Number 15                                                       by Ken Kaufmann                                                       December 2002 

  Model D Engine Serial Number FS258 Found?
    Hi Ralph, Thanks for sending me the close up images of your Model D engine serial number. Your email contained two image files but no message. It appears the serial number is FS258, but the last two numbers are badly rusted away by corrosion. What did you make of it?
    I loss all our pass correspondence and the photos you emailed me when my old computer had a hard drive failure about two weeks ago, and I would appreciate if you could resend it to me.
    I think you are the guy that had an S-B V8 engine in your mom's storage locker and was trying to identify it? Regards, Ken
    Ken, I wasn’t too sure if the text of the previous email made it to you or not. We did find some numbers near the flywheel. That is what the picture is on the previous email.
    I also wanted to know if this engine is worth anything to anybody. Would it be worth donating to a museum or something like that? I appreciate your help, Ralph
rf3711@sbc.com
    Hi Ralph, Please email the photos you have of this engine [again?] since my old computer lost all my emails for the past 3 years, last month. What was the story on this engine and what do you think is missing or not re-buildable? Does it have the generator, starter, carburetor, distributor, clutch, transmission, or any other non-basic engine parts? Where are you located - I live in So Calif.
    I can't think of anyone who has been looking for a spare S-B Model D engine, and I know of 4 other spare FERRO V8 engines that S-B Register car owners have.
However, I might be interested in your V-8 engine whether or not it is re-buildable or only suited as a non-running display engine. It might be a good engine for the basis of a period area speedster, if a suitable chassis could be located? Regards, Ken
Obituary From The Detroit News
    BLOOMFIELD HILLS- Ellen Catherine Norlen Booth, a gourmet cook whose husband was the grandson of The Detroit News' founder, died in her sleep on Friday, July 13, 2001, at her home in Brewster, N.Y. She was 91.
The longtime Bloomfield Hills resident had lived in Florida and Connecticut before settling in Brewster. She was born in Anaconda, Montana and attended business college. She was the second wife of car designer James Scripps Booth. His father was former News Publisher George Booth, a founder of Cranbrook. His grandfather was James Edmund Scripps.
    Ellen Catherine Norlen Booth was a cat lover and vegetable gardener whose pastimes included growing orchids and reading biographies of world leaders. She also admired Winston Churchill.
    "She was a quiet person and did all the very nice things grandmothers do," Carol Booth of Birmingham said of her stepmother-in-law. Mrs. Booth at different times attended Presbyterian and Methodist churches, her family said, but in her latter years she called herself a born-again Christian.
Lois Booth of Birmingham, Mrs. Booth's granddaughter by marriage, said she will always remember her "as a very nice, sweet lady."
    James Scripps Booth married the former Ellen Catherine Norlen in Detroit in February 1943. He died in 1954.
Survivors include seven grandchildren, Thomas L. Booth, David Marentette, Daniel Marentette, Carol Virginia Beesley, Nancy Booth Hanscom, Brooke Van Gerbig and Ellen Skinner; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. Services were Tuesday at the Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster, N.Y.
My Grandfather owned a Scripps-Booth Model?
    Dear Mr. Kaufmann: My name is Joe Hodkin. I'm looking for information on the first Scripps-Booth 4-door touring. This is a long story. My Grandfather, Joe Hodkin, had only one auto in his life and that was a Scripps-Booth. I don't know what year it was. There is only one relative (80) alive who seen the auto (Norm Herington). He said it was a rag top and it was a long auto. He also said that my Grandfather drove it from California, where he worked in the oil fields, to where we live in Western N.Y. It's like looking for the Holly Grail. I do know that my Uncle Fred was born in California in 1916, and Uncle Phil who was born next was born here in N.Y. in 1918. My Grandmother was from here, and my Grandfather drove it back here. He ran a small grape farm. Some time before 1921, he lost his left eye pulling brush. So in 1921, the first year you had to get a drivers license, he didn't think he could pass the drivers test, so he never took it. He stored the auto until 1934, when they moved 50 north to Tonawanda, N.Y., where he worked in a gas refinery. Before he moved he gave the car to a good friend, who made a tractor out of it.
    I'm 55 now, but when I was 14 and was just starting to hunt, I thought I seen the fenders on his friends dump. I just found out that this tractor is still in the woods of this guy’s brother. Got to wait till the snow melts now. I'm looking any information, pictures, spec's, anything. If it is there, I would like to rebuild it. I just finished building from scratch an 1886 Benz Auto Wagon and the engine runs. I even had a 26-in. flywheel pored in cast-iron. I'm a Machinist. All I had were pictures from the internet. I've chewed your ear enough. Hope you get this and I here from you soon. Regards, Joe
    Hi Joe, thanks for your interesting message. I am not sure what model Scripps Booth this might be that your grandfather had?
    The first S-B 4 door Touring was the 1918 Model H that had a V-8 engine, but it was shortly discontinued in mid year when S-B was transferred from Chevrolet to General Motors in mid 1918. This Model H V-8 touring was phased out and replaced with the 1918-9 S-B Six-39 Touring that was based on the Oakland chassis with the earlier 1916-18 S-B styling and the traditional S-B Vee shape radiator. The engine was the same Northway built OHV engine as used in the Oakland and Olds six. The 1920-21 S-B was called the model B with the car looking more like an Oakland with its new flat style radiator.
    The next step is to find out exactly what model your grandfather had - for 1918 it would be ether the Model H with the FERRO built OHV V8 or the Six cylinder GM built Northway engine? S-B had a Model D V-8, 4 pass roadster, that had both a front and rear seats that was built between 1916-17 on the same V8 engine chassis as the 1918 Model H - but the Model D had only 2 front doors. Let me know what you find out, Regards, Ken
    Hi Ken, the chassis was a ’28 Chev truck! Regards, Joe
Photo of a Model C with London Rego LO 5712    
    W. Stewart Wilson is updating his book of postcards of Old Banchory in Kincardineshire and sought to identify this car run by a family in the neighbourhood. ‘LO 5712' was a London registration, records of which have been destroyed. But 18 year old Raul Valkila, came to the rescue with the information, that it is a Scripps-Booth Model C Roadster built from 1915 to 1917 with a 25 HP, over-head-valve, engine from the Sterling Motor Company. Scripps-Booth was founded in 1913, and its slogan was “Luxurious Light Car Manufacturer.” Chevrolet took over in 1917, then GM took over and turned it into a car division in 1918. The last Scripps Booths were made in 1922, but there remains a lively Scripps-Booth Register.
Did You Know Gary Leuthauser?
    Hi Ken, You have a great web page. Had a question for you? Did you know Gary Leuthauser? He was the owner of the 1917 D model Scripps Booth. I knew him. He was a good friend of mine. He died back in the early 80's.
I know after he died, his parents had a disassembled Scripps-Booth in their basement. They sold it to someone? I saw it once  It was a BIG pile of PARTS, but as far as I know the whole car was there. I don't think this was the same car that was in Automobile Quarterly in 1975,
but another unrestored one? Unfortunately, I don't know what model or who bought it? Do you have any pictures of Gary's car? Could you send me a copy if possible? Gary was a great guy, a very interesting fellow. He had a lot of quirks about him. I worked for him actually. He was an absolutely brilliant architect and did general contractor work for a few years. I was a laborer for him for a few summers. I used to live next door to him in Paulinskill Lake, NJ. Thanks, Chris Nagy  Chris_Nagy@earthlink.net
    Hi Chris, No I never meet Gary so only know what I have heard from others. The car in his basement was a 1915 Model C that was sold before he died to Alan Schier in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. We don’t knows who owns his Model D today? There is a photo of Gary’s Model D in my newsletter about two years ago, that I found on the Passport car transport web site. Regards, Ken
Grandmother’s Scripps-Booth Was Stolen In The 70’s
    Hi, my grandmother owned a Scripps-Booth here in Australia during the first World War years. I was given the enameled radiator emblem when she died . I know the car has survived but do not know the current owners? It was actually stolen in the early Seventies. My grandmother used to describe the rounded radiator and that it was like a large limo. I would appreciate any information you could give me on the cars. Regards, Greg Williams
    Hi Greg, Thanks for getting in touch with me on your S-B emblem and your grandmother's car. What State did your grandmother live in? We know that Roy Standford Ltd. in Sydney was the agent for Scripps-Booth - starting in 1916. He sold a few Model C roadsters and then in 1917 imported the much larger Model D V-8 powered 4 passenger roadster in the 1917-18 period. When General Motors took over the company from Chevrolet in mid 1918, the S-B started using the 6 cylinder Oakland chassis, and then built a 5 passenger Tourer with 4 doors. In 1919, the Sydney Cadillac agent, John McGrath was appointed the Sole Agent for the Scripps-Booth  for NSW by the GM Export Co. In 1920 S-B came out with its Model B that had a flat radiator style and basically now looked just like an Oakland or Olds Six. GM discontinued the car in mid 1922. Durance-Mayston Motors in Melbourne were the Sole Agent in VIC from at least 1918 to the end in 1922.
    I am not sure what model you grandmother could of had - if it was like a limo? Most likely it would have been a 1918-19 Six Tourer since this was the last model to have the traditional style ‘Vee’ type radiator. Do you remember if the car only had 2 doors or 4 doors? Do you remember if the car had the wooden or wire wheels?
    I suspect most of the Scripps-Booths were imported into Australia between 1919 and 1922, with the 5 or 6 cars known there today, all are 1919-20 models. If she owned a S-B limo type during 1917-8 World War period, it must had been the Model D 4 -passenger job with wire wheels?
    You should be able to learn more about S-B by visiting my web site. I am coming to NSW in two weeks for a Vintage Chevrolet Rally in Goulburn - then flying to Adelaide for a few days to visit a few car collections. Regards, Ken
Inspected Early Six Chassis In NSW
    The early Scripps-Booth Six chassis we inspected in NSW. What was there was in excellent condition; radiator was 100%, nice wire wheels, and SB hub caps all mint. The oval ID plate at right rear of chassis was missing, but you could see the outline of where it was. (oval shape about 4" long). The body builders ID from firewall wasn't there and didn't look like it ever was as there were no holes evident. There was no front seat frame. Engine number is XC5750[?]. Generator serial number is 91550. Model number is 234D  6. I guess the 6 means that the generator was for a 6 cylinder. Casting on head is 60159  W-8. It also had a spare head that had been fully reconditioned, and it's casting was 20201 HI. I think it is the one you had mentioned the price of $8000, as the guy reckoned he had sold it to a large old car collector in Western Australia for $7000, but yet to be shipped.
The 1918-22 Car Number Nameplates
    Hi Peter, Thanks for getting in contact with me. What does the word "Simonsau" stand for? Sounds French? Did you notice in the S-B newsletter No. 11 that a 1918 Chassis was For Sale in NSW for AUD$8,500? This must be the same car as the one you mentioned from Mogo?
    I have never seen the CAR NUMBER NAMEPLATE used in the 1917-19 period, but think the one on Ebay might be the correct one for my Model G roadster. I have seen the CAR NUMBER NAMEPLATE used in 1920-21 for the B models that is slightly different and says:

IN CORRESPONDENCE
RELATIVE TO THIS CAR REFER
TO CAR NUMBER
 [blank]
SCRIPPS-BOOTH CORP.
DETROIT, MICH.

    The reproduction plate I got on Ebay [I was pre25vintage and Tom Booth was the second bidder] says:

IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH
FACTORY RELATIVE TO THIS
CAR REFER TO CAR
NUMBER
[blank]
SCRIPPS BOOTH CORP.

    Notice this repro plate left out the hyphen in S-B.
    Your Dad in the Newsletter No. 13 mentioned you had also purchased a Model B chassis with engine #BD5027-2X [that he wasn't too sure about] and said you would confirm this engine number and any other numbers found? Is this chassis also Right Hand Drive with magneto ignition? Did you ever find a CAR Number [or is your plate missing like mine is?] and engine number for your 6-39 Tourer? Does this engine have the magneto ignition? I have added your name to receive the newsletters by email in the future. Regards, Ken
Another Six Cylinder Chassis in South Australia
    Dear Ken, Thanks for your note from the other day. Simonsau is nothing more serious than the consequence of a nick-name – I have frequently been known (especially at work) as Simon, and the sau equals South Australia, my former home state.
    Yes the chassis in S-B Newsletter No. 11 was the one I was referring to. It seems to have gone to ground, but would appear to be the same as my 6–39 Tourer.
    The second chassis is also right hand drive, and magneto ignition; the engine number is not easy to determine (a lot of embedded rust) but looks like as quoted (the "X" is a bit of a puzzle though). This chassis was acquired from a farm only about 45 miles out of Adelaide where Dad lives- I live in Canberra which is about 750 miles away. It was described by the old fellow who sold it as a 1921. He did describe it as having the (later) squared off radiator (sadly not with the car). The engine bore appears to be 2 13/16. The 6-39 Tourer Car Number Nameplate (like yours) is missing, and  its engine does have magneto ignition. Thanks for including me on your email distribution. Regards, Peter
Found Model G Chev 4 Engine In New Zealand?
    Dear Ken, I was hoping that you would be able to assist me in identifying an engine I saw at a swapmeet recently. The engine was touted to be a Chev 4 engine of about the 1925 vintage. Except that it did not look like the Chev 4's I have in my 1927 truck. Also there was a very old label on the engine noting that it was a Scripps-Booth engine. If it is a Scripps-Booth engine, I will pick it up as a special buy, and to preserve it for the future, rather than see it disappear into a dump somewhere in a few years time. The engine looked very Chev 4 like, with a single exhaust port, twin inlet ports, etc. There were two small rocker covers (tappet covers) each covering the rockers for two cylinders. The pushrods were exposed. The distributor (missing) was driven off the back of the generator, as was an external oil pump. Alas the drive plate on the back of the distributor had been smashed at some stage in its life. I did not have the foresight to take down the engine number, in fact not even knowing where to look. There was nothing really distinctive about the engine, which was still attached to the front part of the chassis. I can not remember if the clutch was on the engine, or if it was simply covered by bell-housings etc.
    Scripps Booth is an uncommon name, in fact I had only heard of it through your articles in the G&D and VVCA Australia magazines.  If the engine is in fact a Scripps-Booth engine, I will get it and put it aside. The engine still turned over, after many years in a shed.
    Can you help me in identifying this engine, with sample engine numbers, or where to look on the engine for identifying marks. We met a few years ago at the VVCAA anniversary in Forbes, NSW, Australia. At that stage I was going to send you a photograph of my 1952 Bedford Bus - which I never actually did by the way. I hope to be at the next anniversary rally in Goulburn next year. Best regards Michael Dorbeck
    Hi Mike, Yes I remember talking to you at Forbes and will see you next year at Goulburn. If you have found a 1917-19 Model G engine, that was built by the Mason Motor Company in Flint, the engine serial number is stamped on the outer surface of  the flywheel and has a “SB” prefix. It can also be seen on the cylinder head exhaust port, top, flange area. However, this could be a 1925 Chev 4 since it has the twin metal valve covers, while the Model G engine would have a cast-iron one piece with external oilers that lube up a felt strip inside. The 1925 Chev 4 generator has both the distributor drive and the oil pump mounted on the rear, while the Model G the oil pump is driven off the generator front with the distributor driven of the back. The ’25 block has a pad on the left side where the serial # is stamped. Good luck, Ken
Found a 1919 Six Chassis in New Zealand
    Hi Ken, Your newsletters are very interesting, and it helps us to understand the car. Today we went to Te Aroha to visit Bryce Johnston and his Scripps Booth Chassis. A very interesting man who loves old Austins, as he has restored two. He brought his chassis and running gear for 2 pound ($4.00) 40 years ago. It had a home made cab on it. The body was rubbish. The chassis, steering, running gear all complete. The wheels had no tyres, but are wire spoked. The hubcaps are all Scripps Booth. The engine is a Northway 6 cylinder - Casting No. 24538-4-W. This is on the left hand side of the motor at the rear, while sitting in the drivers seat. Engine number MC 49955 stamped just below head on right hand side. Do you know what model this could be? No floor pan or seats so no identification plates. We couldn't find one by the right rear wheel.
    We have videoed it and taken some photo's. But the chassis was in a dark place in his garage and when he takes it outside to move, he will call us and we can get better photo's and on video.
    Graham Power in Auckland is going to video his car, and we are trying to get in touch with Bendon Fox from Levin to do the same thing. When we have these done, hopefully you will get a copy from us.
    If you hear of any more in NZ, can you please let us know? We have got in touch with the archives in Wellington to find out more information on imported cars. Bryce told us that a company in Auckland imported cars back in the prime time of the Scripps Era. McDonald Helligan Motors, so now we are going to trace them.
    A wee small favor. If you can identify the model of this vehicle, do you have the body plans or spec’s of this car. We are considering possible purchase of this chassis. Thanks, Dave & Sandie,  dovevalley@xtra.co.nz
    Hi Dave and Sandie. Thanks so much for tracking down Bryce Johnson in Te Aroha and your report on his 1919 S-B Six-39 (most likely) Tourer chassis. Thanks for confirming that the #24538-4-W is indeed the block casting number and where you found the Engine No. MC49955 stamped on the block right side. The M prefix refers to the magneto ignition this engine was equipped with. Sorry, I don't have any body plans or specifications and would suggest you take measurement off of an existing car and take plenty of photos.
    While searching the Internet for "Scripps-Booth" info, I found that the Yaldhurst Museum [which is being sold] near Christchurch list a unrestored 1917 Scripps-Booth Tourer [item # 622] in its collection in storage. There is no picture or serial # listed like most of the other cars. Below is the link to its cars data base - just go down to # 622. This might be a Model D V-8, since some of the time the 4 pass roadster is called a Tourer, or could be a 1918 Model H which was a 4 door Tourer? This might be an easy one for you guys to check out and might be a match for your radiator?
  http://yaldhurstmuseum.co.nz/database/car.htm
    I am glad you guys are now getting interested in restoring a veteran Scripps-Booth, but I would always suggest you have a good look around and do lots of research first. Good hunting, Ken
Ride in a 1918 6-40 Roadster in Auckland
    Hello Ken  Thank you for your info.  It's a great read, we enjoy what you send us. I am looking for some information.  I am going to Warkworth near Auckland to visit Graham Power.  He has a 1918 6-40 Roadster.  It won’t go properly, and we are going to try and rectify this problem.  We need the tune up information. Do you have this information.  If we get the car working right, I will have my first ride in it. Thanks, Dave & Sandie
    Hi Dave, Plug gap: 0.028"; Points gap: 0.022"; Initial timing [distributor ignition]: 20 deg., with the breaker contacts just opening when No. 1 piston is on TDC, compression stroke, spark control and breaker assembly fully retarded; Firing order: 1-5-3-6-2-4; and Tappets: 0.004 (stop - cold). Hopes this helps - have a fun ride – Ken
Model C Close Valve Engine in New Zealand
    Ken, I have been relocating some of my car parts recently and have managed to get the engine number from one of my Scripps Booth engines. The engine number is 2977 and casting number is 1648F. Also have another engine of the same type. I also found that amongst my spares, I have an under slung front axle for my car. Hope you are having fun with your car.
    Pictured is the engine which numbers are listed above, and also a diff. Could you identify which models had this type of diff? Does it suit the 490 Chev powered model? Could you tell me if Scripps-Booth used the Chev gearbox as well. Regards, Brendon Fox  bdfox@paradise.net.nz
    Hi Brendon, the block cast #1648F indicates the later, above #10,000 serial number engine, so you # must be #12977 and not #2977? The block casting #525F is used below #3000 engine serial number and is the first type engine with 2 7/8" bore and no valve cover.
    Yes - looks like the one on my Model G, but the sure way to tell is - the torque bar is [34 inches] much longer on the Model G because of its longer rear springs, while the Model C with only 1/4 elliptical rear springs is much shorter, and it would be the same length as the spring.
    Yes, my Model G uses the Chev 490 clutch and gearbox - except it has a parking brake handle and different rear housing, since the Model G has an open driveshaft, while the Chev 4 used a torque-tube type driveshaft.
    Thanks for your new email address. Regards, Ken
1919 Six-39 Tourer In UK Auction
1919 Scripps-Booth Model Six-39 Tourer
Registration Number: Not UK registered
Chassis Number ?
Engine Number: ?
    Discovered at a horse-drawn carriage sale in Pennsylvania, USA last year, this remarkably original tourer has seemingly covered less than 8,000 miles from new. Its registration plates date its last apparent public road use to 1926 and the lack of wear in the steering mechanism and controls goes some way to substantiating this. In generally sound condition, the car even retains its tool kit nestled in the driver's door pocket. The engine turns freely and the car retains its rocker cover and starting handle.
    General Motors assumed control of James Scripps-Booth's company in 1918. From then on Scripps-Booths became ever more mechanically similar to their GM brethren although they commanded a healthy price premium. The marquee’s distinctive V-shaped radiator was dropped in 1920 and production ceased a scant two years later. Estimate: £4,500 - £5,500. Reported sold for £5,082.
Parts For Sale
     Hi, I have some 1917 Scripps parts that I am seriously thinking about scrapping. I have adv. these in Hemmings with no results. They are as follows: frame rails, front springs, door or trunk lid? windshield lower section, 2 wheels wooden, 2 hub caps, speedometer, steering wheel center, transmission. If you would know any one that would be interested in this stuff they can have it for whatever they would offer for it, I really hate to scrap these parts. thanks Marshall Kephart, 205 1st Ave. Lakmt. Altoona, Penna. 16602
    Hi Marshall, Yes I remember seeing your ad for 1918 S-B parts in HMN back about 6 years ago with the phone #814-942-8769. This information was printed in our annual newsletter. I have a 1918 S-B Model G roadster [the Model G roadster was built in 1917-19 with the Chevrolet 4 cal engine/clutch/gear box. Do you know what Model these parts are from? The S-B Six cal model came out late in 1918 as a touring and roadster and believe these would have been the first model to use wooden wheels. Does the transmission look like it bolts up to a clutch housing or has a 4 hole flange mount to a frame and is remote from the clutch with no clutch housing? My transmission has a cast # of 14181 on the right side gear case near the top and has a 1 1/8 inch square input shaft.
    What does your lower windshield frame measure out to? Mine is 36 1/2" wide and 8 3/4" high measured at the corner edge and is 4 3/4" in the middle. The bottom corner is a 90 deg angle - not rounded like the 1918-9 Six model which is also about 3 inches wider. Perhaps if we could identify these parts better, we could find a home for them? Regards, Ken
    Hi Ken, Thanks for reply. The transmission cast no. is 14751, input shaft is round & splined 1 5/8" dia. It also has a ratchet gear on side, I guess for a hand brake, 6 bolt mt. flange. Wind shield bottom is 38" across top 7 1/2" in center, 11" on outside edges with rounded bottom corners. The door is 21 3/8" by 29 3/4", I would say pass. side. It is made from sheet metal with a wooden frame work inside. There is a small cast piece at the top rear corner and also one where door handle shaft would have went through, door is decent for its age. I also might have a distributor. I got several of them at the same place-they are definitely old. I don’t know the model & the owner passed away years ago.
     I used to play in this car when I was a very young child- it was a neighbor’s car. This man was a tinker, and he completely dismantled the car even down to taking the frame apart-most of it I guess got scrapped. What I have is from scrounging around the property when the family sold the estate. Well that’s the story. I dabble a little in Ford parts. I set up at Ford Carlisle once a year, so if some one could use this Scripps stuff, I would trade for a little Ford stuff. Any way thank you for your time, Marshall
    Hi Marshall, Thanks for your reply. Yes, these parts are from a 1918-19 Model Six-39 Touring car from the identification of the transmission and windshield frame. This Six-39 model also came standard with the wooden spoke wheels. I will print your email in my yearly newsletter that comes out around Christmas time. The transmission is manufactured by Warner Gear and might be used on other GM cars like the Oakland and Oldsmobile six. Sorry can't used any of your parts myself. Regards, Ken
Sterling Engine No. 4717 in a 1918 Birch
    Hi, Saw your website and enjoyed reading it. I picked up
some info from it but would like to know where I can get
more info on the Sterling engine. I have a 1918 Birch
auto that has one. It is a 4 cyl. valve o/h. The block
casting # is 645F, the head casting # is 398F and all
parts are stamped with #4717. It has a Remy Dist., Model
207D, ser. #6594. A Allis Chalmers start./gen. (chain-
drive off the flywheel).
    I am in the process of rebuilding the engine and would like to find out the specs. on it (bearing clearances, torques of heads and rods/mains. I also would like to possibly get a picture of the complete engine. Mine was set up from not being run. After disassembly, I found a cracked piston, bad
bearings (main and rod) a bad crankshaft, and thin
valves. Now all repairs have been made and it is ready
for reassembly. The reason I would like a picture is I
don't believe it has the correct coil and am wondering
if there are oilcups on the rocker arm assem.
    I also would like to find out about the Sterling Motor Co. Part of the enjoyment I get out of the antique auto hobby is
researching my vehicles. I am willing to pay for any
info that you can help me with. Thank you for all your help-Buck Hughes   Stephany.k.hughes@att.net
    Hi Buck, Sorry I have never seen any repair info for the Sterling engine, and the only man living who has had recent experience is also a HCCA member in Kalamazoo who last year finished the restoration of the Cornelian Race Car that Louis Chevrolet modified and drove in the 1915 Indy 500 Race. The Cornelian used the Sterling open valve engine. Contact Al Rohrstaff at phone 616-344-4571. Al email is: alrohr616@aol.com
    Attached are two image files with the first one of a photo of a left side of the 3" bore that been modified with a water pump but looks like it has the REMY distributor [except the Scripps-Booth version used a automatic advance type distributor]. This engine is for sale in NYC. For better detail of the rocker arms the second file shows the parts illustration for the S-B version of the Sterling engine up to serial #5000. The manual adds: points where oil should be applied - to the overhead valve mechanism, on top of the valve steam, to the wick in the rocker arm shaft, and to the oil at the top of the push rod. These points should be kept well oiled to prevent any squeaks."
    As for the coil, my REMY catalog printed in 1922 goes back only to the 1916 S-B Model C that started at Sterling engine #10,000 up, which used the same REMY 1922 replacement coil as used on my 1918 S-B Model G and 1918 Chevrolet D5 V8 Touring, which is the 284K coil that has the built in condenser and an external resistance unit that mounts on this coil top. I know the early 1915 S-B Models with the Sterling engine [below #3000 with 2 7/8" bore] used the Atwater-Kent automatic advance distributor, and always presumed so did the later 3.0 bore Sterling engine with serial # from 3001 up to 9999 when switch was made to the closed valve engines [and 12 volt to 6 volt] for the 1916 Models. So perhaps REMY distributors and coils were used before the end of the 1915 model year, or they were supplied as replacement for the A-K models? Is your set up then for 12 VDC? Any date codes found on the block or head yet? Regards, Ken
Writing a Car Magazine Story on Scripps-Booth
    Hi Ken, We talked earlier in the week about Scripps-Booth cars. I am writing a short story for Car Collector magazine about them and am looking for some illustrations for it. I have found a number of advertisements but no photos and wondered if the Register has one or two that I could use. It could be a period image or a contemporary one. It takes some six months before they would be used and returned from the magazine.
    I would be happy to mention the Register in the story. I usually include both the snail mail and email addresses, and a telephone contact. If there is some special point (s) you would like mentioned, please let me know.
    I looked up the Register website and found it’s very interesting. I did not know a DaVinci survives. Some time ago, I found a number of period photos of James Scripps-Booth with the sedan in the Detroit Public Library. It did not seem as unusual as his earlier cars. Brooks Brierley
    Hi Brooks, I have attached my write up story for the VCCA Club magazine on my adventures with my 1918 Model G Roadster on the Canmore Chev 4 Tour this last July. During this cars ‘50’s restoration the whole car was painted red-the fenders and splash aprons should be black. This I am currently doing with all the fenders, hood, and splash aprons presently removed to be painted black.
    I checked my files and found several photos of the ex-Harrah’s 1916 Model C that is now owned by George Pope in Fresno, California. They were taken at a car show, so there are some people and other cars in the background. If still interested, I could scan them for you to preview to check suitability?
    From my website, you might of read that James S Booth's grandson recently bought a 1916 Model C red roadster too. I am sure Tom would be glad to mail you some photos of his pride and joy. You can contact Thomas Booth in the Detroit area at:  tlb999@comcast.net
    I would be happy to look over your proof story and make any correction and comments. Keep in touch, Ken
Scripps-Booth Wanted In The UK
    I would be extremely interested to know if any Scripps Booth cars are for sale?
    I am a member of the Scripps family and live in England where I have a collection of classic cars as well as an archive of car photographs dating from the early 1900's to 1960, mainly of European cars.
    I have always wanted to find a Scripps-Booth and your website would seem a good place to locate one!
    Sincerely, Matt Spitzley
    Hi Matt, Good to hear from you. Yes, there are a few Scripps-Booth cars that should be available that I know about. What condition and what models are you mostly interested in? In fact, a 1919 Six-39 Touring car with about 8000 miles [unrestored] showed up in Great Britain at the Cheffins Auto Auction there this last April 6th. It sold for £5,082.
    Do you have any photographs of Scripps-Booth taken in England? I would also interested in seeing old photos of pre-1920 Chevrolets, 1912-14 Little Fours, and 1910-12 Whitings. We know the Whiting and Little runabouts were sold in England from reports in the MOTOR and other auto trade publications. I am still looking for English newspaper or magazine adverts for the Little and Whiting runabouts and the Scripps-Booth cars.
    The 3 Veteran restored cars I have are a 1912 Little 4 runabout, a 1918 Chevrolet Eight Model D5 Touring, and a 1918 Scripps-Booth Model G roadster that has the Chev 4 engine, clutch, and transmission.
    Let me know your interest since I know about several stateside cars that should be available.
    Are you interested in a copy of the S-B Owners Roster that would give you addresses and phone numbers. Ken
Royal Danish Family Owned Some Model C’s
    Hello Scripps-Booth owners, I am currently doing some research on the cars of the Royal Danish Family for National Danish Television. They had several American produced cars, among them, a 1916 model C that belonged to the Queen Alexandrine and later to her son Crown Prince Frederik (later King Frederik IX of Denmark). I have a nice photo of him in the car. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the car, but what is apparent on this photo. It is a black and white photo, but it seems that it is white, or some light color. It had registration number K461. Do you have any information about this car? Hope to hear from you soon. Martin Lund, Journalist/TV producer nitram@lund.mail.dk
“Appeals Strongly To People Of This Sort”
    Hi Martin, I have attached 2 files that are scans of the 1916 S-B Model C newspaper advertisements where it states Queen Alexandrine, Princess Margrethe, and Prince Aage all were Scripps-Booth owners. Notice S-B was proud that "It happens to be the one American car which appeals strongly to people of this sort the world over." It overseas dealers mainly handled such fine cars as Peugeot, Mercedes, R-R, and Isotta-Fraschini.
    I would be interested is seeing the photo of the Model C with registration K461. I have never heard from anybody before from Denmark, but there is a Model C owner in Norway that has told me about his research of S-B sales in that country. The standard color of the Model C was a very dark blue which we call blue/black and later a gray color was also used to paint the body - both had black fenders and chassis with white painted Houk Wire Wheels. However it was known that special lighter colors were available on special order.
    Are you interested in more technical features of the Model C or of the company itself? Myself, I own a 1918 Model G, which looks just like the Model C except the fuel tank is relocated to the rear of the car under the frame, from the dash/cowl area.
    The Chevrolet company took over the control of the S-B company by 1917, and for the Model G replaced the smaller Sterling engine and transmission, with its own "Four-Ninety" engine with a few improvement. When Chevrolet was merged into General Motors Corp in 1918, S-B became the seventh GM car division. The S-B was then upgraded from a "Luxurious Light Car" to a new position in the GM lineup between the Oldsmobile and the Buick - but didn't sell too well, and was discontinued in April of 1922.
    Most S-B dealers did a lot of local advertising in the big city newspaper in 1916. I bet if you were to look in the Kopenhaven major newspaper in 1916 [spring to fall is most likely] you will find some great S-B ads? Ken
    Hi Ken, I just checked the biggest newspaper in Denmark for spring 1917 S-B adds with no luck. However I did find some in another trendy magazine from that year, and the search goes on. I would very much like to have the American adverts in the book. I think it's very interesting that S-B used Danish Royals to promote their car!
    Does the term “Cloverleaf” speaking of the 1917 C model has any meaning to you? Have you by the way any information as to the history of the SB manufacturers? Regards, Martin
    Hi Martin, by 1917, because of a number of factors, but mainly from the US starting to be involvement in the War with material shortages, the Model C was gaining a poor name and sales were greatly reduced. The improved Model G was first displayed in January 1917 at the NYC Automobile Show but was not ready for delivery until the summer of 1917 as a 1918 model. The Spring of 1916 when the Model C was introduced to Denmark would have been a more likely period for car newspaper adverts. Also, sometimes it was not the biggest newspaper in town where the ads where placed, but the newspaper that appeal to the sporting motorist was the one that had the best automobile editors, and therefore the better auto section with adverts.
    The copies I have of these Royalty adverts where copied off of old, scratch microfilm from the Kansas City Star at the Kansas City Public Library-but perhaps the images could be enhanced? I will rescan them at a higher 300 dpi resolution and send each file as a separate email over a several days period. Let me know how they come out on your end.
    The term “cloverleaf” applies to a body design that was popular in 1915-18 period of a 3 passenger roadster, where there were 2 seats in the front with a single seat in the middle back that you got to by walking between the split front seats. Scripps-Booth never built a 3-passenger cloverleaf roadster. The Model C was a 3-pasenger roadster but the third child seat was moved out from under the dash at the feet of the passenger. The Model D was a 4-pass roadster with 2 seats in back that you got to by walking between the 2 front seats- so seats layout would look like a 4 leaf clover - but the 4-leaf clover term was never used like the “Cloverleaf” term for a 3-leaf clover layout. Regards, Ken
     Hi Martin, I found this newspaper report from the Indianapolis Star for 9 May 1915 concerning the Scripps-Booth dealer in Copenhagen, Messes. Block and Landrup who also handled the R-R, Berliet, and Sunbeam.
20 Scripps-Booth Will Be Shipped Across the Atlantic
    Most significant of the high rank of the aristocracy attained by the Scripps-Booth car is the connections which this car has formed abroad.
    When men like Messrs. Block and Landrup, at Copenhagen, handling only such cars as the Rolls-Royce,  Berilet, and Sunbeam, add the Scripps-Booth to so illustrious a line. It means nothing less than that  the Scripps-Booth qualifies mightily in the necessary points of distinction. The three cars just mentioned possess the acme of grace, luxury, and speed and have come to be so regarded in the old world, a reputation which is valued most highly by their manufacturers and dealers.
The Scripps-Booth has been selected, and Messrs. Block and Landrup have requested that twenty Scripps-Booth cars be transported across as their opening order for the 1915 season.
    Here is my short version of the:
"History of the Scripps-Booth Company, 1913-1922"
    James Scripps Booth, a talent artist and car designer, was born in 1888. His father George Gough Booth married in 1887 Ellen Warren Scripps, one of the daughters of the legendary James Edmund Scripps, founder of the Detroit News in 1873. James E. appointed his new son-in-law to run this newspaper while JSB was a baby. James E only son, William Edmunds Scripps, born 1882, demonstrated an early interest in things mechanical and founded the Scripps Motor Company in Detroit in 1906 to manufacture marine engines. It was in business up till 1956.
    JSB in 1911-12 design and built a large, 3200 pound, 2-wheel vehicle powered by the first V-8 engine built in Detroit named the Bi-Autogo. It proved after a short road test, impractical to drive on the street, and the experimental work was stop after spending a family investment of  $25,000.
    JSB next design a tandem seater cyclecar that was basically a 4-wheel, 36” track, 10 hp, 750 pounds motorcycle, that used leather belts to turn the rear wheel. JSB convinced his Dad and his Uncle Will of the Scripps Motor Co. to invest in this new business. The Scripps-Booth Cyclecar Company was incorporated for $50,000 on November 1, 1913 to manufacture this cyclecar for 1914. With only $5,000 worth of stock paid in by the end of the year, the new company had a slow start. This little cyclecar fad lasted in the United States for only a short few months, so after building about 400 units, production was stop in mid year.
    The next step was to change the course and name of the company, by dropping off the Cyclecar name, and increasing its capital stock to $150,000. JSB created a new market spot in the U.S. by designing and building the "Luxurious Light Cars," with the first production Model C introduced as a 3 passenger staggered seat roadster in February 1914. This stylish roadster that came standard with premium “quick-detachable” Houk Wire Wheels, featured a Vee shape radiator in front, and a torpedo stern at the rear that mounted the spare wheel and tire.
The small 20-hp engine was sourced from the Sterling Motor Co. in Detroit, the same company that built all the big Chevrolet Six Cylinder engines for all of its larger 1913 and 1914 models. This Sterling company, that was started by WC Durant in 1912, was spun off from Chevrolet in mid 1913 to Durant’s next in command, William H Little. Little, who had been second to Durant since 1906, when he was made the Buick Plant manager, re-joining Durant in the end of May 1911, where he was directly responsible for organizing both the Chevrolet Motor Company in Detroit and the Little Motor Car Company in Flint. The Sterling company took over from Chevrolet its fine new plant on West Grand Blvd, when the Chevrolet company was moved to Flint in July 1913, after it was merged together with the Little company.
    The roadster was joined by a bigger 4-passenger roadster for 1916 that was called a "Light Eight." This Model D featured a small FERRO built V-8 engine, that was the first company to cast a one-piece V-8 block.
    However, the Scripps-Booth Company now assembling two types of cars [shipped about 6,000 cars with about 2000 cars being shipped into high class foreign markets], found itself in a cash flow problem, with the Sterling company holding its overdue notes for engines delivered but not paid for. This also cause a serious cash problem for Bill Little and his Sterling company since Scripps-Booth was Sterling’s biggest customer by far. In step, W.C.Durant who, with himself along with the Chevrolet Motor Company of Michigan, still held a large block of Sterling stock, solved the cash problem and merged the two companies together in July 28, 1916 and incorporated in New York as the Scripps-Booth Corporation. Durant by now was also the President of both General Motors and Chevrolet, and he got his relatives and friends to invest in this new corporation. Within a few months, JSB resigned October 3, 1916, as Durant and his Chevrolet company took over control of Scripps-Booth.
    The improved 1917 Model G roadster was announced in January. The weak Sterling engine was replaced by the proven Chev 4 engine and transmission with production starting in late Spring. But now production shortages caused by the War effort and rising material cost had a big impact on production that was greatly decreased. When Chevrolet was merged into General Motors in May 1918, control of Scripps-Booth went with it.
    Then in July General Motors made it official by making Scripps-Booth  its 7th Car Division. The Scripps-Booth Six was by now a bigger car using the chassis and engine that were shared with the Oakland and Oldsmobile Six. With disappointing sales General Motors announced plans to liquidate the Scripps-Booth Division with the last car shipped April 1922. Regards, Ken
My Model G Story Continues
    So Sunday morning Pat and I arrived at the designated Bakersfield parking lot and parked next to this Scripps-Booth that was still up on an open trailer from getting inspected by the CHP and DMV. We met Frank, who turned out to be an old car guy [grandfather gave him a Model A], but is now more into hotrods and fast boats. This past few weeks he has been trying to get his 1918 Scripps-Booth Model G roadster titled in California, so he could sell it. He had it inspected both by the California Hwy. Patrol and the Dept. of Motor Vehicles who gave up and assigned it a California ID number that is now attached to the firewall. I told Frank to look on the flywheel outer circle, which he said he did. He did remove the cast iron S-B valve cover and found the name "MASON" and the DFCO foundry code [Detroit Foundry Company] and 407 D #, but the head has no date code cast into the head that can be seen. On the block, which is a #967 cylinder block, but the # not cast into this block, is the block casting date of 6-29-18. The foundry code is H 3 that stands for the Romeo Foundry.
    I spent a good hour cleaning off 83 years of hard grime off that outer flywheel surface and finally it all paid off as the serial # SB1822 showed up. There were a reported 800 Model G's made in 1917 [up to 12-31-17], 1100 up to 12-31-18. with the last 1100 built in 1919 for a total of 3000. So these numbers make sense with this car being built about 3-4 months after the block date code about November 1918 - since # SB1900 would of been built before the end of December that year. I had never seen how the Mason company stamp the serial # for S-B [the other 4 Model G’s can't find the Flywheel # and the 5th one has a 28 Chev 4 engine/trans in it], but Mason simply added the “SB” prefix. I have seen two Samson 3/4 ton trucks that use about the same Mason engine, and they used the "SF" prefix like: SF1017 and SF5919.
    I have been looking for 30 years for an S-B with the Mason built 171 CID engine and transmission in it, so naturally I was interested in buying this car. I made a good fair offer to Frank for this 50's amateur restoration Model G that been in questionable storage the last 15 years. Frank said he would let me know in a few days, if he would accept it or not? This low slung roadster with its 5 Houk Wire Wheels, would sure make the ideal Chev 4 Tour car 
    Well Frank called that following Wednesday night and said he accepted my offer and will deliver the car down to my house that coming Sunday between 9-9:30 AM. Frank showed up at 10 AM. I pumped up the air in the right rear flat tire, and we pushed the S-B off the trailer in my driveway. We were surprised the hand brake worked good, stopping it half way down the trailer ramps.
    I spent most of day just cleaning the car up. I put the vinyl fabric top up and found the front two bows are cracked in two. I discovered the driver’s door was removable - but took about an hour trying to mate the hinges back together. I removed the right rear Houk wheel lock ring, and then the tire and tube, and found the leak at the stem. I put in a new tube, and re-installed the tire, slip the lock ring back on, pump up tire-and it was all fixed. These new type quick demountable rims are sure easier to change then clinchers any day-I love them! So now I have an easy rolling car, with air in all 4 tires, that can be push around the driveway and garage.
    I still could not find any serial # on transmission case or Car No. plate, that is surposed to be nailed on the right seat heal board. l will look closer for the numbers on the transmission, since I will have to pull it to replace the clutch leather, which is hanging out from the cone clutch.
    I removed the exhaust manifold and gasket, and this head is stamped on the exhaust port top flange clearly "SB1722"! What are the chances that some owner 70 years ago, went down to his local junk yard and found a good cylinder head off another S-B, that the engine was built exactly 100 units before it? Close - but I have an engine where the numbers don't match!
    At least this head is from another S-B donor engine or did the inspector just stamp the wrong #7? and not that of a 1918 Chev 4 which would have had the 'B' prefix. The S-B #407 head is different than the Chev 4, since it has a drilled port to feed water from the heated manifold back to the head. The S-B #967 block also has a raised port that is drilled to supply the hot water to the intake manifold.
    The S-B engine Mason built also featured two half-length push rod covers fastened by 2 thumbscrews. It uses a cork gasket to try and seal up this lifter area. This dressed up engine has a 10-12 pound cast iron valve cover with 4 external oilers that direct lubrication oil to a strip of felt, wedged into the underside of this cover. This good looking valve cover has the letters SB cast into the top, and also has a passageway to route the spark plug wires through it.
    A few days later I was able to move back the stuck right side door latch with a screwdriver and open that door. I then removed the interior panel to lube the lock–with all the interior door wood being in great shape.
    I figured the front Houk hubs and hub nuts are correct for Left & Right, but the rear hubs were install on opposite sides and should be swapped back. I have an extra right side hub nut but need a left side for the spare. I cleaned up the spare 24" Houk Wire Wheel All the #4 Houk Wire Wheels have 60 spokes, #5 have 66, and #6 have 72 spokes, according to the 1917 Houk sales literature I have. However the five wheels I have are Houk #4 hub nuts, but these 24” wheels have 66 spokes. They do have the metal detent inserts inside the #4 wheel hubs that the locking tab on the hubcaps drops into. Likely these 66 spoke wheels are a later 1918 type that were manufactured after the Wire Wheel Corp. took over from the Houk company?
    I took my #5 hub wrench to work thinking our welder could modify my wrench to fit the #4 hub nut, he took it up to our machine shop and had the plasma cutter cut a new wrench out of a 3/8" plate, using the old wrench as a pattern. Then with a little grinding-I had a new #4 clone wrench. I had to still use a 3-ft pipe cheater bar, but got the nuts off in a few seconds.
    I removed the round REMY starter and cleaned up the bendix drive. It works a little slow but need to be check for voltage drops especially on the ground return path to the battery. I think I will add a ground strap from starter to side frame rails.
    Also removed intake manifold and the Carter BB #245S which is a Universal carb that has an accelerator pump and adjustable main jet. It was very hard to take apart because the pump piston was rusted and stuck. I found it was a 1 1/2" carb bolted right up to the stock S-B 1" intake flange. I messed up the carb gasket or float because now it starts but only wants to run for 30 sec and dies like it ran out of fuel.
    I checked with the West Coast Houk wheel expert, and he says his Houk catalog list the #4 hubs, 66 spokes, SS straight side tires with lock rings, with 32x4" tires were used on the 1918 S-B Model H V8 Touring while the 16-17 S-B Model D V8 4 pass roadster used #4 hubs, 60 spokes, plain Clincher 32x4 tires. He joked I just have the wrong engine in my S-B?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Remember, the Scripps-Booth Website is access at:

scrippsboothregister.com