So I hear about this guy that has a whole bunch of Model A parts, only he's on the other side of New Hampshire, about three hours away. I figure, whattheheck, I gots nothing better to do on a rainy, crummy Saturday. Plus, I still have a sizeable list of WTB parts that, maybe one day, I'll finally post in the cl***ifieds here. So first thing I see - after I change the tire that picked up a screw on the way down - is a semi-decent Model AA parked outside the gate. Missing the driver's door, needs a skin on the p***enger's. Fella said he got it for free in exchange for knocking down the barn in which it resided. Inside the gate, he's got Model A parts, alright, but they're all strewn about outside, so nothing's all that clean. And even though he says he wants to eventually get rid of all this stuff, he's in no hurry, judging from his prices. Most of his stuff is doodlebugs, though, including the Chevrolet above... the whippet (he sold another whippet shell for $500, so he's likely not letting this one go for much less)... this Rugby, which has a grille shell awfully lot like the one Pat posted a while ago. I dont know much about Rugbys, but I can look it up Monday when I get into work. this Willys-Knight, complete with sleeve-valve engine... this really narrow Ford... and another Ford with a real nice grille shell. In one of the garages on the property, he said he had about a dozen Model A radiators and grille shells, so I'll likely go back for one for my project. He also showed us his 1917 Buick, which he still drives, and the parts car to go along with it. The cab is for a '39 he's putting together. The green one might be salvageable... And a few other pickemups. The center (white) one could be resurrected, and he said he'd throw the blue one in as a parts truck. Both still had their flatties. And finally, the coup de grace, a 4WD tractor powered by a Model A 'banger. This thing is a tet**** trap, but he said he built it in '58 (or '59, he cant remember), when he set up shop there and has used it since. He even started it up for us, a process which somehow involved clamping a battery cable to the "rollcage." Yeah. He had about enough stuff to throw together half a dozen rolling Model A ch***is, though, so I bought a front axle ***embly, complete with spring and crossmember, just for a few small parts I think I'll need. May go back after the New Year. Boston-area HAMBers who want to see this guy's stuff, let me know and I'll put you in touch. dan
Thanks for sharing those pics Dan. Looks like a neat place to check out. I wouldn't wait much longer to go back. That place could be under 3 feet of snow any time now. What town was that in. I've been all over NH and haven't stumbled on that place yet.
Paul- He's in Pelham, not too far from Lowell, M***. PM or email me if you want his name and number. I wish I could go back soon, but I am now officially broke and won't have time or cash again until after the holidays, right about the time when the snow's supposed to get hip deep. Oh well, I'm in no rush. d
Yep, thats Steve Straughn's place. Ive been shopping there for decades. In fact my A frames, axles, 35 rear bones, 9" rears, Stromberg 97's, 26T coupe, flatheads, Y blocks, and lots of 35 wires came from there. Ive always thought his prices to me were very reasonable. One thing about Steve is he wont ****er, pay his price or move on. He doesnt have a working PC so isnt into Ebay yet. Whats left out back is pretty nasty and well picked over. That 39 and some other trucks are real buildable. Steve used to be a die hard resto type but he now welcomes rodders; Ive spent years training him! I stop by once a week or so when he calls me to see what he dragged home.
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