[78-L] sophie wannabe

[Steven]

From: martha
> Here's another little detail, which just occurred to me:  How many modest 
> cars had electric starters in 1920?  Have they
shown anybody crank-starting an automobile?  I would think that collectors 
of old cars equip them with starters, because
cranking is so dangerous.  My grandfather explained to me a certain way to 
set the controls on a Model T Ford so that one
could walk up to it, give it a hard kick, and it would start - that would be 
something to see on Boardwalk Empire !
>
I'm going to hazard an uninformed guess here...!

NOT very many...if only because so many (most?) of the cars on the road in 
1920
were Model T Fords...?! These, of course. never had (AFAIK) electric 
starters.
As well, most old-car collectors (NOT "hot rodders," who also search out 
vintage
autos!) make diligent efforts to restore their cars to as-new original 
condition.

Here in Oshawa, Ont'o., there is a LOT of interest in vintage autos (as well 
as
"hot-rodding!")...I'll have to look more closely (and ask?) at next year's 
"Autofest!"

Steven C. Barr