Old Timers Thread - Ya remember when......

[Java Junky]

Took'a "set" some yearz back Phil. 'Spectz most'uv us whut'z belongin' on'iss thread ain't movin' like we use'ta.

[DJJSR]

We all remember the Sunbeam Tiger, V8 muscle in a small car, the combination that's been mentioned here a few times.

Ask a carguy about it and he will most likely say, "Oh yea, the Ford 289 in the Alpine. Sort of a Cobra wannabe" or something like that.

There were 2 Tiger prototypes built. One of them was nose heavy and ill-handling. The one that worked had the engine set back a bit and was built by Carroll Shelby.

It was further refined and got the nod to go into production for 1964. It used the 260 V8. Shelby had switched his Cobra from the original 260 to the 289 motor, so the 260's were available from Ford.

Contrary to popular belief, all Tigers had the 260 until the last year of production in 1967 when something a little odd happened.

I was a car crazed teenager at the time and after getting the brief opportunity to drive one of these "monsters" I wanted one, very badly. So off I go to the local dealer that sold Sunbeam, Reedman Motors in Langhorne, Pa. I didn't have much money, but I figured if I traded my old '56 Chevy and sold my little brother, I just might be able to swing it.

I found the perfect car. British racing green with a black leather interior. It was the new 1967 model, so it had the 289. Perfect. As I scrutinized the car, looking for all of the performance goodies that would allow me to run it up to at least 200 miles per hour in a nanosecond, I found something very unexpected. The Chrysler pentastar emblem. There it was, stuck on the side of the front fender, just below the Tiger script, it was small but it was there. WTF!!!!, I thought. Was this some promotional prank stuck on there by the dealership? (they also sold Chryslers). It was a bad joke. I hated Chrysler products.

After seeing me crouched down next to the fender, picking away at the little emblem, a salesman stopped by and explained to me that Chrysler Corporation had bought controlling interest in the Rootes Group, including Sunbeam, so now it was a Chrysler product.

This is the odd part. Chrysler had recently introduced their 5 year/50,000 mile warranty on all of their cars. The Tiger was a Chrysler. The Tiger had a Ford engine. Yep, the Chrysler warranty would cover the Ford engine. Strange indeed.

It apparently rubbed the boys at Chrysler the wrong way when they found out that one of their products was powered by Ford and, after an unsuccessful attempt at installing their own V8, they discontinued production of the Tiger.

Of the 7085 Tigers built in just over 3 years, only 536 of them were 289's.

I never got that little BRG roadster and it's not because it had a Ford motor. It's because it had that damn little pentastar and I knew what it meant.

[Java Junky]

The Chrysler end'uv'itt soundz vaguely familiar Don.
So you dealt with Reedmanz too eh? 'Picked up my banana ('67? XKE roadster) from them 'few yearz back.
'Great story. Thanks fer sharin' it with us kidz.
"not because it had a Ford motor." Uh-huh.
Java

[jagg]

Reedmans.......been there many times......they used to sell alot of these fancy brits.

[DJJSR]

I haven't been to Reedmans in 30 years, but at one time it was the largest dealer in the country. They sold just about any car you wanted except Ford. They had their own test track too. I recall "scarin' the bejesus" out of a young saleman when HE suggested that I take a 454 Chevelle for a test drive. Ok by me. It was one of those "get in, sit down, shut up and hang on" moments.

[kgf3076]

Saw my first '58 Sleeper Biscayne Chevy there...black 4 door, black wall tires, 348 with 2 4 bbls, 4 on the floor and a second tail pipe that ended just behind the driver side rear wheel. When I asked about it, I was told it was a PA state police undercover car...

[DJJSR]

Kg - I saw a similar car there a few years later in 1966. I was walking through the showroom and saw an all black Biscayne 2 door sedan, base model, no trim, blackwalls, black wheels and little hubcaps. Looked like an Amish car. I said to one of the salesmen, "What's that thing doing here in the showroom?" (usually full of Corvettes and top-of-the-line stuff). He popped the hood, 427 with a 4 speed.

[Dr. Jimbo]

I remember when I was a kid walking with my dad into Walgreens. Sitting there at the curb idling (rumbling) was a '68 Shelby Cobra GT500 fastback. In an haunting voice, I asked to my dad "What's that?" He gave out a gutteral growl and said "THAT is a Shelby Cobra". I could feel the testosterone eminating from that machine. I knew at that point what the definition of "muscle car" was. From that point on, just looking at that car gives me shivers down my spine.

[DJJSR]

That GT500 was a great car Doc, and still is. That's the first car I ever took up to 150 miles per hour. If I knew then what I know now, I would have never done it. Tires weren't speed rated back then!!!!

BTW.......love your signature car, can I get one in blue?

[Java Junky]

I got this from Joe.
Obviously Joe scourz the web lookin' fer good stuff.
This is good stuff.
Particularly fer you older fellerz out there . . . you know who you are.
N' if it's a repost, I really don't give a ratz pitootie.
Java

http://otr.net/

[DJJSR]

I didn't see Howard Stern on the list. Man, how things have changed over the years. I've got a small collection of antique radios and that's the kind of stuff I want to hear when I turn them on. Can't figure out how to re-capture those old radio waves that are still flying around out there somewhere.

That site's a keeper. Thanks JJ.

[Dr. Jimbo]

Doesn't "OTR" stand for "On The Rag"? I didn't know what I was getting into when I opened the link. I get it now. Whew!

[Java Junky]

I'm thinkin' that, in your case anyway Doc, it stands fer "Off-Their-Rocker".

'Glad ta give ya somethin' in return fer a change Don.
'While back my very gifted brother-in-law Richie redid Mama Java'z family radio that wuz from back in'a 20'z n' then'ee gave it to us. Great big hunk'a furniture brought back ta better'n new condition. Impressive piece'a workin' history. (Whut kin I tell ya? He muss'a not ever read the "Brother-In-Law" handbook.)
Only problem izz, any AM in our area'z so much "Yakkity-yak should'a tagged'im on'att play, so-n'-so should never've offered'im that much with his yakkity-yak".
So, I turn on the old cut-glass lamp on top of the radio, crank'er up so that the green crystal "eye" n' the tubes're aglow, keep the volume off n' set the Sony carosel fer Big Band n' kick back with "In the Mood" 'r "Take the A Train".
Life'z good n' I'm golden.
'At'll doo donkey . . 'at'll doo.
Tickled ta be able ta share it with folks who kin appreciate it guys.
Java

[philiam]

You got a Zenith?

[Java Junky]

I'd like ta think I ain't accomplished it quite yet Phil.
(Dunno. 'Gonna godda look.)

[DJJSR]

This is the only Zenith I have. It's a tabletop model 6-V-27 from 1934. They called it a "farm radio" because it runs on a 6 volt car battery. It was not uncommon for farms to have no electricity back then. It's in good shape and works fine.

[philiam]

That's in nice condition. I mentioned Zenith because they the the green tuning eye. I've got a few old phonographs and gramophones around the house. Used to collect them.

[DJJSR]

Those old crank phonographs are great, played those thick single sided 78's, right?

Hmmm.......I'm pretty sure you got a camera.......how 'bout it?

[philiam]

Originally Posted by DJJSR

Those old crank phonographs are great, played those thick single sided 78's, right?

Hmmm.......I'm pretty sure you got a camera.......how 'bout it?

The real thick Edison's were 80 rpm actually. The regular ones were 78. I have a few that play the old cylinders. I'll get some pictures up, since you're interested.

[Java Junky]

Hm-m-m-m-m. 'Could'a sworn I posted a bit on the radio n' another last night. No question. I'm losin' it.
Anyway, evidently back in'a 20'z they weren't'z big on blowin' their hornz'z they are today. I finally found the name in the 2"x2" metal plaque that surroundz the "dial". Somehow they managed to fit the name "Spartan" in there.
The other tombstone with another green "eye" is a "Sonora". They were big on gramaphones n' such. Mama Java'z grandfather worked for the company, so there'z a few solid examples kickin' 'roun' in the homes'a various family memberz.
Ol' radio groupies. Who'd'a thunk itt?
Oh, the Spartan:

[philiam]

That's a beautiful piece of furniture. Probably dates back to the 20's or early thirties. Very collectible.

[DJJSR]

Very nice!!! According to my book, I think that's a Sparton (with an 'o') single band? If so, it's probably the model AC62 made in 1927, one of the first years of tube type radios in furniture type cabinets. If it's a 2 band, it's probably a model 67 built in 1934.

I can't find Sonora. Is that a model name manufactured by another company name?

[Java Junky]

Here Richie n' me've been lookin' all over the web for info on these tube-filled behemoths n' I should'a jus' come here lookin' for it.
Like I said: who'd'a thunk it?
It's a single, so I guess we've godda'n AC62 in residence. Thanks Don.

Ta the best'a my knowledge Sonora wuz the company name. What impression I'd been given wuz that it wuz a small, relatively short-lived outfit that turned out some very fine cabinetry whut had various "latest" electrical stuff innitt.

I'll touch base with Richie (some time after dawn n' time enuf fer'im ta've had'izz coffee) n' see if I can get some flicks'a the tombstone (that's the real looker . . well 'a'course! That's the one'ee kept.).
Many thanks guys.
I may see if I kin move my recliner in here somehow.
Java

[jagg]

That's a beautiful piece of furniture. Probably dates back to the 20's or early thirties. Very collectible.

you said it phil......I'd place the cabinet in the 1920's.
I love old furniture.

[DJJSR]

Java - I found some info on Sonora. Company started out making chimes. Had manufacturing in Chicago, New York and France. Check it out..........

http://www.antiqueradio.com/Apr07_Arnold_Sonora.html

[Java Junky]

Once again: thanks Don.
I passed the info on (of course neglectin' to mention that it wuz someone else whut found it).

[jagg]

Came across one of these today in my travels........