That's a "keeper". I literally learned to read with that book! Victor Page (pronounced "Pa-Jay"),compiled many old factory service bulletins and added clearly understandable text to tie it all together. To me, it was the ultimate Ford primer, and I still have my battered copy.
A reprint of this tome by "The Club" would, in my opinion be a wonderful resource.
My copy (which was my dad's) isn't gloriously signed like yours, but is the same vintage.
Dan
Here's an example of the wonderful content inside, for those who haven't seen one.
(still wondering if anyone recognizes those names!)
Alan
Alan
I've never seen the Clymer book. Is it a re-print of Page's book, or something else entirely?
These old compendiums of wisdom do need to be preserved, scanned and made available to the next generation. Perhaps the Foundation could get involved.
Our index of old V8 Times is also a wealth of information. If someone in our organization was willing to spend the rest of their life scanning in all of that wisdom, trivia, and relevant information in searchable form, (other than simply referencing an issue that may not be available),
that would be a wonderful gift to posterity as well.
I've stored a lot of "stuff" in my septuagenarian head since reading Page's "bible" under the covers with a flashlight in the 40's. There are still thousands of EV8's on the planet that will
pass on to those who have no first hand experience. Collectively, we might consider those who will
become the inheritors of our passion.
Dan
In my humble opinion, the book was obsolete when I was a kid. I much preferred a MotoRs Manual to Page. Far better illustrations, more specific to the task, and written in language that seems more directed to a Mechanic than to a Publisher.
Alan
I agree regarding the Motor's Manuals. My point is that it is ALL good information, and it ALL needs to be preserved, as it is just as important as building a car that is "As Henry built it".
If you look at many of our Forum questions, more and more we have self-proclaimed "newbies", who are just getting-into early Fords. Often, they ask questions that us "ancient-ones" consider to be elemental. We have had the advantage of "learning to read" on these ancient tomes, or as in my case,growing up surrounded by often ailing ancient Fords. This generation has not had that benefit, and are in many cases not looking forward to hearing our geriatric recollections.
Perhaps there needs to be an "Early Ford Primer" for those who WILL replace us old farts.
Dan
Dan, I'm a newbie to old Fords and relatively young in the grand scheme of things. However I'm one who lives for the "geriatric recollections" of the old-timers I encounter. My other Ford is a '25 Model T Roadster pickup that is basically stock, and in the past couple years of owning it I've been treated to many stories from guys who bought them new. You can't write fiction better than the words that spill out of these guys' mouths. I only wish there were enough hours in one's lifetime to hear it all.
Alan
So I'm not unfamiliar with old iron but I'm now going into totally unfamiliar teritory, so I guess that makes me a newbie. At 43 years old, I'm not considered young in most circles but I know I'm pretty young on this page.
All this is to say: I'm one who loves learning from you "old farts!" Dad (now age 72) and I live about 350 miles apart now but, if I want to have a 3+ hour phone conversation with him, all I have to do is mention old cars or old tractors (we both have 8N tractors, but that's for another forum).
FYI: lately, since I became a EFV8 member, one of the big conversation topics is things that I've found of interest in V8 Times.
Chris