Did I own the 1926 Franklin?

[tallyho8]

The favorite car we ever owned was a 1926 Franklin that my parents got in 1935 and sold in 1957 when I was 12 years old. Imagine my surprise when a man phoned me a couple of weeks ago and asked "Did your family own a 1926 Franklin?"

He had found some old registration papers in the door panel with my father's name on them and checked the local phone book and found my name and called me because he is restoring the car and wanted to learn some history about it.

I went to his place and got a few photos of the disassembled car and I will get more as the restoration process goes along.

The last photo is a similar restoration and how he intends for it to look when he is finished except for a different color.

I bet most people don't know what the handle by the horn is for.

 

[milkman]

T
I bet most people don't know what the handle by the horn is for.

Spark?

 

[smstonypoint]

Spark?

Spark advance lever?

Steve

 

[tallyho8]

My guess would be timing or octane selector.

NO

Spark advance lever?
Steve

NO

Spark?

NO, Keep trying.

 

[milkman]

Radiator shutter? As in temp control

 

[aczlan]

Horn?

Aaron Z

 

[tallyho8]

Radiator shutter? As in temp control

No

Horn? Aaron Z

No

 

[MossRoad]

...
I bet most people don't know what the handle by the horn is for.

I would have guessed spark advance, too. I was so curious, I did some research. I won't spoil it. I will say I never would have guessed that.

Neat story about ownership, too! :thumbsup:

 

[milkman]

telescopic steering column.

 

[k0ua]

Throttle control?

James K0UA

 

[zman007007]

I was thinking throttle too or the James Bond oil slick controller. LOL zman

 

[TheGoose]

just a guess....windshield wiper?

 

[SandburRanch]

tilt steering

 

[tallyho8]

telescopic steering column.

No

just a guess....windshield wiper?

No

tilt steering

No

Throttle control? James K0UA

THE WINNER!!! The first cruise control among many other great Franklin features.

 

[tallyho8]

Check out some of the other features.

 

[tallyho8]

Still more features such as the 8 day Waltham removable clock.

 

[k0ua]

No



No



No



THE WINNER!!! The first cruise control among many other great Franklin features.

I didnt really know, just took a WAG

James K0UA

 

[JB4310]

Cool storey, So that was your familys car?

That makes the car worth even more to the owner having known history like that.

Is that wood frame member in the picture of engine?

edit; I see you list wood chassis, the whole frame is wood? any idea what type of wood?

And is is air cooled, looking at that shroud over the top of engine.

JB.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Nice story, thanks for sharing.

 

[jinman]

Dudley, the new owner sure did some detective work to find you. That's an awesome piece of automotive history and family history. I know you will want to follow every detail of the restoration. Do you know if Leno has one of those in his collection?