Bought another Continental

[Barry Wolk]

In 1933 the Continental Engine Company took over the assets of the DeVaux Company and started building the Continental-DeVaux using their own engines. They are distinguished by the dual suicide doors and all steel body. I have been looking for years for a Roadster, and they don't seem to exist. An editor friend saw one posted on their web site and gave me a heads-up.

It is a 50,000 mile survivor in terrific shape. I plan on showing it in Concours just the way you see it. I am only the third owner. Although the car is about the size of a Model A the original owner was 6'9", modifying the seat for his comfort.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Continental_1933_front_threequarter.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Continental_1933_rear.jpg

The only one I've seen with a chrome grill.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Continental_1933_front.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/HoodMascot3.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/OriginalBrochure.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/OriginalLicensePlate.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/EnginePassengerSide.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/DashAndHeadliner.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Continental_1934_brochure.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Continental_1934_brochure2.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/DoorFront_Interior.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/DoorRear_Interior.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/WheelsWideWhites.jpg

[linmk2]

Great find. Looks to be an outstanding example for a rare car. Thanks for posting the pictures. An opportunity to see a car I've heard of but never seen in person.

[Mad Scientist]

Neat!! So lets see your are up to four continentals now, not bad.:)
I've always liked the interiors of the older cars, the upholstery looks more luxurious. To me modern cars have a plastic injection molded look.

[Barry Wolk]

7 if you count the boat.

[Nick DeSpirito]

Looks sweet, Barry! Lots of luck with your new aquisition. :)

[Shawn Newcomb]

Pretty cool. I thought you had fallen off the Continental connection with the red truck.:D

[norseman]

Barry

Beautiful car, you just can't beat the atmosphere you experience behind the wheel of a survivor. That original "smell" in a survivor is something else. I know in my Mark II it's almost as if I'm back in 1956 when I would take it out for a drive, with the aroma of that old leather upholstery and headliner surrounding me. About 7 or 8 years ago I sold my 1958 Cadillac Sixty Special with 18,000 original miles, a survivor I wish I still had today.

By the way Barry, when you're travelling, what's you favorite kind of breakfastf? I'm sure we could guess :).

[Shelly Harris]

Congratulations Barry, the car looks beautiful. Caring for such an antique has to be a real challenge. I wonder where you find parts when needed ?

[Barry Wolk]

Continental was a supplier of engines for boutique manufacturers as there were literally hundreds of them. They bought their bodies from Hayes which also built bodies for other boutique builders. Parts are common to many of those cars.

Continental still exists building airplane engines as Teledyne Continental.

Tune up parts are readily available and as I'll show it as a survivor, so I'll not be needing any body parts. If I really need something I'll just have it made or rebuilt.

[Huffstutler]

Correct me if I am wrong but this is a "Continental" in name only. The founder of the company worked for Chevrolet and the company was bought by Continental Motors in 1931 changing the car's make from Devaux to Continental and ended production a year later? One of the many independent companies that phased out during the depression era and had no connection with Ford or Lincoln Motors. Even the engine manufacturer made them for independents and tractors. Also it is a metal body over a wood buck.

Barry, looks like you may have the shop manual. Any shots of the frame?

[Barry Wolk]

I believe you are incorrect on a number of counts. How do you figure it was a "Continental" in name only when it was a totally different car than the DeVaux.
The DeVaux had front hinged doors with bodies of wood and steel. The Continental's models all had suicide doors and all-steel bodies. The first few Continentals were built from leftover DeVaux parts, but the rest were Continentals.

I never said that it had any affiliation with Ford or Lincoln. I posted this in General Discussion. What difference does it make if there's an affiliation or not?

Actually, the company was purchased in '33, not '31.

What does the frame have to do with anything?:rolleyes:

[Huffstutler]

My comment about it not being a Ford-Lincoln Continental was a reference to your reply that you now own "7" Continentals. That lumps up the Lincoln varieties as well and is not technically correct. For those of us who have never heard of Devaux haven't a clue about another "Continental" and could assume that it was a Lincoln product. I was just clarifying for us who didn't know.

The Devaux company was purchased by Continental Motors in the winter of 1931-1932 and dropped the Devaux name and used Continental for their various models of Ace, Flyer and Beacon. The company quit producing cars all together in mid year 1934 and continued making engines only. Devaux was unsuccessfully resurrected and a De-Vo model for export was also unsuccessful in 1936.

As for the frame request, you know I am putting together a restorer's reference website concerning automobile X frames and wondered if this one had one but doubt it yet curious.

Eric

[Barry Wolk]

That lumps up the Lincoln varieties as well and is not technically correct.

Eric

Read my first post. Your questions have been answered.

[Barry Wolk]

Look left-center. It says ALL STEEL BODY.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Continental_1934_brochure3.jpg

[Don Henschel]

The engine used in this model is probably very similar to the newer Continental engines used in many agriculture and industrial products I have worked on over the years. Anything from Massey Harris tractors to portable welders, forklifts, etc., etc. Typically an excellent engine with the exception of the odd model prone to blocks cracking.
Some intresting reading here,who knows how accurate it is?
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2008/12/01/hmn_feature13.html
According to this article, the attempt to manufacture a Continental automobile nearly sank the company:)

Very nice! Any Idea on production numbers Barry?

[Barry Wolk]

I believe there were 4,300 total. There are very few remaining. Most were scrapped in the metal drives of WWII as they were highly desirable scrap as they were all steel bodies.

[Huffstutler]

Barry, it is fuinny because when I said steel over wood buck, all I did was an image search and it said that under the picture unknowing that it was you who posted the photo on HAMB back in July referring to the 1931 model :o

Going by the picture you posted here from a sales brochure? it looks like in the shadowed photo showing front suspension that the car's frame is not of the x configuration - is that correct? Many cars started using the X frame in 1932-1933 so this one would have been a candidate but not all converted or did so right away.

Thanks.

[Barry Wolk]

I don't know. The car is not in my possession yet. It is still in Deep River, CT.

[vancec]

Beautiful car.

I love that the ads boast that you can save up to $6 per month with its great fuel economy!

[crystal59]

Hi Barry. That is a beautiful classic car. Congratulations. Any ownership history as that car would have been to some high class events and if only she could talk. Reminds me of Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. Well done and Mozoltov to quote a friend. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

It's a bit of sizing trickery as it's a very small car that has big car styling. I'd say it's probably 8/10 the scale of a true classic car of the era.

[crystal59]

Never know that from looking at it. She just presents like one of those classics where Glynette can say "Home Jeeves". Very classy. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

Should be here today.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/november82010135.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/november82010134.jpg

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http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/november82010136.jpg

[Barry Wolk]

It's home. It looks to be an unrestored car in great shape.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/IMG_1513.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/IMG_1515.jpg

[Rick Payton]

looks right at home!!

[Shelly Harris]

Super neat looking car. I wish you the best of luck with it.

[crystal59]

Well done. Gary

[norseman]

Wow...my kind of car, and you won't see a lineup of them at a Concourse. Nice find.

[SLK]

Very nice Barry.

[Sean Rollins]

Wow Barry. Nice catch.

[Barry Wolk]

This picture was taken the day the last owner bought it in 1966. It had 33,000 miles on it, 33 years old.

I'm trying to figure out of it looks better with whitewalls or not.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/1933Cin1966-1.jpg

[crystal59]

I think better with whitewalls. Dresses the car up and adds to the mystique of the era. Gary

[Shelly Harris]

I'm trying to figure out of it looks better with whitewalls or not.



yes, no doubt at all.

[Sean Rollins]

Whitewalls definitely.
That picture in black and white, with the style of buildings in the background,you could almost beleive it was of the day the origional owner brought it home for the first time.:D

[norseman]

Whitewalls definitely.
That picture in black and white, with the style of buildings in the background,you could almost beleive it was of the day the origional owner brought it home for the first time.:D

Sean

Actually, that style of buildings in the background kind of looks the same as my neighborhood does today:). My house was built in '28.

The other couple of things that caught my eye in the photo is the reflection on the door of the Continental. Is that an old Harley or are my eyes real bad?

And lastly, look closely at the woman in the passenger's seat...I wouldn't want to pi** her off! lol. (She is (was) probably a very nice lady, though). Yep, those old black and whites are so much fun to decipher, eh?

[Sean Rollins]

I found another 33 continental for sale. Not nearly as nice as yours Barry;)
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1933-CONTINENTAL-BEACON-1933-CONTINENTAL-BEACON-W0QQAdIdZ197694948

[norseman]

[QUOTE=Sean Rollins;12507]I found another 33 continental for sale. Not nearly as nice as yours Barry;)
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1933-CONTINENTAL-BEACON-1933-CONTINENTAL-BEACON-W0QQAdIdZ197694948[/Q!UOTE]

What a great parts car to have tucked away, if you ever needed anything. That car's just south, down the hiway a bit from you, Sean. I think you better get on it, wrap it up, and send it out to Barry for Christmas!:)

[Barry Wolk]

That's a Beacon, a 4-cylinder model, the least expensive in the line-up. The car I bought is a Flyer with a huge 65hp 6-cylinder motor. The top if the line was the Ace, with an 85 hp motor and 7" longer wheelbase.

In 1978 there were 18 Continentals known to exist. Don't know how many more have come out of hiding.

From all indicators there are only two Flyers left, mine and one in South Africa.

[SLK]

Good to see you aren't going for a run of the mill car that is owned by more than 5 people.

[Barry Wolk]

Is that an old Harley or are my eyes real bad?


Good eye. I asked the previous owner and he said it's a '29 Harley.

Just to clear up a bit of history. The DeVaux Company was purchased by the Continental Engine Company after it folded in 1932. Continental built the remaining chassis with bodies left over from production and used Continental engines. These cars were called DeVaux-Continentals and are even rarer than my car.

In 1933 Continental brought out the all steel cars with bodies made by Hayes.

[vancec]

So Barry, now that you've spent some quality time with her,what's the diagnosis? How much restoration has been done, and how long ago? What are your plans? Are you just going to show her as is?

[Barry Wolk]

It's a 50,000 mile original car that has had its paint touched up, but that's about it. They polished it so much that they wore through the original paint, down to the primer below. Some of the interior has been replaced. I may redo that.

It seems that the only thing it needs is to look at the rear brakes, as they tend to lock up easily.

[norseman]

It's a 50,000 mile original car that has had its paint touched up, but that's about it. They polished it so much that they wore through the original paint, down to the primer below. Some of the interior has been replaced. I may redo that.

It seems that the only thing it needs is to look at the rear brakes, as they tend to lock up easily.

That is absolutely incredible, for a 1933 car, and especially on such a rare car to boot. You've got yourself quite the conversation piece at the next Concourse, have fun with it.

[Barry Wolk]

More info:


http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Cont.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/restofContpages.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Cont4.jpg

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http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Cont2.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Cont3.jpg

[crystal59]

Although black and white photographs, looks better with whitewalls. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

Check out these prices.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Partsbook.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Partsbook21.jpg

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http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/1933%20Continental/Partsbook17.jpg

[Roger Zimmermann]

Yeas, rather cheap in our perspective. However, what did earn the people then?

[Sean Rollins]

Wouldn't it be nice to face those prices with today's dollars!:o

[Pat Marshall]

What Things Cost in 1940:
Car: $800
Gasoline: 18 cents/gal
House: $6,550
Bread: 8 cents/loaf
Milk: 34 cents/gal
Postage Stamp: 3 cents
Stock Market: 131
Average Annual Salary: $1,900
Minimum Wage: 30 cents per hour

[2MarkIIs]

Great find, awesome car. Would defintly like to see it sometime. Congrats.

[Barry Wolk]

You know how to get there. I've got it up in the air right now adding disc brakes, a dual master cylinder, MP3 player, converting to 12-volt from 6 and putting in an alternator instead of the lousy generator. No one makes radials in the 17" narrow wheel size so I'll get some 15" steelies with chrome moons, probably lower it, add some hydraulics and maybe add some neon under the car to show off the chromed diff.

Actually, I'll leave the paint as is and show it as a 50,000 mile survivor. I'll be adding turn signals and additional removable brake lights. From where I have to sit I can't reach out the front window for hand signals and I'm just not comfortable driving a dark green and black car at night with one wimpy tail light.

A friend in the restoration business stopped by yesterday to check it out. He said that it's the original paint, or, someone went to extraordinary lengths to mask the fact that it's been resprayed. His shop specializes in Packards, so this seemed so tiny to him. He was amazed at the level of detail and the fit and finish of the car.

[crystal59]

It really is one classic beauty. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

Is that Classic with a "C" or classic with a "c"?

Oops, wrong automotive web site.:o

[crystal59]

Definetly a "C". Cars like that stand alone in that category. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

Interesting that you should bring that up, Gary. According to the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA), the recognized authority on such things, they state that only cars of the highest quality (read expensive) made in limited numbers built before 1948 be considered "C"lassic. It used to be 1942, but that was changed for the post-war cars that were continuations of the pre-war cars, like the Continental. So, since this car is a $535 car when Lincoln chassis were several times more, this would be considered a "c"lassic. I consider it a find. It is truly a rare car.

However, I did have a chat with the woman that headed the CCCA on the subject of the Mark II being considered. She said, "Young man, that'll not happen in my lifetime." Funny how things work.

[crystal59]

No doubt a rare find and I do not agree with the arbitrary classification for what that is worth. Probably nothing but that is like saying the very first Ford ever built on the production line does not qualify and that car could not compare to your find. And would exclude any other rare car that doed not meet the price tag. Also the arbitrary year of 1948 needs to be revisited. Small box thinking. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

Well, like the LCOC and their rules, it is their sandbox.

[crystal59]

Maybe but their arbitary decisions have as you know considerable affect which demands better but I know that is naive and as said unlikely to happen in this lifetime. Duesenberg mentality. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

I have no problem with that mentality. If everyone got ribbons, none of them would have meaning.

[crystal59]

Except it restricts cars that should qualify and do except for price and age. Wrong absolute criteria. May be a factor to consider but that is all. And my best example is your Mark II. No question that it is truly one of the CLASSIC cars out there. A lot of people including myself would like to have/build one but to use my terminology that would be an Elvis imitator. Gary

[Barry Wolk]

Sincere flattery, none the less.

[crystal59]

Oh yeah. It is to me a given that the Mark II, 1956 Packard Clipper convertible,1957 Cadillac Brougham, 1959 Cadillac, 1957 Thunderbird, 1957 Cadillac Biaritz convertible, 1958 Mark III to name a few are all icons and meet the description of a Classic except for age. Obviously, it is time to revisit 1948 as a cut off but they will probably dig their heels in on this. Easier for some to defend the past rather than try to change for the future. Gary

[2MarkIIs]

Oh yeah. It is to me a given that the Mark II, 1956 Packard Clipper convertible,1957 Cadillac Brougham, 1959 Cadillac, 1957 Thunderbird, 1957 Cadillac Biaritz convertible, 1958 Mark III to name a few are all icons and meet the description of a Classic except for age. Obviously, it is time to revisit 1948 as a cut off but they will probably dig their heels in on this. Easier for some to defend the past rather than try to change for the future. Gary

Gary, the Packard convertible was not a clipper, it was called a caribbean. In 56 the Caribbean was offered in a convertible and coupe as well but 53-55 were a convertible only. There was a clipper as well but it was not a convertible.

Barry, i like the modifications to the continental, baby moons will defintly add a nice touch to car. Maybe 100 spoke daytons? :puke

I will get in touch with you sometime in the late weekend and try to stop by. I am finishing wet sanding and polishing the mark (trying to make it look half way decent which it actually is). The car has been taking most of my time as ive been focusing on that only and trying to hit hard and get it running well and clean it up. Poor car has been neglected........but in a good home now.

[Pat Marshall]

A few years ago I was at a car show and was parked next to a Packard Caribbean Convertible. It was a tri-color cream, coral and charcoal. The owner of the Packard and I spent the whole show slobering over each other's cars. He took first and I took second.

[Barry Wolk]

I found another 33 continental for sale. Not nearly as nice as yours Barry;)
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1933-CONTINENTAL-BEACON-1933-CONTINENTAL-BEACON-W0QQAdIdZ197694948

I contacted the guy and asked if he's sell me a hub cap. He said he's sell the only one he has, which looks beaten to crap, for $100.

[Pat Marshall]

This Ace Continental is on the Internet for $39,990

http://specialtysales.inventoryshowroom.com/vehicle-showroom

[Barry Wolk]

Nice car. A tad pricey. I paid about a third of that for mine. I know of several that have survived and are running. I believe mine is the only Flyer in this country that moves on its own.

[Hal W May]

Barry: Have you had to buy tires for your 'old' Continental, yet. Just bought a '28 Packard with 6:50-20 whitewalls, it's got old Denmans on it. Checked Coker and Lucas. The best buy is $324 per, plus tubes $25 per, plus liners $24 per. Times 6 (dual side mounts). I thought that was rediculous..Any ideas come to mind?

[Barry Wolk]

Mine are 5.50 x 17, which are made by several vendors. Got my Firestones from Coker.

[Hal W May]

Thanks-it seems the magic # is 18". After that they get pricey.