ian$&$margaretmilburn’s 1918$34b$roadster …...barry eash brass era tech writer voting...

Remember Your

Annual Dues

Journal of the Oakland Owners Club International, Inc.

Dedicated to the preservation, restoration, exhibitionand driving enjoyment of all Oakland automobiles

Jan. - Mar. 2012

Ian & Margaret Milburn’s1918 34B Roadster

Recast Eagles by member John Carpenter

DUES ARE DUE NOW FOR YOUR 2012 OOCI MEMBERSHIP

Send to:Charlene Roach3307 Firebird Ct

Chesapeake, VA 23323757-737-1931

[email protected]$30 for US, $35 for Canada, and $40 for all other countries.

January - March 2012 The Oaklander

OAKLAND OWNERS CLUB INTERNATIONAL, INC. OFFICERS, DIRECTORS & ADMINISTRATION

General email: [email protected] Annual Membership Fees:

USA $30.00/year Canada $35.00 International $40.00/year

While every care is taken in compiling the Oaklander, the publisher takes no responsibility for any effects arising from publication. Contributions are welcome and handled with reasonable care, but must be accompanied by return postage; however, the publishers assume no responsibility for return safety of artwork, photographs or manuscripts. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If material is sent to us for publication, you are strongly advised to make copies and enclose a S.A.S.E. Original material must be submitted and will be accepted solely on the basis that the author accepts the assessment of the publisher as to its commercial value. All advertisements in the Oaklander are published in good faith. The publishers reserve the right to refuse or alter advertisements at their discretion. The Oaklander is published by the Oakland Owners Club International, Inc. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the Oakland Owners Club International, Inc. This magazine, its contents as a whole and/or in part, are the copyright of the Oakland Owners Club International, Inc. and may not be reproduced in part or whole without written permission of the Oakland Owners Club International, Inc.

Founded August 1998 Incorporated February 2001

VOTING OFFICERS

Wayne Koffel President7632 Martins Crk-Bel. Hwy. Bangor, PA 18013 [email protected]

Ray Moot Vice President9951 St.Clair AvenueFairview Heights, IL. [email protected] 618-398-7548 Al Tompkins Secretary60 Reimer RoadBangor, PA 18013 610-599-6961

Charlene Roach Treasurer3307 Firebird CtChesapeake, VA [email protected] 757-737-1931

NON-VOTING ADMINISTRATION

Lindie Eash PublisherRobert Caves Editor ([email protected])Barry Eash Brass Era Tech Writer

VOTING DIRECTORS

Bob Roughton Brass Era & Pre-19154158 Hermitage Road Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 464-6484

Andy Wise Show Chairman17151 Webbs RoadEllendale, DE 19941 (302) 422-4855

Marty Roth Independent Board Member 4716 Young Street Metairie, LA 70006 (504) 455-1693

Norman Hutton Director EmeritusJohn Martin Director Emeritus


Technical SupportBrass Era Bob Roughton

4158 Hermitage RoadVirginia Beach, VA 23455757-464-6484

1916-1923 Andy Wise17151 Webbs Road Ellendale, DE 19941302-422-4855Ken Roach3307 Fireburn CourtChesapeake, VA 23323757-737-1931

1924-1931 Wayne Koffel7632 Martins Crk-Bel. Hwy Bangor, Pa. 18013610-498-3164

President’s Message

Questions? Comments? Write Wayne at 7632 Martins CrK-Bel. Hwy. Bangor, PA, 18013. You also may contact him by phone at (610) 498-3164 or by email at [email protected]

If I was an automobile, I would either get returned to the dealership under today’s Lemon Laws or sent right to the junkyard. I’ve got more medical problems that need to be cleared up before this spring. Therefore, the Presidents message and my tech article will be shorter than usual.

The last issue of the Oaklander was without a doubt, the finest issue we ever had. I keep singing Roberts’ praises, but quite frankly, we’d be lost without him. Apparently membership realizes the great job he’s doing after being editor for these last two issues as others have stepped up to thank Robert for the job he’s done also. My only complaint: people really like the car on the back cover and wanted to know whose and what it was ! (hint, It’s Roberts 29 sedan that was used at his daughters friends wedding. Next out will be his daughters wedding. WE BETTER SEE PICTURES)

The feature story on Lynn and Marsha Kieter’s Glidden Tour was a great success. They put the Oakland V8 out front for all to see. Has your phone stopped ringing yet , Lynn ? We need more stories like that by our members. Let us know how you got the car, what work you did to the car, or what you do to enjoy your car. And please call Andy Wise and let him know that your interested on being on the committee to help with Das Awkscht Fescht. Charlene tells me that sending out an SASE was a great idea for the second year in a row as dues have been coming in every day. And while three of our members have passed on, and three more members sold their cars, I believe we are still at plus one for the year in memberships. In fact I just sent Charlene the dues and membership information for four new members. Unfortunately they won’t show up in the roster until it is published at the end of 2012.

Here’s hoping you all got what you wanted for Christmas and that your already enjoying a healthier and happier New Year.

Wayne



The “Wayside Signs” project - OOCI preserving the Oakland heritage

In February, the OOCI board received a letter from Marge Sawruk representing the MotorCities National Heritage Area.

In the letter the board was made aware of a grant that would help pay for a road side sign in the Pontiac area recognizing the history of the Oakland. These signs have been going up all over Michigan to celebrate the rich histroy of the automobile in that state.

Here is a picture of a recently installed sign in Fort Wayne celebrating “Vehicles for a World at War”.

Wayne Koffel worked with the OOCI board and Steve Cook representing the AAOC to make sure the Oakland was represented in this effort. Both groups contributed 50% of the money required to make sure an “Oakland” sign will be installed. Please note that Wayne wrote a personal check for $187.5 to cover the OOCI contribution. It did not come out of any club funds. Should anyone wish to donate to the sign, just send the money to Charlene and she'll reimburse Wayne.

Once the sign is installed we will publish pictures in the Oaklander.


February 8, 2012

Dear Oakland lovers,

I am sure you have all heard of the MotorCities National Heritage Area organization, endeavoring to preserve automotive history.

Grant money exists for “Wayside Signs” related to the automotive heritage of Michigan. So far they have placed about 120 signs, 33 of which are in the Flint area, 8 at the former Packard Proving Grounds etc. Signs are 24x36” and are beautiful, UV proof etc..

There is an opportunity to place signs in Pontiac to recognize its automotive heritage, including Oakland, of course, but time is running out on the funding. I became aware of this through FOHRA (the non profit attempting to refurbish remaining Edsel Ford buildings in the Highland Recreation State Park in White Lake (I sit on their board of directors) Five of these signs were placed in the park in the late fall. Please check out this website to see their appearance. www.motorcities.org and click on the Our Communities Speak tab.

In addition, a friend told me of the desire to place these signs in Pontiac and there was an initial meeting about this program, which I attended toward the end of January.

Personally, I plan to sponsor a sign in memory of John and hope the topic will be the Muscle Car Era of Pontiac. I have suggested the following might also be appropriate and others have come up with more including how Pontiac was affected by the migration of the Black community, etc.

Below is just my suggestions for topics to address and some comments; I know there are others being considered.

Potential Signs1. Buggies/Carriage Makers in Pontiac, MI2. Oakland Motor Car Co.3. Other auto makers (Welch, Carter, Engler, Flanders, Friend, Monroe and any others)Might be able to include body companies on this sign as well, such as Beaudette and Fisher, but maybe this needs its own sign4. Pontiac--The early years maybe 1926-1940?5. Pontiac--The War Years or perhaps Pontiac Goes to War. This would include WWII and Korea6. Pontiac the Muscle Car Era 1964-? Last old GTO was 1974, but then you have the Firebirds etc. starting in 1967 and running until 2002; not sure if they should be included too and the new era GTO 2004-20067. GM Truck and Coach as it was called before it became GMC division8. Should there be a sign for other transportation such as the trolleys, interurban and regular rail lines?9. Perhaps there should be a sign about the fact that Pontiac sold vehicles overseas. I know that Oakland bodies were shipped in crates and there was a specific Pontiac body unique to at least Australia. It was called the Ute, kind of a pick up truck (I have a friend in Australia who owns one). He is hoping to ship it to the USA for the Pontiac Convention this summer in St. Charles, Illinois and also bring it to the Woodward Dream Cruise in August in Pontiac, MI10. You might even want to have a sign on the “PMD concept cars” over the years like the 50’s version of the Parisienne, Firebirds I, II, and III, Club de Mer, (I think these 4 were GM Research and not PMD even though some had a name that was later used by Pontiac as a model), Banshee of the late 60’s, Pursuit, Salsa etc.

I would like to ask, if together, you could sponsor one sign which would cost a total of $375. Deposit would be $200 of this amount and due by February 14th if possible, or at least the commitment to come up with the money. Sorry for the late notice, but this all just came together.

Each sign actually costs $1250, but $875 is covered by the grant. I would hope that I could find at least 37 members total between your three car clubs who would be interested, so about $10 each would cover one sign. I am not asking you to take it out of your club treasury as I know how difficult it is to grow your treasuries. However, this decision would be up to your club.

Checks could be made to MotorCities National Heritage AreaMail to Marge Sawruk, 667 Oxhill Ct., White Lake, MI 48386 ; I will give them collectively to the proper person on the committee.We cannot place sponsorship acknowledgment on the sign (their rules for uniformity) but my understanding is we could do this on the post which supports the sign. I would love to see "Sponsored by members of the Oakland Owners Club International, Oakland Pontiac Worldwide and the All American Oakland Chapter" on the Oakland sign.I will do my best to answer any and all questions you might have related to this. Call 248-698-2737 or email [email protected] for listening, I look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,　Marge Sawruk(Mrs. John M.)

The Oakland Market PlaceParts Wanted

Four (4) 1931 Hubcaps & Right Taillight - John Kugler 715-268-6544

Complete Hood for 1912 Model 40 Touring - Ed Lappin 720-635-0209

Chris Watkins is in desperate need of:

• An underslung front axle and hubs,

• Parts for 1913 Model 35 All Steel Bodied Touring car:

• The steering gear, brake pedal, and body to attach to flywheel housing.

• A pair of brackets that hold spare rim tail light and/or whatever fits on casting on back of rear fender/guard.

• Parts from rear gearbox coupling to tail shaft to pinion housing to differential and braking components.

• Westinghouse ignition/lighting unit (Model S 172036A) with built in magneto.

• Fan housing and pulleys. Springs, wheels, rims, front and rear fenders.

Will pay shipping to California to ship to Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Chris Watkins email is: [email protected]

1928 Sedan: ignition switch, fuel gauge, four(4) good hubcaps, headlamp, light switch. Reinhard Glotze, August Bebal Strasse 4,Badkdsen, Germany, 06628

1930 Oakland Hood ornament, John Corson 609-261-1314

1930 Radiator Cap, 1923 Radiator Cap, Wayne Koffel, 610-498-3164

1919 Good , rebuildable engine block Wayne Koffel 610-498-3164

Looking to buy carburetors 1916 through 1931. Condition not important. Wayne Koffel, 610-498-3164

1923 Speedometer and original carburetor, Ake Sjodin email: [email protected]

Literature Wanted1909 Oakland Literature, manuals, advertisements, etc., Bob Roughton 757-461-1200

Cars WantedAny Brass Era Oakland , Dave Stevens 231-740-6610

Any Brass Era Oakland , David MacMillan , 407-358-9697

Cars For Sale1931 Oakland V8 Sedan. Original engine and Fisher body. Low original mileage. Driveable. Has been garaged in CA for at least 40 years. Original rubber skids on running boards still has the "Oakland-8" stamp and logo. All five original hubcaps and chromed grill and bumpers. Authentic Oakland-8 flying eagle hood ornament. All of the difficult to find dash knobs are original. The interior upholstery and exterior paint are the only unoriginal components of this car. $33,500 negotiable. Kathryn Farris 661-822-7646

1927 Sport Roadster Parts Car. $2000 plus shipping

1927 Two Door Sedan, used wood and interior parts $1000 plus shipping

1927 Four Door Landau Sedan Parts Car ( needs all new wood) $1000 plus shipping

1927 Sedan rusty extra parts $500 plus shipping


The Oakland Market PlaceCars For Sale - continued

1931 Coupe with restored running gear (sandplasted primed and painted) engine runs. Body needs new wood. $5000 plus shipping. Pictures available upon request at [email protected]. Art & Florence Archie 207-723-8759

1931 Oakland Four Door Sedan. Excellent older Restoration. $35,000 or close serious offer. Clayton Hamilton 317-223-8711

1916 Touring Fully Restored. AACA Junior and Senior Award winner. Runs Good. $30,000 Norm Hutton 201-337-1996

1920 Oakland Touring. New top and recent paint job. Make offer. Florence Clemons 607-732-8638

1929 4 door Sedan Original Interior and Repainted Exterior. Looks Good and Drive it Anywhere, $15,000 Dave Blair 815-383-1813

1910 Model K 40hp. New Body and many new parts, many parts missing. Located in Illinois 309-788-6985

Parts For Sale- 1929 6 cyl engine for sale. Did run when pulled from car. Missing generator, carburetor, water pump, and fuel pump. $450.- 1929 wood spoke wheels painted black and ready to install. $300 Al Tompkins 610-599-6961

- 1918 right front and rear doors and steering wheel (apart) for Model 34-B. Also have front axle and two wire wheels that may be for a 19?? Oakland truck. One has the Oakland disc and was made by Budd. Will accept any reasonable offer plus crating and shipping or pick up. Morrell Travis 260-747-4304 or [email protected]

1930 Exterior door handles. $98 each (Australian) plus $15 ea. Shipping. Part number OAK-026. Order at Vintage and Classic Reproductions, PO Box 323, The Gap, Brisbane, Australia 4061 or email:[email protected]

- Brass Tire Pump in good condition. $85 plus shipping. Robert Peacock 928-646-6749

- One piece 12 spoke 24’ rim and 1 piece 21” rim and 3 pieces of 20” disc wheels. Vern Calaman 717-249-4697

1929 Parts for sale. Engine, axles, wheels, etc . Rollie Waddingham 506-454-5404

Services OfferedHeadlight, windshield wiper, and instrument switch repair. Glass beading and sandblasting service. I can rebuild, or repair or sell outright 1927 through 1931 Marvel carbs. I can rejet those 29 Pontiac carbs to fit the 29 Oakland. Cost of rebuilding $500.

Engine Rebuilding

1916 to 1923 $38001924 to 1927 $38501928 to 1929 $36501930 to 1931 $4500

New prices reflect additional material and labor costs. All prices are approximate, depending on condition and any additional machining, etc.. All rebuilds include new babbitt bearings when needed ,complete valve job including new valves when needed, Water pump, fuel pump, rebuilt distributor, carb repair, generator& starter repair, gaskets and timing chain. Additional charges for missing parts, replacement pistons, and block repair. Shipping and pick-up can be arranged. Transmission rebuilding $450 plus cost of any bearings. Clutch rebuilding is $350 whether cone or pressure plate. We also rebuild front and rear axles. Wayne Koffel 7523 Foul Rift Road, Bangor, Pa. 18013, 610-498-3164 , [email protected] www.oaklandsalesandservice.com

Woodworking services for Oaklands. Patterns for 1929 Business Coupes, Sedans, and Landaulets. We also have wood patterns for 1930 Sedans and some for 1931 Coupes. Wood is sold by the piece or will price out whole car. Call for pricing. Stephen Koffel, 610-498-3164 [email protected] or oaklandsalesandservice.com


9January - March 2012 The Oaklander

Roger Reynolds with two of his Oaklands

Wayne’s Ramblings

It’s a new year but let’s start by finishing up some loose ends from last year. Last issues’ tech article was a update from a previous tech article. I have had a very good response for the need to repair universal joints. Three sets have been sold already and I should have another three sets within a month. The price on a complete set ,front and rear, is three hundred dollars. You would need to send me your old front universal joint and your drive shaft with the rear universal. I will disassemble, clean , and deliver to my machinist. (he won’t work on dirty items). He then repairs all the pieces, returns them to me, and I reassemble, paint, and pre-grease and return them to you. All you have to do is re-install on your car and make sure you grease them as normal maintenance. Quite frankly I make next to nothing. His price came to two hundred and eighty six dollars so we rounded it off to three hundred. I was recently questioned about the need to replace them as these are older vehicles and it’s not like we’ll drive them another thirty thousand miles. Obviously that’s true. And maybe you can live with the vibration for the short amount of time you drive the car. I did before I realized the damage that it can cause. But when you do that, you now put your rear end pinion shaft and bearing in jeopardy . Maybe some of you have laid in under your car and shaken the universal and found that while the universal is loose , so is the end of the pinion shaft. Because your universal is worn, the driveshaft is not turning in a perfectly strait line with the pinion shaft putting pressure on the shaft and bearing. It happened to me years ago and I ended up having to replace the ring and pinion and pinion bearing and the universals and driveshaft. Suffice it to say, it cost a lot more than three hundred dollars. The parts we are making should fit as far back as 1917, although they are slightly different than later model Oaklands.

In my last article I put in a paragraph about Tim Dye and the Pontiac Oakland museum. Tim was very appreciative and called to tell me so. While Tim may not be looking for monetary donations, he is looking for people to donate parts for cars in their collection. Money is tight and he needs Oakland owners who will step forward to help with parts they need. I have already donated services and offered to temporarily lend him some of the cosmetic parts he needs. In return Tim has already sent our club two new members. Thank You Tim !

As previously stated, last issues’ article was a update from a previous article. This issues’ article is also an update. No, I’m not running out of things to talk about. However, it has been awhile and I have gotten quite a few complaints about front end shimmy going over railroad tracks , etc.. In the previous article some years ago, I detailed that one of the

continued.....


Wayne’s Ramblings

main problems was the castor/camber of the front end. I told you what to do but had no pictures or descriptions of the pieces needed to fix the problem. That has changed. Included in this issue are pictures of the shims needed and the sizes. Also included is a picture copy of a page out of the Durling Catalog of the early 1930’s. It seems that Oakland was not the only car that had this problem. If you read , for example, the 1926 to 1931 Oakland shop manual, they tell you that in extreme cases you should remove the front axle and heat bend it to return to original specs. That might be time consuming and expensive.

continued.....


Wayne’s Ramblings

You might say, “well how do you know this will work ?” My mentor, former Oakland mechanic Charlie Magdasy, said that that was what Oakland told them to do should a bad shimmy problem arise . So at the same time the shop manual was telling you to remove the front axle, Oakland was telling their service departments to use shims ! Sounds like today, doesn’t it ? Anyhow, the tapered shims go back to front between the axle and the spring on each side. The pictures out of the Durling Catalog show a single hole in the middle. I’ve seen shims where the hole became a slot. If you decide to make a slot, it is only necessary to loosen the front axle at the springs and tap the shim in. The slot or hole must be there to go around the centering bolt that holds the springs together. I know from talking to many of our members, that you have tried checking tire pressure, balancing the tires, replacing wheel bearings, and in some rare cases even king pins. And maybe that is the problem, however for most cars, especially ones with significant mileage, the shims are the only answer.

Many of our members have expressed doubt about this working. All I can tell you is that it does work and if you email me I’ll put you in contact with those that have tried it and been successful. This particular problem went away when strait beam front axles were discontinued. Other forms of castor and camber adjustment were then developed.

continued.....

October - December 2011 The Oaklander


continued.....


And now for my final thoughts for this issue. I am seriously considering having four two day seminars here at my home and new pole building. Oakland from 1916 to 1923, used the Northway engine. From 1924 to 1927 , they used their own designed six cylinder. For 1928 and 1929 , a bigger home grown six cylinder. Finally the 1930 and 1931 V8”s. I don’t have the time, money, or health to travel to every ones home and help them with their cars. And I’m not getting any younger but have no intention of retiring from doing this. I can write all the articles that you can read but it is so much easier to show you. If I had four seminars one on each engine style , I could put the engine together, answer your troubleshooting questions, and you could take pictures and ask questions on everything from brakes to front ends, this might help our members tremendously. I have one of each of those four engines and chassis here that need rebuilding. This would be FREE, you’d just have to show up. While initially I was not keen on doing this, I have run this by some members already and gotten a surprising amount of affirmative responses. In fact some members have agreed to assist me. I’m not going to do it on an individual basis but I would think that five or more per design would be reason enough to do this. If your interested, there is a beautiful two hundred year old hotel, recently refurbished, not even a mile away. We now have a large club with many Oaklands using all four engine designs. Anybody with an Oakland is welcome. Let me know if there is any interest.

Wayne

P.S. I would also consider hosting the same with brass era cars should somebody be willing to help. That means you Ken, Andy, and Bob.


An Oakland family history...

Tracey’s 1925 Oakland was acquired by his Dad, Alan Mclean. Tracey also recalls that both of his aunts drove Oaklands. I guess his family really loved them back in the 20s. Tracey found this photo of Aunt Georgie’s Oakland with his parents Rae & Vera McLean sitting on the front bumper. The photo was taken in Evergreen Colorado in the 1920s Georgie was married to Jay Channel who was the Mayor of Salida Colorado at some point back then and also ran a Dodge dealership. In addition Georgie ran the cigar shop at the Strater Hotel in Durango Colorado.

Ron

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ian$&$margaretmilburn’s 1918$34b$roadster …...barry eash brass era tech writer voting...

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