See-Thru Flathead Straight 8

[Opie Knievel]

I ended up going to my boss' house the other day and he had a new "toy" in his garage. It's an old flathead inline 8 cylinder used for display. I think it's an Oldsmobile but I may be wrong about that. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong)
The story is that it was supposedly used at the World's Fair in 1940. Then it was donated to a local college. He bought it from the college when they were cleaning up recently. Whether there's any truth to the story, I don't know. I just thought it was cool and I thought some of you would enjoy seeing it.

 

[OldGG]

Cool, did he run it for you ?

 

[Opie Knievel]

Cool, did he run it for you ?

No. I'm not sure if the electric motor set-up to turn the engine works and I was too busy gawking to think to ask. Lol

 

[ssn696]

Wow, look at the detail in all those windows and frames! This is one of those things that just must be saved from oblivion. This is just too cool to let go for scrap! I used to borrow the engine, transmission, and axle demonstrator cut-aways from the Auto Shop program to roll over to Engineering Night at the high school. We'd get boys and girls of all ages in and excited about science and engineering. The kids just couldn't get enough of cranking away on those demos, watching all the round-n-round, up-n-down.

The shop teacher eventually pitched a demonstrator (non-cutaway) VW diesel in a frame from the early 80s. I knew a guy locally with an old Rabbit pickup, searching for a diesel to put into it. He got a running engine, transmission, and radiator, and as a commission, he gave me some Chevy Panel Truck parts for my '49.

 

[Opie Knievel]

Wow, look at the detail in all those windows and frames! This is one of those things that just must be saved from oblivion. This is just too cool to let go for scrap! I used to borrow the engine, transmission, and axle demonstrator cut-aways from the Auto Shop program to roll over to Engineering Night at the high school. We'd get boys and girls of all ages in and excited about science and engineering. The kids just couldn't get enough of cranking away on those demos, watching all the round-n-round, up-n-down.

The shop teacher eventually pitched a demonstrator (non-cutaway) VW diesel in a frame from the early 80s. I knew a guy locally with an old Rabbit pickup, searching for a diesel to put into it. He got a running engine, transmission, and radiator, and as a commission, he gave me some Chevy Panel Truck parts for my '49.

I'm glad he bought it instead of the college throwing it out. It's a really cool piece of history.

I think it's cool what you did getting those kids interested in mechanical stuff. I remember being fascinated by cars and engines when I was a kid. It seems like if the "bug" bites you when you're young it sticks with you. We need young people to keep this hobby alive.

 

[ssn696]

I'm bummed that Lego has more movie-theme kits than Technics kits for sale these days...

 

[Opie Knievel]

I'm bummed that Lego has more movie-theme kits than Technics kits for sale these days...

I LOVED the Technics kits. I have a front end loader that also makes a grapple hook truck from when I was a kid. It's one of the coolest toys I ever had. I plan on keeping it. Now I'm wanting to go dig it out and re-build it. Lol. And I'm also now thinking about trying to find some old Technic sets for sale online. Lol

 

[ssn696]

Your Lego whim may eat into your car budget...

My Mom gave away our Legos during a move to another state when I was 17 - a FOOTLOCKER full of them. It's one of the can't forget/can't forgive things I hide in the back of my psyche...and now I have three kids who could use them...

 

[Opie Knievel]

Your Lego whim may eat into your car budget...

My Mom gave away our Legos during a move to another state when I was 17 - a FOOTLOCKER full of them. It's one of the can't forget/can't forgive things I hide in the back of my psyche...and now I have three kids who could use them...

They are pretty expensive but they're so cool.

I don't blame you for having some resentment in that situation.

 

[SoFloG]

Funny looking LSX