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Topics - Side-Oilers

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Hey guys, I've decided to break into my Shelby treasure trove of items and sell a few, over the next few months.

I'm leading off with one of my prized rare collectibles: An authentic Security Guard Badge from A. O. Smith's Ionia, MI, assembly plant, during the Shelby years.

The badge measure approximately 3" tall by 2" wide, and appears to be made from brass. (I'm no expert in metallurgy.)

It is shaped similarly to some law enforcement shields, and features an eagle's head and wings, a wreath, and what I assume to be a seal of the State of Michigan.

The colors of the seal are very difficult to accurately capture in a photo, but they are an outer ring of dark blue, an inner circle of lighter blue, and a crest depicting one elk and one moose, with wording that appears to be "Tuebor", which the internet tells me means "I will defend."

Engraved/stamped into the raised sections are:
A. O. SMITH
SHELBY 3RD
GUARD
8

Many of you will know more than I do about A. O. Smith badges, but I'd assume it belonged to 3rd Shift Guard #8 in the Shelby area of the facility.  (Please correct me if this is wrong.)

The badge is in excellent condition, with bright brass, crisp black paint in the engraved/stamped lettering, and the like-new condition of the Michigan State Seal.

The back side of the badge is also in excellent condition, with a quality pin-back design with rotary clasp that would securely attach this to a uniform. 


The badge appears to be all-original and not retouched, but I'm not an expert in these matters.  Please study the photos.  I am happy to shoot & post more pix, upon request.

The photos show the quality of the badge, but shiny brass is very difficult to photograph without it picking up the surrounding colors, shadows and glare.  Just think of nice quality brass, and that's pretty accurate to its appearance.


What's this badge worth?  I think I paid around $350 for it, 10 or so years ago.  I was restoring my GT500KR at the time, and this seemed like something I had to have. Now it's time to let some other Shelby enthusiast have it.

But, rather than merely keeping it in a display case:

Wearing this badge is the perfect way to display your authority at SAAC 49 (or at the supermarket) and saves you the hassle of carrying a bullhorn to announce your greatness.

As a bonus: The sea of SAAC event-goers will assuredly part in front of you, as you head to the hot dog cart or Andy Gump.


How can you put a price on that?

I can't, so the same $350 as I paid for it, will take it. 

I'll even ship it for free, to the Lower 48. anywhere in the USA.   

International Shipping, Customs Fees and Insurance is on you.


PM me if you want to buy.  Post if you have questions and I'll answer those here.

Thanks,
Van

   

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The Lounge / Pebble Beach 2023 random pix
« on: August 21, 2023, 10:47:07 PM »
Here’s a few interesting snaps from Sunday…

The best, first!

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The Lounge / Laguna Seca (Weather Tech Raceway) vintage event 2023
« on: August 21, 2023, 10:10:28 PM »
I dropped by the track to watch the Trans Am race on Saturday. We were short on time, so only got a few pix and one short video of some of our favorite cars. 

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The Lounge / Who knows a great upholstery shop in SoCal?
« on: August 03, 2023, 06:25:23 PM »
I'm in need of leather upholstery repair on one of my classic cars.  I'm in the San Diego area, but will consider anywhere within about a 50 mile radius (not Tijuana... :P)

Any suggestions? Recommendations of shops you've used (and liked) are preferred. I'd be leaving my car with them for a few days to do the job.  So, somewhere safe and trustworthy is very important.

Thanks!
Van

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The Lounge / No Kopec April Fool's jokes this year?
« on: April 05, 2023, 07:20:20 PM »
I haven't been on the site much during the past couple of weeks, and haven't read back into many past posts.  But, so far I haven't seen any April Fool jokes from our fearless leader.

Did I miss them?
Did they already get removed for reasons of offending any children in the audience?
Or, did Kopec forget what month it is? 

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The Lounge / "Train Derailment in Mojave Desert: 55 Cars!"
« on: March 27, 2023, 10:24:01 PM »
I got all excited, thinking maybe it's a new shipment of Shelby cars, but...all we can hope is the crash unearthed some others from 1968. 

Kinda, sorta, similar desert area.

Check out the video.  Man, that's some brutal physics in action.

https://abc7.com/train-derailment-mojave-desert-iron-ore-cargo/13028912/

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The Lounge / SOHC T at March Meet 2023
« on: March 05, 2023, 12:09:26 AM »
A friend is at the March Meet in Bakersfield and sent me this.   

Anyone know the vehicle, or the story behind the shotgun engine in it?  Looks like it's been there a while.

Amazing that the wood deck hasn't been singed by the headers.

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Shelby American History / New NHRA article: Shelby and Wally Parks
« on: January 11, 2023, 08:12:54 PM »
My buddy Phil Burgess, who is the head of all of NHRA's print/online media, posted this brief article today regarding Shel's connection with NHRA.  Good read.

https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/carroll-shelby-s-100th-birthday-we-recognize-his-connection-nhra

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GT/CS - California Special / Helping a friend wanting to buy a GT/CS
« on: December 19, 2022, 03:54:08 PM »
I've just started helping a friend looking for a very nice GT/CS for sale.  Big block only.  428 preferred...were there really only three of those made?  (Hello, Biggie!)

Any leads, please PM me.

Thanks,
Van

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Replicas and Tribute / Help identifying this vintage aluminum FoMoCo intake
« on: December 09, 2022, 03:22:42 PM »
Helping a friend:  This '62 Thunderbird's original 390 has been retrofitted with a 'supposedly vintage" "of the era"  FoMoCo aluminum four-barrel intake and modern Holley 650 double-pumper.

I see a FoMoCo logo, but no other clues (to my eye) that tell me what year/model of Ford it came off of.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Van

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The Lounge / Gas Prices
« on: September 18, 2022, 10:03:28 PM »
Sept 18, 2022:

This Shell station in the first photo borders Beverly Hills, but is in LA.  I shot this photo today.

When we were in San Antonio, Texas, two weeks ago, I shot the other photo.

Somebody in gov't and the oil companies needs to do some splanin'.

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SOLD SOLD SOLD


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SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD!


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The Lounge / This just in: Ford giving access to heritage files...
« on: June 16, 2022, 03:31:08 PM »
A press release I just received:

Ford is making more than 5,000 curated Ford and Lincoln photographs and product brochures from the first century of the company’s history available to the public online for the first time – and will continue to grow the site as new items are added
The searchable collection – at https://fordheritagevault.com – spans Ford’s production history from the company’s founding in 1903 to its centennial in 2003
Historical assets are available to Ford enthusiasts as free downloads for personal use from the American-based auto industry’s most comprehensive online database, which will continue to be updated and expanded

DEARBORN, Mich., June 16, 2022 – Today, on its 119th anniversary, Ford Motor Company is making a century of its archival material available to the public through a new online database called the Ford Heritage Vault.

Ford created the Heritage Vault (https://fordheritagevault.com) for fans, journalists and car enthusiasts, making it easy to discover the company’s rich heritage from anywhere in the world. The searchable artifacts are downloadable for personal use, free of charge, for the first time as part of the American auto industry’s most comprehensive online database.

The Ford Heritage Vault contains more than 5,000 curated photographs and product brochures from Ford and Lincoln vehicles, spanning from the company’s founding in 1903 to its centennial in 2003. Ford will grow the Heritage Vault over time, drawing from its archives.

“We’re opening up in a way we’ve never done before,” said Ted Ryan, Ford archive and heritage brand manager. “Our archives were established 70 years ago, and for the first time, we’re opening the vault for the public to see. This is just a first step for all that will come in the future.”

The materials available in the online collection today were carefully curated over the past two years by Ford’s archives team. Many of the high-resolution images showcase the design and functionality of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Others are memorable images that bring Ford’s heritage to life for fans and car enthusiasts, while also educating newcomers to the Blue Oval.

One set of brochures serves as a time capsule for the 1970s and ’80s. The series was created to market specific vehicle design packages to younger consumers and shows beach outings, racing and skydiving, accentuated with vivid oranges, browns and yellows.

“Complementing all of the vehicle photos available in the Ford Heritage Vault, brochures like these add so much more information and impact for people who want to learn about our products, heritage and accessories,” said Ciera Casteel, processing archivist, who prepared materials for the Heritage Vault.

Opening Ford’s heritage to all
Ford Heritage Vault has been created with accessibility features that translate photos, charts and graphs and other pre-digital assets for compatibility with assistive technology now used by blind and visually impaired site visitors, such as screen readers, to interpret websites. Heritage Vault users can request remediated versions of additional brochures as needed.

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