Friday, July 4, 2025

Continental tires


 During the 1912 Belgian Grand Prix, for reasons not explained, the Continental tire depot was set up on a barge in a canal. 








Vista Domes on the California Zephyr


 Still seems like an appealing way to travel.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Model Tool kit by Mason and Parker

Nice wooden box with a lovely label. The tool set is not complete and I expect some of the tools aren't originally from the kit. The Model Tool Chest for boys was made by the Mason and Parker Mfg  Co.
H. N. Parker and Orlando Mason started the company in 1899, their first products were metal horse-drawn wagon toys, but added wooden toys in 1907. This type of Boys tool box was a popular product for the company over the years. We’ll use this post as a base to collect the tool kits as they were presented through the years. By the airplane that sits nonchalantly in the shop, this kit might have been from the twenties?
 

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Brooklands Vincent Comet


 1934 model with Brooklands racing mods including the famous muffler. This motorcycle managed an average speed of over 100 mph during a race so it got its rider the coveted Gold Star.

Cars in the 'hood, 1956 Thunderbird

That is very sweet, even has the continental kit.



 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

We used to make things in this country #371; David Maxwell & Sons

 


 Here is a hub or similar cast cover from some unknown piece of machinery or equipment but I had to go looking for more info on the company.  I've never run across any Maxwell equipment that I can remember.

 Maxwell's Limited was a foundry first established in Paris, Ontario which moved to St. Mary's, Ontario in 1888, where it became known as David Maxwell & Sons or simply Maxwell & Sons.

  In its heyday when cast iron was king, it employed over 100 people and was the largest factory in Perth County.  The two-storey building was 250 feet long, with another wing 200 feet long. The first floor was for machine work with storage in the wing and basement. Painting and finishing were done on the second floor. Three shorter wings, each 150 feet long, contained a wood shop, blacksmith shop and moulding shop. Initially, farm equipment was the main focus, but eventually it produced all sorts of horsedrawn equipment and farm tools down to wheelbarrows and butter churns.

 During World War II, production was devoted to the manufacture of hand grenades.  Following the war, it was unable to compete in the farm equipment field and ceased operation in 1964.  The factory was demolished in 1987. 

Catalogues of farm implements, washing machines, lawn mowers, butter churns, price listings, advertisement, history for the David Maxwell & Sons, St. Mary’s, Ontario.  Dates 1875-1978

Info from an ebay ad!





This is an unusual design for a horse-drawn ground-driven mower...







Studebaker Packard for 1958



   Sadly 1958 was the final year for Packard, Studebaker was struggling too. The President did not sell well, about 4700 cars, the Commander was under 12,000.