Robertson Screws

Miz B was manufactured in Canada.  Model A's manufactured in Canada in 1931 had Robertson screws.  In 1908, P. L. Robertson began to manufacture a square recess impression in the head of a screw in Milton, Ontario, Canada. At that time, it was a revolutionary change in the fastener industry. The first patent was issued in 1909 and the last patent expired 55 years later in 1964. For his invention, P.L. Robertson screws and screwdrivers carry his name to this day.  When Henry Ford tried out the Robertson screws he found they saved considerable time in car production, but when Robertson refused to license the screws to Ford, he realized that the supply of screws would not be guaranteed and stopped using them.  Robertson’s refusal to license his screws prevented their widespread adoption in the United States, where the more widely licensed Phillips head has gained acceptance. However, an alternative explanation for this preference (that has even been aired on a History Television) is that Americans simply preferred their own invention as opposed to the “foreign” Robertson screw.  Just another way my car is different.

We ordered a set of Robertson screws to replace the slotted and Phillips screws that had been put in the car over the years.  Not only did we discover the slotted and Phillips screws, but we also discovered Hex screws!  I suppose, eventually, we will have the car back to the way it was manufactured.  The Robertson screws most noticeable are the ones in the dash rail and in the instrument panel.  I have to find an unusual Hex driver to remove the screws in the exterior door handles.  They are supposed to be Robertson, as well.  

Another uniquely Canadian part we ordered was a Canadian Data Plate.  This will be riveted to the fire wall.  The original must have been removed when the car was repainted, years ago.  Presently, there is no data plate.

Little by little, she will be correct!  Until that day, I am really enjoying driving the little car.  I go everywhere in her!  It takes me a little longer to get there, sometimes, but I always enjoy the journey!

Aiken

Last Sunday was a great day to take the Model A on a trip.  So, we checked the oil, tires, and radiator to make certain all was in good shape before leaving the garage.  Yep, all was good!  Nice to have a newly rebuilt engine that isn't sucking down oil like they might stop making it!  

We were off to Aiken, SC.  In the late 19th century, Aiken gained fame as a wintering spot for wealthy people from the Northeast. The Aiken Winter Colony was establish by Thomas Hitchcock, Sr. and William C. Whitney. Over the years Aiken became a winter home for many famous and notable people including George H. Bostwick, James B. Eustis, Madeleine Astor, William Kissam Vanderbilt, Eugene Grace president of Bethlehem Steel, Allan Pinkerton, W. Averell Harriman and many others.

In the spring of 1931, all attention was riveted on Aiken when Nicholas Longworth, Republican Speaker of the House, came down unexpectedly with pneumonia and died there on April 9, 1931. He had been visiting family friends – all long-time Republicans and fellow poker players – who had a winter home in town. Longworth was married to US President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, who rushed to his side from Cincinnati, Ohio, arriving prior to his death.

Knowing South Carolina, as we do, we knew not much was going to be open for lunch on a Sunday.  So, we did our homework on the computer before leaving.  We had decided we would go to Davro's for Sunday brunch.  They had an interesting menu posted on line.

We left about 11 and meandered our way through the rural areas along US 1.  We went through the towns of Lexington, Leesville-Batesburg, Ridge Springs, Monetta and on into Aiken.  Before the interstate system came to South Carolina, US 1 was a very busy highway across the midsection of South Carolina.  Today, it sees very little traffic and is a perfect Model A road.

We arrived in the beautiful downtown area of Aiken about 1 in search for our little restaurant.  It is a quaint little place with plenty of seating on their patio.  The temperature was about 78 degrees without a cloud in the sky.  Very warm, unusually so, for early January!  The service was a bit slow, but the food made up for that.  Delicious!

Soon, we were back in the little car for our trip home.  We made our way across US 1 to Lexington, where we picked up SC 6, crossing the Lake Murray Dam.  We arrived home about 4.  Of course, as always when traveling in the Model A, John got in his after meal nap.  I'll never understand how he can sleep in a Model A - much less a completely open car!

Next weekend, we are off to Sandy Run, SC for a Model A meeting at club members, Vent and Frances Mack's home.

Tour to Greenwood, SC

Yesterday dawned very cold with frost on the grass and rooftops.  I left the house at 6:50, before the sun was up!  I drove by myself, as John had plans to take Daddy to the USC Men's Basketball game.   I needed to gas up before heading to Greenwood, 70 miles to the northwest.  It was good that I had the side curtains in place.  The temperature inside the car was a very cool 42 degrees.  Outside, it was only 27 degrees.  I guess the side curtains really do help to keep the passenger compartment warm!  I was thankful that I had my lap blankets to put across my lap, too.  I stayed pretty warm, with the exception of my finger tips.  Although I had on gloves, the small gap at the top of the curtain, beneath the canvass top, had a very cold, steady wind directed at the steering wheel and my lap.  It would be nice if I could figure out some way to install heat in Miz B.  Her steering wheel is directly beneath the exhaust manifold, the source most folks use to pump heat in during the winter, so that won't work.

The little car performed beautifully!  Not a hiccough the entire trip.  Once the sun came up, about 7:45, the temps inside the car gradually warmed up to about 48 degrees.  Much more tolerable for the fingers!  Over the hilly countryside I rolled at 45 mph.  There weren't very many cars out on the road, being it was early Saturday morning, not many folks headed for work.

I arrived at the Shoney's in Greenwood at 8:50.  Great timing.  When I pulled into the parking lot, there were 4 other Model A's already there.  Three more would join the lineup, most folks had come in their modern cars.  I guess it was too cold to crank the A's or to bear the drive over.  There were about 24 members present for the first meeting of 2013 of the Old 96 District Model A Ford Club.  We enjoyed a hearty breakfast from the buffet, then settled in for a quick, 30 minute meeting.  

I left Greenwood about 10:30, after saying my goodbyes to my upstate friends.  I enjoyed the ride home to the sounds of my iPod.  I chose to listen to folk music going home.  I sure is nice to have the little wireless speaker on the shelf behind me.  I didn't drive quite as fast coming home, keeping the little car at about 40 mph.  I certainly wasn't in any kind of hurry and I wanted to enjoy the beautiful sunny morning as I drove the rural back roads home.

I discovered that I need to make some modifications to the side curtains.  I've already gotten the regular curtain posts for the doors and will use them.  I would like to be able to swing the doors open, having the curtain swing out at the same time.  I just need to figure out how to keep the small drafts from making their way into the passenger compartment.

I now have about 700 miles on the new engine and it is performing beautifully.  John changed the oil after we had put a little over 550 miles on it, so she is ready to roll for another 2,000 miles, or so, before we change it again.

Next trip, outside of Columbia, will be to go to the Mack's place in Sandy Run on the 17th of January.  I'm looking forward to it and seeing all my friends at the Palmetto A's Club meeting and lunch.