Under the Explanatory introduction page is mentioned
that under the heading "Year" the model and not the actual year
of manufacture us indicated: as for instance, many 1916 models are
listed, although being manufactured and sold in 1915. All of the
prices given are taken from the manufactures’ catalog. Premiums
for Property Damage (like Liability Insurance) must be based off
the column headed "Ins. H.P."
It is interesting to note that Scripps-Booth must of printed
a catalog for the $1125 Model D Runabout with door(s) like they did for
the $1250 Vitesse Runabout that had no doors. I have the 1916 Model D 3-passenger
Roadster Specification Sheet as printed in the N.A.C.C. Hand-book that
list the 110 inch wheelbase chassis with the V-8 engine and 32 x 4 inches
Houk wire wheels, but the illustration shown, appears to be the standard
Model C equipped with its regular 30 x 3 inch wheels. I also have a copy
of the 6 page $1250 Vitesse Speedster folder, but have never seen anything
else about this $1125 more conventional runabout Model D V-8. I would be
interesting to hear from anyone if they have more literature or information
on these Model D V-8 Runabouts and Vitesse Speedsters.
I also find it interesting to see how the automobile insurance
rates were based in 1916, with only the SAE mathematical hp rating used
and not the actual developed hp or body type. And the only other factor
for optional collision coverage was the price class, with all the Scripps–Booth
open cars coming under the lowest price class A, that was less than $1350.
So what this means, the owner of both a 1916 Vitesse and a 1916 Chevrolet
490 Touring, whose 4 cyl. only put out 24 hp, but had the same 22 hp SAE
rating, paid the same insurance premiums, since they were in the same low
car price Class A and had the same 22 hp rating. What an insurance break
for the young would be Vitesse driver of a speedster that was advertised
as capable of 75 to 80 mph!
CAR AND PARTS FOR SALE –1920 B-39
I ran across No. 11 of the S.B. newsletter today and eagerly
re-read it on a rainy Seattle Sunday. I’m grateful that there were several
contributors – it was the most interesting newsletter that I’ve received.
My 1920 B39 has been restored with new upholstery and a new top
installed in 1997. It took the fellow all summer off-and-on to finish it.
Since then I’ve put about 200 miles on it. In 1998, again off-and-on all
summer, a shop tried to stop the oil leak in the rear main and transmission
bearings – with absolutely no success. But with that inconvenience as a
part of the package, it runs like a champ – which it certainly is.
Mr. Rothher had all sort of parts before he began the reconstruction,
so I have quite a bit of stuff left over – a set of spoke wheels, a rear
end, transmission, engine block with most of its major components, several
distributors, etc. If anyone has a need, come see and make an offer. In
fact, for $15,000 I’d sell the whole works, car included.
Al Hillstrom
CAR FOR SALE – 1919 Six-39
I was advised last year by John and Ross Lyberger that their
1919 Touring is for sale. I saw John’s ad in OLD CARS for February 18,
1999. I have not heard if this car has been sold or not? The ad listed:
1919 Scripps- Booth Touring car, six cylinders, overhead valve engine.
Runs and drives. Very old restoration. Needs Paint. Price of car $12,000,
CA 909-683-8787.
LITERATURE FOR SALE
Hello.....I've got an original Scripps-Booth Cyclecar color cover
brochure in perfect condition, with a one page insert in the center. It
measures 8 by 11 and the cover shows a man and woman in the car in front
of a large ocean liner. The screened photos of the car with cutaways are
very well done. If it's something someone may need, the first postal money
order for 150 dollars gets it. If not satisfied, I will refund your money.
Jim Davis Email: sivad@harborside.com
1920 SCRIPPS-BOOTH SALES BROCHURE
This is an original from Henry Motor Co., Grand Forks, N.D. Six
cylinder models Series "B." Sixteen pages of pictures of the models and
information. There is also a price list on the back page. There is one
page loose in the center, and the last page has a 1" piece torn off the
bottom corner. For its age, I think it is very nice. Henry Motor Co., Grand
Forks, is stamped on the top of the cover. This is a RARE sales book! COLLECTORS,
DON'T PASS! Money order results in immediate delivery, while personal check
delays shipment 10 working days. Buyer to pay $4.05 S&H&I in Continental
U.S. Reserve on the Scripps-Booth brochure is $75.00, if you have an interest.
Larry Dobson Email ldobson@frontiernet.net
August 15, 1999 Sorry - this is too much for
me - but will list your name in the next Scripps-Booth Register newsletter.
OWNER’S NEWS AND CORRESPONDENCE
December 23,
1998
Dear Ken,
I received the issue # 11 of the register and I am very pleased
to know that you have a web page on the Internet. Since the last time we
get in touch, I found the two wheels missed, therefore my Model D has the
5 Houk wheels again.
I participated in an Old Car Tour in 1997 that covered about
300 miles in two days and the car made it good, tough I just had problems
at night, because of I could not see more than 30 meters ahead, the headlights
needed adjustments. The Tour was very funny and if you want I can send
you a video in which you can see the car traveling in the south of Chile.
[I was sent the Tour’s video – Ken]
I want to thank you for all the work that you have made in order
to get together the Scripps Booth owners and it would be a good idea to
organize a Scripps Booth world meeting one day.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!!
Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo.
Gigio Isola O. Isola-quezada@entelchile.net
I again received Christmas Holiday [1998] card with nice words of encouragement
from Elizabeth Downing of Macomb Illinois.
TWO CHANGES OF OWNERSHIP'S
I received a phone call from Ken Blair of Howe, Indiana, that
he has purchase from the estate of Dennis Easter-day, his 1921 B-39 Touring
which is still in original, unrestored condition.
Ken Blair reported this B-39 Car Number as 30306 which up to
now was unknown. So I have added his car number under the VIN number column
in the latest December 1999 Scripps-Booth Car Register that is attached
to this newsletter.
There are still a lot of question marks shown under both
the VIN and engine serial numbers columns! Please take the time this coming
spring to take a good look at you car, and report to me your serial numbers
so we can fill in all those blanks.
Jerry Cook of Bentonville, Arkansas, also phoned me this summer
that his Uncle, Edward D. Cook died May 18, 1999. Jerry inherited his Uncle’s
1916 Model C with some other old cars, and wanted me to estimate what this
Model C fair market value is?
I check the prior correspondence and photos that had been received
from Mr. Cook when he purchase this incomplete car from Tom Ruggles in
1992. It had a modified frame that had been cut down, so he purchase a
frame from George Geers that was cut in three section for ship-ping and
ended up with both a 1915 and 1916 frame. The body appears to be incorrect,
not staggered seating, with the rear half of body missing.
This would be a challenging restoration and I am not sure how
much progress was made during the past seven years? I have added Jerry’s
name to the Register, but he told me he would be willing to sell this project
car and can be reached at his company’s phone number 800-234-6323.
OWNER OF A 1919 SIX-39 FOUND
Dear Sir,
My son and I are restoring a 1919 model Scripps-Booth.
Unfortunately we can find no information concerning the measurements and
shape of the hood-bows and hood. Mr. William E. Swigart Jr. owner of Swigart
Museum, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania referred me to you as a possible source
of help.
These cars are very rare in Australia – apparently only a ‘handful’
exist. I would be very appreciated of any help that you may
be able to give and will reimburse you for any expenses involved
Yours sincerely
Ken Templer South Australia
Email: viken@senet.com.au
WELCOME TO THE REGISTER
Hi Ken,
September 15, 1999
I am now in charge of maintaining the Scripps-Booth Register
and your recent letter was forward to me. It is good to hear from a new
Scripps-Booth owner, and I will add you to our Register and to the mailing
list.
We have another member in South Australia named Michael Halstead.
Mike’s address is:
Wright Road, Ingle Farm, SA 5098. My records shows this
car to be a 1919 Six Touring with Car No. 6/39 12197, Engine No.
C42850, Chassis No. Model 34S Car No. 4133 and is Left Hand Drive and is
in good original condition. About 12 years ago Mike had new top irons made
up in Canberra NSW since his top was missing also. I am now wondering if
you are now the owner of this same car or if your car is a different one?
Is yours RHD?
Here are two photos after the new top was installed.
You might want to visit my Scripps-Booth website that has the
last 3 Register Newsletters. These are usually mailed out around the end
of the year. See:
http://home.earthlink.net/~scrippsbooth/
My email is: scrippsbooth@earthlink.net
I will be spending the school holiday in Australia the next two
weeks (arrived Sydney on Tuesday) and will be attending the 4 cyl Chevy
Tour in NSW and visiting old car friends in VIC for a few days before this
tour starts. Sorry - don’t have time to get over to SA on this
trip.
Please, let keep in touch – let me know your car numbers, when
you get a chance.
CHASSIS NO. IS MODEL 34S CAR NO. 10500
Really good to receive email from you, and that you confirmed
you have another Scripps-Booth in SA.
I had a great time last month on the Chev 4 Tour in Wellington,
NSW. I got down to Gibbsland to visit a friend who is building a 1914 Chev
Royal Mail roadster and checked out cars available at Shannon's auction
show-room in Melbourne - but didn't get time to go to SA. Will try and
get to SA next visit/vacation in 3 years.
I will add your car and name to the Register. Thanks for your
car's chassis # 10500 stamped on the oval brass plate located on the side
of the frame above the right rear axle. Your plate states: SCRIPPS-BOOTH
CORPORATION
DETROIT, MICH, USA Model 34-S CAR No. 10500. We are not sure what this
chassis number stands for? And only the 1918-19 models have this chassis
nameplate.
Please send me your Car Serial No. that is located
on a small brass plate attached to the right side engine firewall that
starts with the model #6/39. An example is Michael Halstead tourer that
is 6/39 12197. I have seen this Car No. Plate attached to under the drivers
seat on the right side, or on the right front seat frame. Please let me
know where this plate is located on your car or if it is missing? Since
you have a James Flood body perhaps it was attached to some other part
of the body? Your engine serial # should be stamped on the right hand center
of the crank-case/block. An example of a 1919 number [Halstead's] is C
42850. Your engine # should be close to C 80000.
The wire wheel option was sort of rare on the Scripps-Booth
1918-22 6 cylinder models but they are sure good looking. I have a 1918
Chevrolet Eight Model D5 Tourer that I would love to find a set of 26 inch
Houk Wire Wheels and hubs for my Model D.
TOM BOOTH REPORTS A NEW OWNER
Tom Booth, James Scripps Booth’s grandson, brought to my attention
this August 24, 1999 on-line story and photos by Richard A. Wright. Tom
wrote: There is a story in the Detroit News that shows a S-B. (There are
some factual errors in the story.) The car is owned by Maggie Allesee here
in Bloomfield Hills. I was talking to her when the photo was taken. I sent
her a copy of the S-B register and suggested she contact you for more info.
URL: http://detnews.com/joyrides/1999/carillon/carillon.htm
By Richard A. Wright, DETROIT NEWS, 8-24-99
Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield Hills took the Rector's Choice Award
for her 1919 Scripps-Booth "Chummy" roadster. With her is Tom Booth of
Bloomfield Hills, a member of the family and an executive at Delphi International.
Carillon fans were invited to bring any interesting wheels they
might have and an afternoon of music and car inspection was had. "It's
called a 'chummy' roadster be-cause of this little seat which folds out
from beneath the dashboard," she said. "A small person could sit on it,
or the right front passenger seat occupant could use it as a footstool.
It was called a 'chummy' seat."
The Scripps-Booth was built by James Scripps Booth, of the newspaper
family, which was instrumental in building Cranbrook School &
Christ Church Cranbrook.
EMAIL FROM TOM BOOTH - Nov 14, 1999
No. I did not know about the website. Thanks for letting me know.
I was just thinking it must be time for another edition of the Scripps-Booth
register.
I recently purchased a copy of a book from 1919. "Information;
Elementary Electricity; Motor Car Electric Systems; The Gas Engine from
an Ignition Point of View; Driving the Car" written by Harvey E. Phillips.
Very informative and detailed. It includes information about many electrical
systems including Delco, Auto-Lite, Wagner, etc. It includes Remy
diagrams for the S-B Model G and 1918-9 six cylinders.. I could send photocopies
to you of some sections if you think it would be helpful. The Allesee car
was formerly owned by Barney Pollard. It is yellow with green pin stripe
and is driveable. I saw this car twice this summer at different events.
I found a cousin recently. We were both bidding on S-B items
on eBay and I got curious because the other person seemed to be interested
in Scripps items. He is Mike Scripps who now lives in New Orleans (I think),
and I gave him your address in case he wanted to get the Register and more
information about S-B cars.
Every year here in the Detroit area there is a large cruise car
event on the third weekend in August. It is the Woodward Dream Cruise and
attracts more than 1,000,000 people. If you like cars and are ever in Detroit,
you should make a point of seeing the Woodward Dream Cruise. It is hard
to describe.
Best regards,
Tom Booth Email: tlbooth999@aol.com
PURCHASED 1922 MODEL F BROCHURE
I purchased this rare 1922 Scripps-Booth Model F brochure recently. It
has eight pages plus covers. It announces "The New Medium Weigh Six" equipped
with the sturdy Continental Red Seal Model 7 engine rated at 50 horsepower.
All four body styles all illustrated, but there was no mention of who supplied
the bodies? Only the claim that the open and closed bodies were exclusive
Scripps-Booth stream-line. There is also no reference to General Motors
Corporation either.
EX LEUTHAUSER MODEL D SPOTTED
No one has seen the ex Gary Leuthauser Model D 4- passenger roadster
for about the last 15 years – or a least no one has reported its current
owner to the Register. This is the Model D that was featured in Automobile
Quarterly 3rd quarter, 1975 issue on Scripps-Booth. I figured it must have
ended up in the hands of a private collector in Japan? Well, a this summer
when I was searching the web for Scripps-Booth hits, this photo was found
on the Horseless Carriage Carriers, Inc web site, promoting its enclosed
car carriers transportation services. The photo shows this fabulous Model
D being unloaded from the car carrier, perhaps at some new owner’s driveway?
Does anyone know who owns this Model D?
EARLY 1915 PARTS PRICE LIST
This pass year I ran across and purchased an early Model C Parts
List. Back in Register No. 10 when we were researching the "smooth Vs hump"
type rear fenders, it was questioned that there must have been a Parts
List printed in 1915 that covered up to about C3100?
This book is has a different format then used in later parts
books. It has 51 pages, printed on one side only, with the pages being
loose leaf, attached to the brown 5.5 x 8.5-inch cover with two brass fasteners.
The book is undated and is stamped on the cover with the dealer imprint
of the Locust Motor Sales Co, 3135 Locust St., St. Louis, MO.
The parts are index in 16 major groups, with Group 15 including
the body and fenders. Therefore the part number of the rear fenders,
15C414 right and 15C415 left, is broken down to stand for: 15 is Group
Number, C is Model, 4 is Size of Drawing, and 14 & 15 are
the 56" Tread part numbers. The only other part numbers shown are 15C410
for R. H. 40" Tread and 15C411 for L.H. 40" Tread, with this narrow
tread used for some export markets. The mystery between the "Smooth
Vs hump" fender continues.
This book does list Coupe parts but not the RHD Export
model parts or the wide 60" Southern Tread – so there must
still be a supplement to cover these parts.
The early Model C’s had a leather faced cone clutch, before the
switch was made to a multiple disc design. This book list both
types which the later 1916 Parts List does not. Unfortunately this
book is not illustrated and not all changes are documented by serial numbers.
INTERNET IS MAKING NEW CONTACTS
As I finishing this newsletter, I received the following email
from Norway - that a Model C and D survives there.
The Scripps-Booth Web Site can be access from most search engines
or:
http://home.earthlink.net/~scrippsbooth/
FOUND A MODEL C & D IN NORWAY
Hi Ken November 28, 1999
I am about to undertake the restoration of a 1916 Scripps-Booth
Model C. In attempt to ensure that the car respects the exact detailing
as original, I seek your organization for information. I have been
searching the web and found the S-B Register and No. 9, 10, and 11 of your
newsletter. In No. 10, page 5, I read an about an S-B in Europe,
where the editor refer to a letter from Norway. For your information,
I can add the following information.
There seem to have been a very successful car-importing firm
Nielsen & Bjørnstad. I have been looking at old ads from
spring 1916 where 62 cars were imported to Norway. In opposite of
ads today, ads then where mostly correct and reliable. Because of
days of delivery and shipment to Norway, car must have been produced late
in 1915 and early in 1916. In the years 1917-1918 there was
nearly no importation of cars, because there were gas restrictions. Later
in 1919, S-B during GM management, again cars are imported, but then with
another firm Paaske. According to registration journals in 1921,
there were a total of 76 SB cars, later in 1927 there were a total of 83
cars. To illustrate how successfully Nielsen and Bjørnstad
was as a car importing firm, the S-B was the 14 most popular car in Norway
in 1921 (Ford No. 1 with 951; Chevrolet No. 5 with 258)
In the years 1917-1918 I have a photo of a SB with registration
no A 797 with carbide cans as alternative fuel arrangement. I will
mail this to you.
There is a Model D in Norway [Car No. D-791?] owned by a friend
of mine; this car was originally registered with No. A 758. His car
is still unrestored and is a very original four-passenger car similar to
the car in Automobile Quarterly owned by Gary D. Leuthauser. This
car broke a piston in 1927 and was later stored in a barn. Unfortunately
the piston also broke the engine block, and the Ferro engine is totally
damaged. The car is original with original leather interior. My friend
is aware of your organization and will contact you himself in the future.
I do know he is desperately seeking a new engine, if your organization
can provide information, I would bring this to his attention.
Recently I bought my Model C restored as is. An earlier owner
of my car was Torbjørn Haugen. The car was produced early in 1916
as Car No. C 3266. The car was originally sold new in Norway April
1916 and registered as A 759. Parts of this car (mostly of the chassis
including cowl, gas tank, steering, windshield) was found in a barn in
the 80`s and was undertaken restoration then. The car is put together
with other parts from other S-B remaining, and most of the body is redone.
The car is colored in red and black with wheel in white, and not blue-black
as in specifications. The motor installed in car was a 1926 Chevrolet Superior
engine that was replaced with a Mason 490 engine. I am aware that
the car probably was delivered with a Sterling engine, but there is none
available in Norway. I will make an S-B valve cover to fit this engine
Instruments: According to sales catalogues and illustrations,
they show the instrument panel covered in leather along with the interior
of the doors. The Light Car article of Oct. 1917 refers to the dashboard
as being of polished mahogany. My car will now be redone in polished mahogany.
I am interested in photos that show the instrument panel arrangement and
type of instruments. I do have most of the original instruments,
but there seems according to photos to be a ring surrounding instruments.
Recently a friend bought starting/light switch at Hershey.
Upholstery: The driver's seat is slightly in advance of the passengers
seat, an extra swing out seat for occasional passenger is not installed
but available. According to photos the 1916 Model C seats seems to be of
deep buttoning of diamond type, while my car has ordinary pleats stripes
similar to the 1917 Model G in Antique Automobile. The chairs in
my car have separate backs but jointed seat. I am interested in details
photographs and notes which describes the coach trimming, seat arrangement,
and access to the luggage room behind the driver’s seat. Access is
easily done with seat arrangement as is, but unknown when chairs with deep
buttoning of diamond type are fastened to the body? If the interior has
been unsuccessfully restored, it will probably be redone according to authentic
information.
Wheels: My car has five demountable Houk wire wheels. The
spare wheel has an original hub cup with the Norwegian car dealers name
marked in it. The four wheels are all missing the hub plates bearing the
logo. According to the article in Antique Automobile, there is referred
to a flea market where the owner did buy new hub plates with the logo,
replacement dash instruments etc. Are you aware of dealers with NOS
hub plates?
Windshield: My car has a windshield which do not look exactly
similar to the other S-B I have seen, but was found as is in the barn.
Inner wing rear: Between rear wing and the body there is an inner
wing which is missing and will be made as soon as I know how these
looks from behind the car?
General information: I am very interested in services you can
provide. I am particularly interested in pictures describing original
details which might be incorrect in my car. If there are available copy
of parts list or other manuals, I would be most obliged. For your
information I do have the following material, and will make a copy if you
are missing some of these:
Model C Instruction Book [1915] 24 pages
Autocar 20/11/1915 article 3
The Car Illustrated 16/06/1915 article 2
Antique Automobile Mar/April 1981 6
The Light Car 10/01/1915 1
The Light Car 22/09/1915 3
The Light Car 31/10/1917 1
Sales Catalogue 1916 [Cadillac Press] 14
Norwegian ads 1916 3
Norwegian ads 1919 1
Further more, I do have the Automobile Quarterly Vol. XIII No
3, page 228-247 concerning Scripps Booth, and your annual newsletter No
9, 10 and 11. I would like to receive earlier newsletter 1-8.
I suppose that your organization is familiar with the detailing
in the needed information. If you have any information that would
help my quest, I would be extremely grateful to receive it.
Yours faithfully
Aksel Erlend Kopperud Email: rev12@online.no
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