1922 Other Makes

Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

16269

Gasoline

I bought this about five years back. The story is that the former owner (last name escapes me -- I'd have to dig for it) drove it home from Milwaukee at the end of WWII to the family ranch in western South Dakota (Draper). It was used locally until sometime in the early fifties when it went to sleep in an outbuilding until I bought it. You can take that for what it's worth but I'm inclined to believe it as the old and crusty Montgomery Ward battery formerly under the seat had a 1953 date stamp and the tires were long time bald. Anyway, with minor things to follow, it's virtually all original and a good, time-capsule sort of snapshot of an America gone to dust. I'm selling it because I have a pressing need for the space it's in, I've already tackled the majority of it's mechanical challenges, and I think I'd like to use the money to offset the possible purchase of an older motorcycle. This is what I've done to it: I made a new sheet metal skin for the "stovepipe" muffler. I used slightly thicker gauge steel than the original. Nice fit with no leaks. I overhauled the (rear only) brakes using new (non-asbestos) linings. I also replaced some worn bushings and cleaned all rods and turnbuckles. Some final adjustment is still needed as one tends to grab before the other. As the drive shaft seemed like it had never been lubed since leaving the factory, I ended up machining some new bushings for that. The radiator (honeycomb) formerly had a small stress crack up near the top but I was able to successfully solder that two years ago and it's never leaked since. I rebuilt the water pump by cleaning it and installing new graphite packing material. I rebuilt the front leaf springs by only going so far as to disassemble, wipe the leaves with graphite paste, install new bushings and reassemble. I rebuilt the vacuum pump and it works fine -- though I'll be including a spare 6v electric pump as I'm told it's a good idea to always keep one as a spare. The fuel tank was opened up, a big dent on the bottom pounded out, sandblasted, sealed, then welded back up. Clutch play adjusted. Steering gearbox and column disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt. Engine oil pan removed, cleaned, and reassembled. There's a quite a bit more but that's the major stuff. It has new tires, tubes and sealed wheel bearings at the rear axle. New spark plugs and wires. Also a coil (old one was missing). It starts easy, is very quiet, runs cool, shifts nicely, and drives straight. Compression on all cylinders is even, doesn't smoke, and there's no water in the oil. Oil pressure reads 10psi at idle (when warm) and 20 when revved slightly. Amp gauge registers an 8 amp charge at idle. I've read through enough books and postings online to know that these readings are typical for a design of this vintage. It drives around our town fine and I've had it in our fourth of July parades on 90+ degree days without it overheating. HOWEVER, I've never had it on an open highways shakedown cruise so this needs to be born in mind lest I make it sound too good. Mechanically, here's what still needs to be done: There's an occasional misfire at idle, the carb needs adjustment and the rear axle weeps oil from the drain plug (minor) and I have yet to check the valve clearances even after all this time. There's also a faint -- at least to my ear -- rod knock but it could also be piston slap from a worn small end bushing for all I know. I think it still has the original (or early oversize) cast iron pistons in it. I've never had the head off. Cosmetically the body is good with negligible rust. There's no filler anywhere. There's a significant crease in a rear fender end (see pictures) and the others have the usual stress cracks and dings (minor). Wood work is essentially sound throughout but with a small area of dry rot under one rear seat corner causing a slight body sag on the frame there. The paint is flaking off on the body sides and the interior leather and linoleum is worse than a mummies face but still good for use as a pattern. Not shown, but included, is the top frame (one of the bows is broken but complete), side curtain pieces and all four cast aluminum running board step plates. Also some original tools, engine illustrated parts catalog, a sales flier, crank handle (though it IS electric start), and the sheet metal splash aprons which go on the bottom of the engine compartment. I removed 'em simply for easier maintenance access. Some features: The oil level is read from a glass faced gauge -- no dipstick. Crankcase is thick cast aluminum. Engine is a 6 cylinder Continental model 8R. Dunston transmission is three forward speeds and reverse. Borg and Beck single plate dry clutch. Delco ignition and lighting. Salisbury rear axle. Finally, it is really FUN to drive and you'll love the high seating. Jaws drop and people make way when a fossil like this comes down the road. You'll also bear a special responsibility of ownership as I've never come across another Paterson of similar vintage. If sold out of state, I will be keeping the plates. Email me through here for anything I may have missed. Thanks for the interest. 25 April 2010: I had this listed previously but pulled it because I thought I had a change of heart about selling it. I'm re-posting it because after thinking on it, I have a greater clarity now as to where I want to move ahead with my priorities after it's gone. I'll also add that the previous misfire at idle has been fixed (bad distributor condenser) along with what I thought was a knocking, but as the fuel in the tank is now upwards of two years old, I'll definitely flush all of that out as it runs/ starts so much better on fresh stuff.