Years ago there was a group of guys that started making Model T parts. They called themselves Vintage Friends. After a short while they disbanded and one or more continued making parts. Does anyone remember their names? My son Mark just bought a truck with a low head made by Vintage Friends. However, it has an unusual front boss with an enlarged irregular hole. We would like to find out what it was made to fit. I can't imagine why anyone would pay the cost of a pattern for such an accessary. Mark will post a picture later but for now we would appreciate any information you may have.
I CAN'T BELIEVE NO ONE REMEMBERS VINTAGE FRIENDS
Never heard of them.
Glen
I reviewed quite a few issues from 1960 to 1980 in Model T Times looking for adv. or for sale ads with VINTAGE FRIENDS, and no luck. As with Jack, I have never heard of them, and messing with T's since 1964.
Hey Glen I think the key words here are "Years Ago"...I've been Model T Fording since the early 60's.....I remember the Long Beach Swapmeet at Woodruf Park ,,and seeing you at the Corona Swapmeet at the High School in the middle of town...That was before they moved it out by the Airport...What things or parts did they reproduce....Was it before you got into parts on a larger scale....Carl ,,,,formerly of Lake Arrowhead...Moved to Montrose CO.
I find no information on the internet of "Vintage Friends" being a manufacture of car parts. The only "Vintage Friends" that appear on the net are for period clothing.
Perhaps a search of past county records in the county where they did business in would yield the owners name. Old tax records?
Glen,
Like the others I do not recall the term "Vintage Friends."
You might possibly have the wrong name or they may have been such a small company or not even an actual company that they did not advertise in the magazines?
A suggested alternative search. Post photos of the head showing the unusual front boss with the enlarged irregular hole. Perhaps someone will recognize it and know who produced it. Or at least know what the extra boss and hole were likely used.
Also, please share how did you determine it was produced by "Vintage Friends?" Word of mouth (not as reliable after many years)? Name cast into head? Other?
It is always fun to track the answers. Sometimes it is easy and other times it takes a while.
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Internet shows Vintage friends in Dickerson, Texas and:
Vintage Friends Inc
6118 Bayway Dr
Baytown, Texas 77520-1708
USA
tel: +1 2814248000
Description
Ret Antique Automotive Parts & Auto Restoration
in "1983 Street Rodders Magazine"
In table of contents:
Tour: Vintage Friends and Bruce's Rod Shop (Now there's more than oilmen and cowgirls in Houston.),
Thank you the assistance. The head is marked "Vintage Friends", is aluminum and high compression. It is marked "FORD Made in U.S.A.". The outlet portion is unlike a standard I head with the outlet boss proceeding down to the base of the head. I know a picture is worth a thousand words. I will try to post a few in the next few days. I was just wondering if anyone had experience running this head. It looks to be very well made.
If it came from Dickerson, TX, Ralph Reeder might have had a hand in it.
I do not think Ralph was involved. It was short lived business and if I remember correctly the guy that started it passed away very early. For some reason I seem to think that it may have been started from Bill Raiders business after he passed. I could be very wrong about that. That was a very long time ago.
(Message edited by paulmikeska on December 03, 2014)
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/214608.html
That would be about the right time frame here in California. It is possible it could have been something Bill Raider acquired and offered for sale back in the late 60's and early 70's.
I bought a lot of stuff from Bill Raider as a young T guy. I enjoyed seeing him at the Pate Swap Meet in the early days. That was a long time ago before it moved to the speedway. There would have been no way that he and Ralph Reeder were involved together. Long story.
My long ago discussions with Bill Raider would tell me there would be very little likelihood of a Raider Reeder togetherness in anything but a boxing ring.
Mark, It would have been in the very late 70's or early to mid 80's. Bill Raider was from California and offered a lot of neat T speed equipment. I think I still have one of his distributers somewhere in the attic over my shop. I bet I could point out his swap meet space on a early Pate map.
(Message edited by paulmikeska on December 03, 2014)
I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. Looks like a nice head. It came off a running engine. Just wanted to convert it back to stock.
Some of the Dallas, Houston or Central Texas T guys may be able to shed some more light on the Vintage Friends business. It has been a long time since I lived there.
Finally, here are photos of the head. It is early style high compression, standard plug size, the front adaptor plate is an aluminum / zinc material as it has taken all the corrosion. Flange is similar to a model A four bolt. Must have been for use with or without a water pump. Last photo shows "VINTAGE FRIENDS" cast inside the outlet. Anyone familiar with this head? Appears very well made. Compression is about 7:1 or 7.5:1.
bump
Ralph Reader may have been one of the original Vintage Friends and the only one to continue on making parts but Bill Rader had nothing to do with it. However, Ralph was not making this head when he died. So someone else most likely was. Mark thinks it was made to use a Model A water pump.
Glen,
It would probable allow you to mount a Model A water pump ,but you would not have anywhere to attach the inlet connection.
Regards, John
hot rodders of the day used an early ford v8 water pump on model A heads. it has its own water outlet. in the day you could buy adapters, needed for spacing it to match the belt grove on the crank pully, and the bolt patern was 3? i think, like a B motor
I have seen the four hole the V8 three hole adaptors. Still a mystery. I'm sure the purpose of the alteration was to allow the use of a water pump, just not sure which one. Either way, the plate on the front of the head allows you to install a stock water outlet if no pump is desired.