Friday, July 25, 2025

S. C. Wright lathe


 
I think I found this lathe on Marketplace some time ago, it was described as having been built in 1883 and looks like a good simple solid machine. I was hoping to find more information on the company, there seems to have been different Massachusetts companies using the Wright name in the late 19th century. Vintage Machinery is always a good place to start.



Killinger and Freund

 


Late '30s Killinger and Freund: It’s hard to find images of this motorcycle online as it’s so rare. Contributions welcome! Looks like this picture was taken in maybe 1945?

Like the Megola, its engine is mounted in the front wheel (actually its described as 3 separate 2 stroke singles). This one is apparently 600cc and the styling is obviously art deco influenced. More here plus comments and a slide show.



Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Norton Manx


 I recently read a report on an auction that noted that Manx racers seem to be coming down in price, seems the guys that lusted after them are aging out. 

Modern Fruit Ship (for 1959)


Doesn't specify what sort of fruit it carried, but I guess it's not a banana boat. There seems to be a lot of space devoted to cabins.

Monday, July 21, 2025

Racing in France


In an unknown postwar sports car race in France, a Delahaye duels with a Delage. Below, a better view of a 3.0 litre OHV Delage. Both makes are virtually unknown on this side of the Atlantic...

 
W. Boddy, Continental Sports Cars,  G.T. Foulis, 1951

Unboxing your 1982 Katana 1100





Posted as we will probably never have the experience of unboxing a new Katana...
In about 1987 we stopped at the Suzuki dealer in Amarillo to see if they had a new speedo drive, mine had failed on a cross country trip. " Have to order" he said, "but why don't you just buy a new bike, I have 4 of those in crates in the back."

That counts as one of my many lost opportunities...

A few years later I passed through Amarillo again, the dealer was gone. 


 

Saturday, July 19, 2025

First US stamp to feature a motorcycle


 This stamp was issued in 1922, replacing an earlier stamp (issued in 1902) with a bicyclist making the delivery. 

 More than you ever knew or wanted to know about the creation of the stamp at https://sdproofs.wordpress.com/

One of my vises is vices, Homemade anvil vise

 

 Ebay

This one, seen on Ebay, looks like someone made it from a section of rail, but nicely done.







Chevrolet 1953, Styling, comfort and safety!


Not too much print wasted on the safety front, beyond the tempered glass...

Friday, July 18, 2025

Egli in orange

 

leDepassionne

If I win a big lottery, this is it. More here at Godet

More multitool, Bonney Tomahawk


Looks a lot like the National Hatchet multitool, No patent text on the tool but patent 607,448 could be  relevant or possibly 770,388. They all look similar. (thanks Ski!) 
But, where's the bottle opener?
 

 





Thursday, July 17, 2025

Hot custom accessories

Pick a colour, any colour, you need these fuzzy dice...
 

Massey Toronto Light Binder


 In the late 1800s, farm equipment trials were the sporting spectacles of the day. In 1889 Massey went to the event in Paris with their "Toronto Light Binder" and came home with not only a gold medal but also a Grand Object of Art Award.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Sikorsky S-38 "Osa's Ark"


 The S-38 was a well performing 10 seat flying boat introduced in 1928. It was able to cruise at 100 mph with a range of 600 miles with good landing and takeoff characteristics. It could also fly on one engine (important at that time).
  101 were produced, including this zebra-striped one used by Martin and Osa Johnson to explore Africa while making safari movies and books.  No idea why the paint job was necessary, I don't think it fooled anyone, but they also had a S-39 named Spirit of Africa in a giraffe pattern. More here at Youtube.

In the 1990s, two replicas were built, one of which is owned by Kermit Weeks, who also replicated the zebra stripe paint job.

1956 Cadillac

In this ad the woman's gown is featured more prominently than the car- and no gown credits even given... someone slipped up.

 

Monday, July 14, 2025

Goodyear airship, Pilgrim

Aircraft of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithonian, 1985

 In the mid 1920s Goodyear constructed a number of small scale airships designed to demonstrate and train pilots in lighter-than-air craft, the Pilgrim was one of these. It was made of a magnesium coated steel tube frame with a rubberized fabric balloon. The envelope had a capacity of 55,000 cubic feet of gas and was the first airship designed to utilize helium as the lifting gas. 

 The engine was a single Lawrence air-cooled three cylinder engine of 40 hp, with a 40 gallon fuel tank, giving it had a range of 525 miles. Launched in 1925, it made 4765 flights before being retired in 1931.

  Below, landing atop the M. O'Neil department store in Akron, Ohio. That must be the railway terminal on the left in the background.

Monday medal mystery

 


Here is a medal, more of pin or badge, I guess...  with the word Transeuope, a limousine or early bus and a strong male figure holding what may be scales? The only Transeurope I know is the train, was there a car company or a limousine/bus service? See below, AI doesn't know either:-) Any ideas?



Sunday, July 13, 2025

Marion Model 35

Mike Filey, Victor Russell, From Horse Power to Horsepower, Toronto 1890-1930, Dundurn Press, 1991

This Marion steam shovel cost the City of Toronto $8665 in 1911 and was described as a "self propelled, full circle" steam shovel. It was used to prepare the right of way for the Gerrard St. streetcar line.

 

Sidecar Sunday

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 Apparently just a random photo... No idea who they are.