MTFCA Forum

Rich Bingham

Funny how “updated retrofit” solutions have come and gone, the solutions having become even more obsolete than the Model Ts they were applied to. I first became aware of the bonded band lining idea in the late 60s. At that time, one supposedly “easy” application was to utilize the bands from the 195...

Rich Bingham

As first officer of the Unthinkable, Smee had an exciting career. I’m looking forward to the excerpts Sebastian contracts from his journal. Regarding Smee’s time in Chugwater, it’s amusing how he came to find romance in the basin. Off-duty, Smee was a regular at Ernie’s saloon, where he would spend ...

Rich Bingham

The above photo shows Spoonwistle’s flagship, “Unthinkable” in Chugwater Bay on the occasion of the ‘92 Regatta. The Admirable had a full cargo of Indonesian crawdads aboard to supply the awards banquet with an exotic supper, but had mis-calculated the traitor winds, and arrived three weeks too earl...

Rich Bingham

The “windows” in side curtains were not plastic, but made of “isinglass”, thin sheets of mica, transparent and reasonably flexible for the purpose, but fragile.

Rich Bingham

my gosh Scott ! You choose Greta ?!?

Rich Bingham

Just to clear things up, Herb, if you’ve ever been around goats and goat owners, you’ll note that more often than not, the goats are referred to as “those f—-ing goats”. Th e “F” referring more often than not to some other modifier than “fainting” or even “feinting”. Entirely understandable really.

Rich Bingham

“Father, I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet.”

Rich Bingham

My thoughts as well, Wayne. I have never heard there were scrap drives during WW I. If there were, it would be nice if a knowledgeable historian among us would provide some details. Regarding automobile wrecking yards, among my recollections is a pleasant conversation with a gent who ran a large one...

Rich Bingham

Thanks very much for posting that picture Dale ! More variations in shape than I’ve been aware of before. This is starting to be fun, and the kind of thing that may well defy efforts to identify any “year correct” cap styles. It would be fun to know, if possible, if outside vendors provided them, wh...

Rich Bingham

Unlikely, Herb. The closest thing in the basin was a pair of feinting goats Cuthbert owned who kept the sheepherders out of the meringue patch. If the herders approached, the goats would appear to charge them, heads down, horns at the ready. The target could never be sure which way to run. The goats...

Rich Bingham

Nice forensic theorizing Allan. I’m a fan of the thrown blade idea but you talked me out of it. Who knows ?

Rich Bingham

Back to my quest for the “authentic” 1913 cap, I see a difference between the pressed caps. Obviously a plated cap of needs dates from 1917 or later, and it would seem this discussion agrees that a rolled bottom edge indicates a cap from the latest production. My drawing is intended to point out the...

Rich Bingham

. . . there are many ways to enjoy Pie. So true, Rich. This fits right in with Kalamity Dick’s fascination with the relationship between the circumference of a circle and its diameter. He found much pleasure in peaceful contemplation of infinity in 3.14166666666666 (anon), which incidentally explai...

Rich Bingham

Dropacent wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 30, 2020 11:26 am
The absolute worse place to get history is from Wikipedia . . .

Worse than online fora ?!?

Rich Bingham

Doris Gallopavo made the best lemon meringue pie in the basin. Her lures made a clean sweep of the offending Logaritheans in spite of the fact Jules Wernerthusen had parked his Hupmobile in her driveway. Alas for Hiram Moogleshoop. When a dangling participle got caught in the drive chain, the Expres...

Rich Bingham

Estimating the load at 122 bundles, figure 30-40 pounds per bundle, that’s at least a ton and a half to two tons. Plenty to have behind a stock Model T service brake ! I hope there were no steep hills on the route.

Rich Bingham

You can saturate spring pads and oil will not likely run off. Generously oiling the pads is a good idea. Use neatsfoot oil if that’s handy, better for leather, but motor oil will do. It just won’t absorb as readily.

Rich Bingham

To google a gaggle of gobblers, the fictionary informs us the term is a “rafter” of turkeys. That same Thanksgiving Day, the folks were thankful the turkeys hadn’t roosted in the rafters. You never know what a flood will bring, besides water.

Rich Bingham

I’m almost done polishing the outside bass, one side lamp and two hubcaps to go. Now for the mag spools !

Rich Bingham

That’s one for the re-cord !

Rich Bingham

A ‘26-‘27. Odd the front wheels would have been mismatched.

Rich Bingham

Also from the red hymnal : “Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear”.

Rich Bingham

Just my own opinion, but I don’t think the “purest” of Model T purists can hold a candle to guys who put mirrors under their show cars !

Rich Bingham

What are the chances being a “brass snob” goes back much further than the latter-day affliction that infects some of today’s hobbyists ? Did owners back in the day dote on their noble steeds, polishing brass to a blinding glow, while looking down on the slovenly who let it all tarnish to dull browni...

Rich Bingham

Rich, you would have loved to have seen my Lizzie - “rode hard and put up wet” since last fall. I figured that was a little too much “patina” and got shamed into giving her a spit-bath yesterday. She cleaned up awfully shiny, I kinda miss the dirt . . .

Rich Bingham

The Institute has called in a team of paranormal experts to analyze that last photo. It would seem that KD and Moses Moses have both left their ectoplasm in the vicinity of the Stag Hotel. The continued presence of the “Bottoms Up Bar” long after the flood waters have dried up may indicate a largo i...

Rich Bingham

In all the excitement we skipped right over Burger’s post about the shrouds of mystery and intrigue that wrapped around the Stag Hotel. That very interesting photograph deserves some analysis from our panel of disingenuous ex-spurts. Ghosts are very difficult to photograph in natural light, somethin...

Rich Bingham

Elevate those guns a little lower!

Rich Bingham

That is a wonderful promotional still from the making of the miniseries, showing Ben behind the camera for the opening “takes”. Epaminondus Zumwalt and Floyd Fritter were cast in the roles of Kalamity Dick and Cuthbert Maddox less for their acting abilities (mediocre at best) than for their uncanny ...

Rich Bingham

Speak for yourself !

Rich Bingham

Looking in the mailbag, I see the Institute has been flooded without requests to divulge the history of the “sandal scandal”. Maurice in France sent a document by electronic carrier pigeon stating that the Landau copyrights and patents have finally expired with the French Suppositiere du Papieres No...

Rich Bingham

Cuthbert always seemed to sleep well at night. When asked of a morning if he had slept well, his inevitable reply, delivered after a surprised pause, “I don’t know. I didn’t wake up to find out.” Periwinkle dreams were a plus; he usually dreamt in black and white. Very few residents of the Chugwater...

Rich Bingham

Last, both are pressed brass, bottom edges look the same. I know very early caps had very high, sharp, thin fins; I don’t know if these qualify as “high fin” caps, or unequivocally “1913” correct, but I do recall the later nickeled ones had lower, more rounded “fins”, and the “dome” beneath was a di...

Rich Bingham

This one was given to me as “authentic 1913” by a friend who lost his ‘13 in a tragic fire. Small differences may be due to wear ?

Rich Bingham

Yup. Accumulated error.

I thought perhaps some pictures might help. This is the pressed cap on my ‘13, presumed to be correct by two previous owners.

Rich Bingham

“Mad Dog” Maddox was known for his malapropisms. Relating everything to ranch work, he called hollyhocks “colliehocks”, as his old dog Shep loved to nap in the bed of hollyhocks that grew behind the horse barn. Of some interest are the limited brain surgeries Alex Geranium dabbled in. For a very sho...

Rich Bingham

I had a bike with vacuum tubes in the tires too. They were very popular for a short while. Folks liked them as there were very few leaves on streets and in the gutters come fall. I was very disappointed to find they were unavailable in 30x3-1/2” when I got my first Model T. Not all reviews were posi...

Rich Bingham

I believe that’s correct, Rich. The five and dime was built from the same blueprints but was only a three-storey building lacking the upper tower area which was unnecessary for vacuum-tube centrally located accounting. It’s most likely the workers removed their sombreros at the photographer’s reques...

Rich Bingham

Sure does ! Maybe torn off when chains came loose ?
Is that a Model A following ? Parked cars seem to indicate early ‘30s for the photo.

Rich Bingham

let’s start this !! Opening bid ?? Anyone ? Anyone ?? Bueller ?

Rich Bingham

Maybe, Henry ? Actually the snow has been plowed from the curb to the center of the street on both sides, something that’s still done around here today. It sure cuts down on jay-walking !!

Rich Bingham

Not to worry Tim !! Give em time. When half worn out and not well adjusted you’ll get that authentic Model T stoppage again, plus a lot of squeaking !! 👍🏻 (you’re all welcome to ask how I know :lol: ) Re/ “perfectly authentic” 1913 blue, it’s well to remember that in the day, most bodies came painte...

Rich Bingham

There’s hope! It’s thawing on the sidewalk and you can buy a cee-gar after you get your haircut. Great picture !
Thanks for posting it Tim. Any idea where this was ?

Rich Bingham

How I miss those old movie palaces from the ‘20s. What a shame. This beauty in Horse Creek was razed in 1950 to make way for a drive-in movie “theater”. Oh well, you can’t stop Progress. Which reminds me, Cuthbert had a race horse named Progress . . .

Rich Bingham

Re/ the Indian Motorcycle: Not withstanding the marque’s popularity among native Americans, it’s a shame their smallest light model, the “Hindu” was unable to compete with Japanese imports in the early 1960’s when the craze for small cycles reached its height. Perhaps confusion over nomenclature was...

Rich Bingham

The 1944 date is reasonable. A 15 to 20 year old T that quit wasn’t worth anything. I’ll bet it was being “mined” for parts.

Rich Bingham

I vote abandoned. The block and transmission may belong to it. Looks like a manifold lying on the fender. A date on the photo would help confirm. Can’t read a date on the license plate.

Rich Bingham

Probably normal. The guy you’re about to run over don’t care how hot your motor’s running . . .

Rich Bingham

Many small reptiles are.

Rich Bingham

Interesting side look at the popular music of the period ! Burger’s post noting credit given to “C. Maddox” for the musical score opened an interesting line of enquiry. Bartholomew has uncovered documentation which details Cuthbert Maddox’s interest in music. He provided several scores for Tri-burg ...

Rich Bingham

Speaking of sleep, I had a blanket that was too short for the bed, so I cut a foot off one end and sewed that onto the opposite end. Just like daylight saving ! It’s much longer now.

Rich Bingham

Wrapping up, Oz Moses’ nephew Moses Moses (his folks figured to save on first names) was the Tri-burg specialist in two-wheel transport. His unhappy expression in the above photo was due to the third wheel on the sidecar in which KD was riding. He often said, “If you can’t get it done on two wheels,...

Rich Bingham

Probably 3/4 elliptic springs on rear. Actually, parallel springs fore and aft was a common suspension setup for a very long time.

Rich Bingham

EB0AE109-BC6C-45E6-AB23-E3DAFE1B7E9A.jpeg Interestingly, Oswald Moses was a saddle tramp who partnered with Cuthbert “Mad Dog” Maddox for a short while in the early days. He was exceptionally noted for a complete lack of emissions in spite of the fact his diet consisted exclusively of beans and bac...

Rich Bingham

Thanks for sharing the photo, Rich. Intriguing little puzzle the Model T presents, but I think I’m more taken with the view of Dupuyer, and the humor in labeling it “daddy at the saloon”, given that your grandfather Hutt was a Methodist minister. “Taken unaware” adds to the fun. I don’t suppose your...

Rich Bingham

Kalamity Dick was an enigma with a top hat. The warm celestial glow of his expression (much like Buddha’s) no doubt came from the inner calm he derived from deep thought and helping people. There is nothing in the record to verify the rumor that the recipe for Happy Sally was based on an ancient Hin...

Rich Bingham

When the Model T was introduced in the fall of 1908, Tri-burg entrepreneur Amos Aloyisius Abercrombie correctly assessed the desperate need early motorists had for roadside assistance, and outfitted a wagon filled with tires, tubes and spare parts. Pulled by a team of sturdy Percherons, he was thus ...

Rich Bingham

Maybe there’s burlap (or something) involved in the tire wrap, looks to me like there’s a lot of rope used - pretty common traction improvement. I wonder if they worried at all whether that cable rig would stand the load ? I’m sure the car was not suspended, but the cable kept them from being swept ...

Rich Bingham

Herb, the party on the left looks oddly familiar. I’ve asked Benedict and Lothar, our two newest interns, to search the Teddy Roosevelt files for corroboration. Meanwhile, I’d like to return to the previous image to supply a bit of detail: Many people do not know of Kalamity Dick’s experiments in pa...

Rich Bingham

Well said, Burger. We all should take to heart your admonition, which is precisely in the spirit of the high standards the Uvula League worked tirelessly to support. That the organization fell apart when its last president, Daphne Turkle, ran off to be a pole dancer is no reflection on the high idea...

Rich Bingham

Not a Packard

Rich Bingham

Top bows, front seat and likely other wreckage are in the wagon. The kids are fascinated !

Rich Bingham

An excellent contribution Herb ! That’s William “Fedora” Finklenberg on the left with his spatula, and Robert “Bobolink” Mudrum on the right with his shovel. The pair fired the boilers for steam toilet subscribers in the Chugwater area. It’s of interest to note that while concerns for hygiene and sa...

Rich Bingham

The Floor Dinosaur could have revolutionized janitorial service in the second decade of the last century. Its decommissioning by the Institute’s board of directors was not KD’s fault. As the building was being completed, he designed the Dinosaur with the original blueprints in hand. Architect Ephrai...

Rich Bingham

Lead in paints and gasoline, asbestos as fireproofing and in friction linings, talc (soapstone) to lubricate inner tubes and in baby powder, oil leaking from automobiles. All commonly encountered fifty years ago, and certainly in the heyday of the Model T. The current generation goes into paroxysms ...

Rich Bingham

Just “academically”, how much of an increase does that .050-.075” make in the compression ratio ?

Rich Bingham

Herb, that is not the Buick’s vacuum tank. Probably an error in Heinrich’s part as he was looking for a photo of a vacuum tank. The item shown above is a vacuum tank. This is the first model Floor Dinosaur which the Institute’s maintenance department developed from KD’s concept drawings. That slopin...

Rich Bingham

So many worthwhile things have sprung from humble beginnings. Just think ! The Institute began in a small log hut very much like this one! The casual observer would never guess our imposing four-story marble and terra-cotta building, which covers just over a half-acre, grew from such a modest initia...

Rich Bingham

Cuthbert Maddox claimed to have received many presents from flying objects that traversed the skies over his ranch through the years. Some were unidentifiable others not so much. I’m referring to the flying objects as well as the presents they left. Kalamity Dick brought the scizowhackler out to the...

Rich Bingham

The military has a long tradition of influencing the style of foot gear and apparel: Wellington boots, Raglan sleeves, Ike jackets and the like. Only in recent decades have the gloves developed by Corporal Tunnel come into disfavor. Apparently there are problems ?

Rich Bingham

That explains this clipping from the July 15, 1920 issue of the Saddlestring Post-Intelligencer: “At 9:45pm this Saturday evening last, constable Alvin Beezerbump was making his evening rounds when he was surprised to see Mr. Richard Q. Klamitboffer, well known Triburg figure, rifling through the ga...

Rich Bingham

Thanks for the kind words Burger, but I must give credit where credit is due. I’d be lost without the help of Heinrich, Sebastian and Bartholomew whose intimate knowledge of the Institute’s archives makes it possible to have access to precise references and documents. The board really should raise t...

Rich Bingham

Right you are, Burger. The Lake Street Five were all prominent figures in the Chugwater basin in those days. They interacted in their professional lives and found music a common ground where their creative energies could find relaxation. Left to right we see Harvey Fierstein, blacksmith and wheel-wr...

Rich Bingham

The wonderful device shown above was a KD development inspired by Duke Fitzellwitz’ reverse adaptation of his sousaphone. Tragically for a musician, Duke suffered a severe loss of hearing, but found that by plumbing a stethoscope into his instrument his auditory acuity was not only restored, but hei...

Rich Bingham

Herb’s photo shows Lucius P. Hovershaw at the controls of his “Water Strider”. An early Tri-burg aviation enthusiast, Lucius sought KD’s engineering advice when he set about constructing his craft. A contrarian sort of personality, Hovershaw took issue with nearly all of Dick’s advice and went his o...

Rich Bingham

The structure of cast iron is not amenable to fine threads. Fine threads present more surface area; shallower thread cut reduces stress risers.

Rich Bingham

Yes, it’s one of those quaint colloquial expressions unique to the area. Another one more commonly heard around Medicine Bow is “Root hog or die” but like “Wire Larkvonnet Chugwater” no one seems to know what it means. ?!? Sebastian was running the phrases through the Institute’s Transmogrilator (ye...

Rich Bingham

Perhaps the license plate might give a clue as to “no newer than” ? I have a feeling Larry is right, although Pierce never changed much year to year, you’d have to be a “Pierce Guy” to pin down slight changes. The tubular bumper gave way to a more conventional style in ‘29. Oddly, those hallmark hea...

Rich Bingham

Apologies if our loyal readership fears some discussions are veering too far from our main purpose, i.e., documenting the life and times of Kalamity Dick. The note on the kiwi is apropos. KD was a keen observer of wildlife, and noted to Prof. Woonsoggle on many occasions the coincidence of the annua...

Rich Bingham

The original screen play for “The Wicked Queen” called for ten dwarves, including Smiley, Stinkey and Itchey. The latter two were written out early on for obvious reasons. Smiley left the cast to run for governor. It’s unclear why Dopey wasn’t also dropped, given the less than positive aspect of his...

Rich Bingham

Now I’m really confused. I thought it was the Scarecrow who sang “If I Only Had a Brain”. (?!?)

Rich Bingham

varmint wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 31, 2020 3:35 pm
Enclosed trailer only.

Well of course. The dust will blow off hauled in the open.

Rich Bingham

(I really shouldn’t laugh - ‘taint funny !

)

Rich Bingham

Scott,

Thanks much for adding that ! True, it’s totally unnecessary and counterproductive to “redline” the motor before starting the car in motion !!

Rich Bingham

Just wool-gathering rather than drift from Steve Jelf's "Transmission Autopsy" thread. I know I'm not alone in my admiration for Steve's massive contributions to this forum and to the Model T hobby. There are few of us who have put so many miles on Model T Fords, nor delved so thoroughly into their ...

Rich Bingham

Curiously, the highest technology to come out of the short lived Tri-burg mobile phone service was the wire de-tangler KD developed. Using the reels from several reel-type lawnmowers, KD’s ingenious device was run from a PTO installed on the Chesbromobile. Phone service was discontinued daily at 10:...

Rich Bingham

Just curious. Do youse guys with adjustable lifters set them hot ? I’d guess not since gap is specified for the stock non adjustable lifters. Prolly not that critical.

Rich Bingham

Right you are Herb. A slight misunderstanding about the brass pole in Ernie’s. It was installed as a foot rail at the bar. The comment about “. . . the dancers who graced the brass pole . . .” is a bit misleading. Them gals could put away the suds or knock off double shots with the best of them.

Rich Bingham

Perry, I hope you aren’t making an unseemly insinuendo regarding Rich E.’s account of the performers who graced the stage at Ernie’s. Bartholomew delivered six volumes of ledgers from Ernie’s Saloon to him last week for re-cataloguing. The performers’ contracts were all there along with the lease ag...

Rich Bingham

Blue periods were unique to that short-lived vein of diacritical marks in Perpetuity. Since they were actually punctuation marks, the miners screened the richer ores at the stamp mill and discarded them. Local children used them for marbles.

Rich Bingham

Weather is a state of mind to a degree. January thaw now feels like a heat wave compared to two weeks ago. I’d get Lizzie out for a spin, but recent weather deposited a four foot drift up against the shop door and I’m too lazy to shovel out - so I guess I’ll just dream of summertime with the rest of...

Rich Bingham

Too late to remind everyone to have their snoggle-goggles on to protect your eyes from epsilon rays. Carl’s red eyes will return to normal within a fortnight. Applying balsam of myrrh sparingly to the eyelids may help. Don’t forget the goggles during next year’s astral event !

Rich Bingham

if only !! Usually they head for the radiator !
Rich, these are great !!

Rich Bingham

Fun remembries Rich. I well remember your carpet. Glad you’re still playing on it !!

By now most everything on our place has a lengthy back-story. Like how our ‘65 Mustang turned into a 2-bottom Massey plow.

Rich Bingham

Fun remembries Rich. I well remember your carpet. Glad you’re still playing on it !!

By now most everything on our place has a lengthy back-story. Like how our ‘65 Mustang turned into a 2-bottom Massey plow.

Rich Bingham

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:12 am
I have a 13/14 Roadster that never was sold by the dealer.

?!? That’s intriguing ! Please tell us more Dan. What does that mean ?

Rich Bingham

Only “T” folk can relate !! I wonder how many of our members have actually patched tubes roadside ? My first T, I rolled on ancient rubber for over a year and probably only got 10 to 20 miles between flats. (if that). That all went away with a set of new Riversides, and it’s a good thing too !! They...

Rich Bingham

Rich, I think you’re right. First off I was thinking “roll over” but the damage seems to fit colliding with a moving train, especially the broken rear wheel. 1911 sure fits. The little guy at rear seems really amused ; “Oh boy !! Wrecked car !! My favorite thing !!” Circus posters in the barn behind...

Rich Bingham

Likely true at speeds under 30 on dirt roads. I’ve read several accounts of fatalities owing to injuries from breaking plate glass. On the other hand, I’ve also read more than a few accounts of fatalities involving open cars. Best idea is to keep the rubber side down and the brassy side up !!

Rich Bingham

Re-reading through the back pages of this account, I see that KD was wont to rebuild and reassemble Model T transmissions in his sleep. However, this was only when the waxing Gibbous moon was at 52% or greater. Otherwise, the position of the moon gear would be out of phase. It’s well known that KD n...

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