philanthropic? Turn-about is fair play! I remember my $800 trunk latches and my $1500 steering column. No one wants to tell his friends he has cheap parts on his ACD car!

All kidding aside, I will do I what I can to keep as many ACD cars on the road as possible.

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  • ETHAN ALLEN TURNER
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25 Mar 2007 19:32 #6679 by ETHAN ALLEN TURNER
Replied by ETHAN ALLEN TURNER on topic great help to others
Hello Bill,
Well, after reading all the response's I believe that helping others with parts from your LWB Cord will help the the club get more cars on the road that are being restored. You can singled handily help yourself with your car and be philanthropic with other members needs. Tom D is one of a few brave men in our club that could take on such a monumental task.
I for one would could use a few parts for my car. Good luck with your endeavor.

LIFE MEMBER #25 Man of the Year 2011 WHAT EVER WE DO FOR OURSELF DIES WITH US
WHAT EVER WE DO FOR THE WORLD STAYS
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  • Bill Hummel
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24 Mar 2007 19:18 #6669 by Bill Hummel
Replied by Bill Hummel on topic Cord Killer?

curtis bartell wrote: You would be surprised what you can learn to do when you are a tightwad like me. No Offense Please, Curt


No offense taken Curt! I like seeing all of these replies and I am glad this topic is generating so much interest!

I am much better at creating websites than straightening metal. Therefore, all of the body work will be handled by a professional restoration shop. That's where the high $$$ come from. I am only qualified to do the most minor of repairs.

What I will do is step back and take a deep breath. I am not a Cord Killer. But, I am not opposed to harvesting organs from a donor car when numerous restoration shops and the former owner tell me NOT to try to save the car.

This whole topic is like a Red State / Blue State argument. There's arguments to be made for both sides. My side is the correct side however.

Here's what I am going to do ...

I am going to put the top down on my Cabriolet tomorrow and enjoy the nice Spring weather down here. My wife and I are going to a CCCA Chili Cookoff about 40 miles from my house. It will be a nice day for a drive. Plenty of time to think about my game plan.

By the way, here is one reason why the Pros say this will be a difficult but not impossible restoration: Look at the very slight bulge over the driver's door. There was a diagonal shift of the entire egg-shaped body shell when the car was struck in the right-rear. It's possible everything may snap back somewhat when the pressure is released, but that is the great unknown.


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  • Curtis Bartell
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24 Mar 2007 18:55 #6668 by Curtis Bartell
Replied by Curtis Bartell on topic DEAR DIARY
Bill, I told myself I wouldn't get involved in this discussion, but since others feel the same as I do, I guess I'll put in my two bits. My 37' Beverly has much more damage than the custom you are about to dismantle, and I can promise you this. #1 some day I will have it in mint condition, and #2 I won't have 65000 to 95000 dollars in the whole project because quite frankly I could never afford to spend that kind of money on a car. You would be surprised what you can learn to do when you are a tightwad like me. No Offense Please, Curt

"I've cut it twice and it's still too short."

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23 Mar 2007 22:31 #6658 by
Replied by on topic DEAR DIARY
Hi Bill what happen to my responce ? Are you getting to much heat? maybe you should run a ad and sell the Beverly ,Am sure someone would like to restore it That is the goal of the club. yours Tom Dudley

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  • Bill Hummel
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23 Mar 2007 16:30 #6655 by Bill Hummel
Replied by Bill Hummel on topic Save the Beverly
DEAR DIARY,

The natives are getting restless. As suspected, the Club members are 50-50 on the Beverly preservation project. Then again, they were eventually 50-50 on the Cabriolet restoration project.

What to do? One less Custom on the road makes all the rest more valuable and will provide much needed parts for other Cords. On the other hand, it is so sad to part out any Cord. Damn ... If only this thing had been a Packard ...

Nothing is set in stone. The Custom Beverly is now tucked away securely. Everything sounds good on paper. I now have alll the parts to rebuild my Cabriolet. That's why I am weighing all of my options. If I had unlimited funds I would just fix them both and keep them. It's so much easier to buy then sell.

Either way, it's going to cost a lot. No one I have talked to has come anywhere near the 30K Pat has mentioned. So, I will talk with him further in Texas next month. Tom D. has done so many of these things I have to take him seriously too.

Everyone has their favorite bodystyle. Mine happens to be the Cabriolet. I don't even particularly care if it is supercharged. The thought keeps going on in the back of my mind, if I pump in 80-100K what do I want to be driving?

Diary, between you and me, if someone was serious about saving the Beverly, they would make me a cash offer and take the decision away from me....

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  • Bill Hummel
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21 Mar 2007 21:49 #6634 by Bill Hummel
Replied by Bill Hummel on topic Take a Gander
Hi Pat,

You are welcome to stop by and check it out while you are in Texas. Send me the name of the fellow who did your repairs.

I would rather not dismantle the Custom Beverly. For 30K I might not. Depends how it is going to be restored. I will talk to you about it when you get here.

Maybe I will dismantle a S/C Phaeton ....

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  • Pat Leahy
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21 Mar 2007 15:59 #6632 by Pat Leahy
Replied by Pat Leahy on topic Custom Beverly
It sad to see this great Custom dismantled (I have a soft spot for these rare cars). The shop that helped me rebuild my Custom after its wreck (must worse than yours), can rebuild this for appproximately $30K (They viewed your extensive photos). I know that high end restoration facilities will want a high price, but this is collision damage. With fibergalss front fenders, this would be much less than $30K to repair. Keep in mind, there are plenty of drive train systems available + rear axles, and gas tanks to rebuild yours. As you have noticed these cars can be excellent drivers. I am sure the restoring of this car would bring joy to its former owner. Well enough for the guilt trip for now. See you in Texas next month.

Pat Leahy

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  • Josh Malks
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21 Mar 2007 13:58 #6630 by Josh Malks
Replied by Josh Malks on topic DEAR DIARY
Diary is a great idea, even tho the next entry is still some time away.

Readers may think that the body of the car has just a "ding". Perhaps a photo or two of the roof damage might help them see why the poor Custom Beverly has to disappear into the cabriolet.

Here are all the photos:

www.cordhaven.com/1937CustomBeverly

Josh B. Malks
810 2087A
ACD Club Life Member
ACD Newsletter editor
Past president
www.automaven.com

Check out CORD COMPLETE at www.cordcomplete.com

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  • balinwire
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21 Mar 2007 13:20 #6629 by balinwire
Replied by balinwire on topic DEAR DIARY
Hi BH,
Is the ID serial # tag intact on the firewall of the Cabriolet body? When will you begin the disassemble? It will be wonderful to see it finished as it is a huge project to undertake.

The donor car is so nice though. The front looks banged up but it seems like a fiberglass hood and fenders, scoop+ front bumper would clean that up. I saw a munch in the rear panel of the roof that seems like if it did not bend the body to much could have been reached from inside the interior with a porta-power.

If the bids are 65-95k for the Bev, what are the expected costs for the Cab? Could you save the Olds front frame and Id's and transplant the components into the Beverly once the Cabriolet is finished and still have two cars?

I like what your doing, I admire your determination, and still volunteer time to maintain the website! Duesy of a guy award nomination 4 U!

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  • Bill Hummel
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21 Mar 2007 04:33 #6627 by Bill Hummel
Replied by Bill Hummel on topic ENGINE
At this time, I have no plans to supercharge it.

Phase 1 of this "unconversion" or rebirth is to get the Cabriolet body fixed. That means new firewall and floorpan. Everything has to be straight.

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  • ilikescars
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21 Mar 2007 01:46 #6625 by ilikescars
Replied by ilikescars on topic DEAR DIARY
Hey, Bill: Will you have to retrofit the engine in order to make it supercharged?

Mark

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  • Chris Summers
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21 Mar 2007 00:20 #6623 by Chris Summers
Replied by Chris Summers on topic DEAR DIARY
It IS sad to see a car that pretty go, but like I've said before--if it has to die, it is so that other Cords can live.

Or, to paraphrase Shakespeare, "It is not that Bill loved the Custom Beverly less, but that he loved the Cabriolet more." :D

Chris Summers
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H.H. Franklin Club

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

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  • Bill Hummel
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20 Mar 2007 23:54 #6621 by Bill Hummel
Replied by Bill Hummel on topic Re: Your new Cord

balinwire wrote: Normally I would like to see a sedan with such minor damage, repaired, but being that you own the wonderful Cabriolet it will live on in a way.
To leave your open car hot-rodded would be wrong being it is so rare, maybe a handful survive, so be it.
Does your black cars seat recline further than the sedans? Or were they replacement cushions.
Alas, there is always a tummy tuck! <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->



Minor damage? Bids have been ranging from 65,000 to 95,000 to fix the Custom Beverly.

I am having the correct seats made from blueprints provided by Henry Portz.

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  • balinwire
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20 Mar 2007 23:18 #6619 by balinwire
Replied by balinwire on topic Your new Cord
Normally I would like to see a sedan with such minor damage, repaired, but being that you own the wonderful Cabriolet it will live on in a way.
To leave your open car hot-rodded would be wrong being it is so rare, maybe a handful survive, so be it.
Does your black cars seat recline further than the sedans? Or were they replacement cushions.
Alas, there is always a tummy tuck! <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

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  • Bill Hummel
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20 Mar 2007 22:36 #6618 by Bill Hummel
DEAR DIARY was created by Bill Hummel
Dear Diary,

Today I drove my new Cord for the first time! I moved it from the temporary storage into its new home near Love Field in Dallas.



The Cord isn't too pretty right now, but what a difference a Lycoming makes!

Sure, it doesn't shift right now. I have to do it by hand.



All went pretty well considering the front end is a little bunged up right now. I popped a Goodyear Radial on the passenger front side. It hit the edge of the fender as I was backing out of the temporary space. No matter, the tire and the hubcap didn't look too good anyway!



While driving it from the flat bed truck into the new storage area, I marvelled at the silent running of the engine, the smoothness of the ride. This was certainly no Olds 455 under the hood!



I am a little sad that this car will become a parts car. It is so pretty inside. It doesn't look damaged at all really..





Dear Diary, a memo to self. Go on a diet. The steering wheel kept hitting my gut as I was driving the car. Maybe the seats slide back? It's an IQ test I couldn't figure out.

Well the new Cord is tucked away, waiting for the day of the big transplant. I take solace in knowing this car will live on, helping a lot of other cars stay on the road.

It took one last ride in this grand old automobile to convince me that the engine is in fine shape and is a perfect candidate to restore my Cabriolet.

If you would like a piece of this beautiful car to live on in your automobile, then write to me and let me know what you are looking for. These parts don't need to be restored, just transplanted.

Look over the car, keep in mind that I need ALL running gear, everything in front of the firewall, including the firewall and floorpan.

www.cordhaven.com/1937CustomBeverly

Bye for now Diary.

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