Since I have been writing this article I have received many emails with information on vehicles and their owners. I appreciate every one and thank you for sending them. Keep them coming.

This past week I received an email from a friend in Northern Ohio. It was a post card that was sent to a Mr. Chester Bjorngard of Bottineau North Dakota about repair work for his Model T Ford. It was dated June 29th, 1928. Rather than explain it to you I will type out just how the card read.

“Dear Sir,

We’re writing this letter to you today because we want to help you get your money out of your Model T.

It’s still as good a car as it was the day the New Model A Ford was announced and there is no need to sacrifice it.

The Model T Ford is still used by more people than any other automobile. Eight million are in active service right now and many of them can be driven one, two three or even five years and sometimes even longer.

Bring your car to us and let us look it over. You’ll be surprised to see how little it costs to put it in tip top shape.

New fenders, for instance cost from $3.50 to $5.00 each, with a labor charge of $1.00 to $2.50. Tuning up the motor and replacing the commutator case, brush and points costs only $1.00, with a small charge for material.  Brake shoes can be installed and emergency brake equalized for a labor charge of only $1.25. A labor charge of $4.00 to $5.00 will cover the overhauling of the front axel, re-brushing springs, perches and straightening, aligning and adjusting the wheels.

The labor charge for overhauling the average rear axel runs from $$5.75 to $7.00. Grinding valves and cleaning carbon can be done for $3.00 to $4.00.

A set of new pistons and rings cost only $7.00. For a labor charge of $20.00 to $25.00 you can have your motor and transmission completely overhauled. Parts are extra.

Very Truly Yours,

C. R. Gleason Co.

Bottineau N. Dak. “

I got to thinking about those costs and the cost today, so I went out and talked to Raymond Withers of Withers Body Shop and Danny Joe Johnson of Johnsons Service Center, both in Russell Springs to get a ball park figure on these same repairs if done today.

Of course as both business men stated it would depend on the make of car and the type of car the work was being done on but the cost would be close to the following.

To replace a fender on a car today would run a cost of $350.00 to $400.00 for the fender plus parts such as paint and labor etc.

A brake job today, once again depending on the car could run $40.00 to $50.00 plus labor. A valve job at today’s costs would run $300.00 to $400.00. The valve job today could run $500.00 to $600.00 and to have the engine overhauled would be at least $1000.00 plus parts.

Something to think and smile about but keeping in mind that in 1928 that $1.25 was as hard to come by as the $100.00 is today. I just found that interesting and wanted to pass it on to the young people of today. Think about it, what will it cost for repairs when our Grandkids get older..

CORRECTION ON LAST WEEKS ARTICLE

Last week I spoke about the third Saturday of each month being Classic Car Night at The Meeting Place in Jamestown… The correction on that is the Cruise In,  games and Karaoke will all be at The Jamestown Family Center from 5:00 PM to ??? NOT the Meeting place. Make note of that.

If you know someone you would like to see featured in my article or your club has an upcoming event you like to let everyone know about send the information to ---  djron47@yahoo.com --- and we'll get it in here for you. If your group or club is having an event and you would like to have some of the Classic Cars there for display any of the local clubs would be glad to bring their cars out to show, (weather permitting). All information needs to be in at least two weeks before the event. Until next time, Keep Cruisin’!