Myth Of The Woody Wagon Part 2

OK; I left you as we pulled up to the barn. It actually turned out to be a large metal building. We could hardly keep ourselves in check. The woody was inside and we were outside making small talk with the owner.
Finally we went in. It was hard not to be jumping up and down with glee. but' we had to play it cool as nothing of price had been discussed.
The woody turned out to be a 1948 Plymouth woody Wagon. It was backed up against the wall covered in a quarter inch of dust. the poor car also had old wood windows,bed springs,& doors stacked against it. We had to move all of this just to see it. Then it was packed full of life vests and canoe paddles. An hour or so later we had all of this removed and could see the old girl in all of her glory!

Again it was kids in a candy store. It wasn't just the 48 Plymouth. There was also a 1929 model a ford pickup,a world war two jeep,1952 Chevy truck, a Wards Benelli ,Honda Dream and much more vintage iron. It was a scrounger's dream come true!

The Woody was a bit worse for wear the right rear quarter was mostly rotted off and plywood had been screwed on to hold it together. However the interior was beautiful. The roof is a work of art and the dash was perfect.

Dave ended up making a deal for the 48 Plymouth. I ended up with the motorcycles .We would come back and get them the following day.













Just thinking back on it now brings the feelings of elation back. Those of you who understand are a kindred spirit. Those that don't,I'm sorry; you probably never will. It's just one of those deals.


We go home excited about our upcoming retrieval. We make a list of items needed; jack, small air pump, chains, come along, binders ,ect..


The next day we head out the tools are loaded and the trailer hooked up. Two buddies going to bring in lost treasure. When we get there it's down to business pump up the tires hook up a chain and exhume her. Luckily the brakes had'nt locked up and she rolled free. It was a bit of a challenge as we had to come straight out to miss all the things piled along side, but still had to make a left turn out of the building. Once outside you could really take her in.

I re hooked up the trailer and positioned it in front of the Plymouth for loading.
For some reason I'm always the guy who gets to run the come along. Not to bright I guess. LOL
We were a bit worried the rough dirt road would shake the old girl apart. So we tied ropes and straps all over in attempt to hold her together.

I drove very slowly and we made it to town in one piece. On the way down I talked Dave into taking the car to the car wash and removing the years of dust and dirt. What a difference that made.We took the woody up the hill to her new home Dave's garage.

You can click on all pictures to see the large version and more detail.

Myth Of The Woody Wagon Part 1

Have you ever had some one tell you they've heard of some rare car just sitting in a barn near by? I have and this is that story.

One day I'm driving my 1952 Chevy station wagon and am parked in town. This man comes by and starts talking old cars with me. After 10 -15 minutes he tells me there is a Woody Wagon in a barn here locally. Well my interest was piqued then. Where is it? I ask. He goes on to tell me; I've never seen it. A friend had told him about it. I tell him that I would love to see the car, and if he didn't mind would he ask his friend to call me. I give him a business card at we say goodbye.

Part of me thinks this guy is fool of bull. But you never know. A month or so goes by and no call from the friend. Now I'm thinking the story was actually just that. A story.

Living in a small town and knowing pretty much every old car guy, I started asking around about the mythical woody wagon. No one knows any thing about it. A year goes by then another. In my mind the car doesn't really exist. I go about life not thinking of it anymore.

About six months later I get a call from a man (Fred) Who wants be to help him put in a very complicated foundation for a house. If you know me, foundations are not my favorite things to build. The only reason I said yes is that it was going to be a straw bale house and I wanted to get in on building one.

I'm putting in this foundation, talking all day during the process am getting to Fred better. I tells me his history with building,cabinet making, and life in general. Meanwhile I'm telling my story and include my love for old cars. "Oh your the guy that has the old station wagon out front of your house" Yep that's me.

Anyways; after three weeks and 60 yards of concrete we're done. We go our separate ways.

A couple of months later I get a message on my answering machine from Fred. He was on a job and found an old woody station wagon sitting in a building. Holy Sh#! it does exist!! I call Fred that evening to find out the story. He tells me it's way out; but not where. He wants to get it himself. Maybe get it as trade for labor.
the only problem is he's not a car guy and doesn't know how to work on them. he is asking me what I think. I ask him where it is and he won't say. The people don't want anyone to know it's there he says. I tell Fred to get the car and I will help him anyway I can.

A few weeks go by and I'm still on pins and needles. I give Fred a call. He tells me that the owner decided not to part with the car. It was her late husbands and it still had sentimental value to her. Where is it? I ask. I can't tell you; sorry, Is the reply. AAAggg so close to seeing it, yet so far. Well at least I know it truly is real.

I start asking everybody who may know something about this car. Nothing.

Life and time goes on and it fades to the back of my mind. That is until one day I walk into the local auto parts store my buddy Dave owns. He asks me if I want to go out this weekend to see this woody wagon in a barn? A costumer had come in and asked Dave if he might know anyone interested in buying it. Dave was.

The weekend FINALLY arrives and away we go. Seven miles of paved road and another 15 or 20 of dirt and we're there.

To Be continued

The Scooter That Started it all. Part Two

After my failed attempts to get the Scooter running. I went online and started searching for information on Cushman Eagle scooters. I found that there was going to be a Vintage scooter meet in Anderson California put on by Don Kuss & The California Cushman club. Anderson is only about a Three and a half to four hour drive away , so I decided to go.

I figured there would have to be people at the event who could point me in the right direction. I printed a registration form and sent it in. There was the option of camping at the event so I opted for that.

In my search it was also said the original Tilitson carburetor was not that good.
So feeling optimistic. I bought & installed a Makuni Carb, new handle bars and throttle cable.

A month went by; I loaded up the Cushman in my van hooked up my teardrop trailer and hit the road. I arrived about 6pm on a Thursday. The event had already been going since Monday. I went to check in and was greeted by the most friendly people you will ever meet. I was told to set up my trailer any place I wanted, and was asked what kind of scooter did I have. I told them of my problems and was assured I would get help.


After setting up the trailer and unloading the non running, very rough looking scooter. I wheeled it into the main building. Where a crowd of old timers gathered around. I went through my story and was told by Doug Baldanzi that the coil I had purchased was a piece of junk. He happens to sell Cushman parts and had a "good one." This was the beginning of my tab with Doug. After purchasing the coil I also bought a used head and gasket as mine was stripped. Over the next two hours. I put in the new coil, replaced the head, kicked it over and POP POP POP. I had the biggest grin in the world right then. All of the onlookers did too. Quit a moment when perfect strangers feel just as happy for you as you feel yourself!

It was now dark, but; After some adjustment to the throttle and Carb. I went for a ride around the fair grounds. You could hear the old worn out main bearings growling but I didn't care. It was alive again after 25 years of sitting neglected. I went to bed a happy man!

The next morning was a ride and I planned to be on it. Getting up early to change the 25 year old oil before hand. Doug came over and offered some of the best advise. He said that those old square edged wheel barrel tires are dangerous. You should buy new tires. From me or somebody else, I don't want to see you get hurt.
So on the tab goes a nice set of 12 inch polished aluminum wheels with zippy tires. Wow; is all I can say. A day and night difference in ride and looks.

It's time to go for the ride. having never been on a group ride on a Cushman. I figured the ride would be maybe ten miles or so. Wrong. These guys go on rides. Picture 40 or more Cushmans going down the road at once. It sounded just like a group of Harleys.
After a 20 miles or so I start wondering if my untested scooter would make it. I did Great on the flats but the hills slowed me down. I think I can, I think I can, up over the top and down the other side.

We finally stop for a rest. The group comes over congratulating me that I'm still with them. Everybody laughing. Asking how much further? They tell me another 25-30 miles at least! Hope I make it.

During the trip a couple of beautifully restored scooters quit and had to be loaded in the chase truck. Not me.

When we finally arrive back at the fair grounds. I'm stoked to have made it. All of the guys come over and start telling me how great my old scooter is and how they had bets on whether or not I would finish the ride. They were amazed I did.
I was hooked!!
I went on three more long rides with out missing a beat.

This started my quest/addiction for scooters.

After three seasons of riding I had the motor rebuilt. It now has 10hp compared to the original 8. It will now accelerate up hills with no problem.

The Scooter That Started it all.

Don't you just love the patina.




One year at the annual Dam Gathering, a Teardrop Trailer event held at lake Shasta CA. I was walking around looking at trailers and enjoying the company of other like minded people. When I came up to a camp with a scooter in the back of a ElCamino. I had no idea what it was, but; man did I think it was cool. It looked like a mini Harley but way better in my mind.

I asked the owner Jerry what is it? Whats the story? He told me it was a Cushman Eagle. He had sold it to a man from Redding who who was going to come and pick it up here at the campground. Jerry lives near Cave Junction Oregon and had brought it to save the buyer a trip. I told him I would love to have one someday.

The event was over and everyone went home after a great time.

Several months later I was up near Eureka California camping amongst the giant Redwood trees. I was walking around and came upon Jerry and his wife walking there dog. We started chatting and I asked about the Cushman. He told me the guy never showed and he had taken it home. He had sent half of the mans deposit back after several attempts to have it picked up and wiped his hand of him.

"Is it still for sale? I asked. he said it was. He ended up selling it to me and gave me the credit of the other guys deposit. Pretty cool of him!! We agreed I would come up the following weekend to get it.

It's about a 6 hour dive to Cave Junction From Willits. Friday night after work I set out for Oregon. I drove until about midnight and found a place to pull off the road to sleep in my van. ( this has since become a theme for me)

Up the next morning around dawn and on the road again.

After getting to Jerry's house. He tours me through the shop and am shown the VW trike he is building. It turns out that he has built several and is in
The Brotherhood Of The Third Wheel. He builds such nice trikes that everyone wants to buy it when he is done. But; "this ones a Keeper" he says.

We look over the Cushman. He tells me it hasn't ran in years. he's never had it running. No problem, that's right up my alley.

After a couple of hours we load up the Cushman and I head home.

I get it home and try to start it. Nothing. not even a pop. I clean the carburetor, clean and adjust the points. Nothing. When I replace the spark plug I notice that there are only two threads left in the head. Golly Gee I say. LOL What I really said rimes with rock tucker. Anyway after a couple of days of kicking it over & over & over &over. My foot was bruised on the bottom and it hurt to walk.

I went online and ordered a new internal coil points and condenser. I put them in as soon as they arrived. Kicked it over and NOTHING.

To be continued.

How Many Micro Cars Can You Haul?

I decided to change gears a bit and tell a Micro Car story. This story was a few years ago so some of the exact details might be off.

One day I was talking to my friend Alan; he told me he was going to look at some micro cars in a little town called Potter Valley about thirty five miles from Willits. Being the scrounger that I am. I asked if I could tag along when he goes? When a time and date had been set I was free to come along.

He called me a day or so later and he had a date and was planning to drive his car over to look at them. Knowing that the cars would most likely be coming home with him; I offered to drive my truck and trailer and make one trip.

The day came and we headed out. When we arrived in Potter Valley we called the man who had the cars so he could come down and meet us. We followed him up a winding dirt road to the top of the mountain.

When we got there we saw in amongst the trees several cars. A 1957-59 Cadillac two door hardtop and a four door parts car, what was left of some Cushman trucksters, motor cycles,and much more.

In this group of stuff sitting on the side of a mountain and covered with Oak leaves
were the micro cars we had come to see. A Fiat 600,Vespa 400,& a Cony van I believe a 360.

We hiked up and down the mountain through the trees and brown knee high grass checking everything out. To scroungers like us this is Heaven! There was life times worth of stuff buried under leaves and hidden by the grass.

We eventually had our fill and Alan struck a deal on the cars. The trick now was to get them loaded up. First I had to turn my truck and trailer around in just enough space to turn a car around. After a one hundred point turn it was done.

Luckily the man had a tractor and was able to pull the Cony & Fiat up the hill. This was not easy. The fiat had locked up brakes and flat tires, and all the cars stuck in the dirt from sitting so long. The Vespa 400 was up above the road so I was able to unhook the trailer back up to the bank. With a ramp made of old boards we used a come along and pulled it into the back of the truck.

After rehooking to the trailer we pushed,pulled,banged fingers & held our tongues just right to get the others loaded. Isn't life great!! Two kids in a candy store.

After a few hours on the hill we headed home with our treasures.

What a site to behold.
This picture was taken in front of my house before heading to Alan's for unload.
You can click it to see the large version.

On the way home Alan was very generous and gave me the Vespa car for all of my effort in retrieving the cars. Cool friend huh!

Hunting For The Elusive Salsbury 85

I promised I would tell more about my search for the Salsbury model 85 scooter.

Well as I said in my last post I placed adds with no success. That is until I paid the big bucks on eBay for one.
One evening after work I get an email. It's from a man who says he just saw two Salsbury scooters in Phoenix Arizona area. He had been there with a friend who was buying a Cushman and had noticed them in the corner.
Needless to say that little shot of adrenalin kicked in and my mind started to run. (just a bit wild) Would they be nice originals that have been sitting for years, will they be runners, and can I afford them etc...

I phoned the man who sent the email to get contact information on the scooters. He was a very nice man. I got the low down on the Salsbury's. "They are projects" he said. look to be complete; but not sure. After a nice conversation he gave me the gentleman's phone number in Phoenix.

I called and reached a very nice man (I'll call him john) who said; " I haven't thought about selling them, but; would consider it." I asked him how much and was told ' I have to think about it call me back tomorrow"

I called John the next evening to see what the verdict was. I was told he would sell them but I had to take everything Salsbury he had; all the spare parts, "everything". At this point I was afraid to ask how much. We talked a bit more about scooters and found out he owned over 100. All vintage American. I new I had to make the over 950 mile trip to Phoenix just to see the collection if nothing else.
He finally gave me a price on the Salsbury's. It was a bit more than I had in mind. Just with my short amount of conversation with John; It was clear that trying to haggle over the price. The door would be shut. So we made the deal and date about a month away for me to come down.

On a Friday afternoon around 3:00 pm, I hooked up my little trailer,throw a sleeping bag and pillow in the van, and take off for Arizona. My plan was to drive into the night until tired and sleep somewhere on the roadside. I'm now about 81/2 to 9 hours into the trip. I'm tired and find out the Grapevine pass on interstate five is close due to snow. I pull over look at the map and find a way around the mountain range. I decide to stop for the night and park behind a gas station and climb into the sleeping bag. Then it hits me, I'm by myself behind a gas station, in the middle of the night, with a pile of cash. I'm not usually the nervous type. I don't have this much cash with me most of the time either. I hide the cash put a 100 dollars in my wallet. Thinking this would satisfy any would be robbers.

I woke up a few hours later and headed out on the remaining 6+ hours of the drive.
When reaching Phoenix I called John and received better directions than the ones from map quest that had me circling the city. I arrived at my destination around dusk; and was glad to be out of the car!
I was told to drive around back. I was surprised to see a very large brick commercial building. After the introductions, the door was rolled up and there where the two Salsbury. A little rougher than I had pictured.
I had second thoughts about the deal for a few seconds until I really took stock of "everything."

I could see right away that lots of boxes where needed. I asked John if he had any and was told no. So we decided to go eat and buy some plastic totes.
After getting the totes packing everything in the trailer, Johns friend shows up. We teased him about his good timing and had a good laugh.

I was still wondering if I was going to see the collection? The Salsbury scooters had been in this one little garage part of the building. Nothing else could be seen. I think John must have been sizing me up. He offer to show me his collection.

He took me through a double steel door and every scooter junkies dream appeared. A 30 foot by 40-50 foot room with scooters stacked two and three high on commercial shelving. One wall with box after box of hard to find spare parts. it was almost too much to take in.
Here is one shelving unit of mostly Mustang scooters waiting for restoration.

After drooling over several of the scooters for quite a while it was time for me to leave. As we head for the door John asks me if I want to see the other room? Other Room I think? I told him thanks for the offer but no. I have a long way home and it's really late as it is. So we shook hands said our goodbyes and I left for the long drive home.
OK; You really didn't think I said no thanks did you? Of course not; a scooter junkie offered the equivalent of a pile of cocaine!! "Hell yes;" I said.
We now go into a very nice show room type setting. The scooters are all shiny and lined up along the walls and down the center. John's friend says to me, " He must like you. No one gets to come in here" Needless to say I felt very privileged to be in that room.

We spent an other hour in there. He offered to sell some of the scooters at what I felt were very reasonable prices so I bought Two centaur folding scooters and a restored Cushman Eagle. I was just able to jam these three in my minivan.
My poor van was over loaded and had a trailer full of Salsbury on it. To top it off it was very late and I couldn't sleep in the back of the van anymore.

This time we did say our goodbyes and I left for Good old Northern California. I drove through the night and " slept" in the drivers seat somewhere south of Bakersfield.

Since I was near Bakersfield. I call a man only know through phone conversations and asked if I could stop buy and see his scooters.He said sure come on by. (he had a very rare Powell I wanted to see. but; that's an other story)

I made it home Sunday night tired and ready to sleep in my own bed. The next day I took these pictures of the trailer full of Salsbury. There turned out to be some NOS parts and a hard to find original speedometer among this pile of stuff.

Salsbury Model 85

The Salsbury model 85 is at the top of my list of coolest looking scooters ever.

Made in Pamona California between 1946 and 1949. It's believed that 1000 to 1200 were built.

I mentioned my wish list earlier. Being into American scooters the Salsbury was at the top of my list. I saw pictures of this one on a web site and was blown away. My thoughts were, "If I could find one of those It would be awesome!"
So up went wanted adds online and in the local free papers again with no luck.
It was just before Christmas two years ago while on ebay I saw the very scooter I had drooling over up for sale. I called the seller to learn more about it,watched the auction and decided to bid. My bid had met the reserve but the auction still had a couple of days left. When the auction ended and my bid stayed; I couldn't
believe it. Then Oh Boy now I have to pay for it. LOL I sent the wire transfer and arranged for shipping from the Eastern US.
One week later the call came from foreward air the scooter was in South San Fransisco.
I took the day off from work and made the three hour drive to pick it up. When the fork lift set the crate on my trailer it was all I could do not to open it right then and there. The crate still had to go another three hours up hwy 101. It was raining so I took it to my friends garage to open it up. It had only been ridden twelve miles since the restoration. It has the optional speedometer and rare front brake option. Needless to say I was very pleased! MY first "Odd" scoot.
When you pay that much for something off of pictures and a conversation a mind can run a muck about it's actual condition.

After putting gas in it & checking the oil, I started it up on the pallet. I had to wait a couple of days to take it on the road. It did have a few bugs to work out with the fuel line a carburetor float. My first real outing was to the ScooterRosa rally in Santa Rosa CA. I took it along with my 1957 NSU Prima D and a 1947 Cushman. I made the ride but had problems with the mentioned carb float. It was quite a hit at the show and was picture in Urban Moto. I didn't know this until a friend gave me a copy. A pleasant suprise!



The scooter now runs & rides great. It does take a bit of getting comfortable with the way it feels. The throttle/gas pedal is on the floor like a car and the handle bars reach back to you. It's a very unique feel.

I took the scooter on a 100 mile ride. It will cruise at 60 mile an hour with a bit more in reserve. The one problem I did have was running out of gas. A ride out in the Sacremento valley with no gas stations will do that to you. LOL

More to come on my quest for Salsbury scooters.....