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I found a photo of this Rolls roadster. I love this thing. Whose bodywork was this? Any still around?

I just love these things.

Puttering on my own stuff tonight.

Raleigh is on the lift, Still pondering what's going to happen.

Even though it's not for a customer, I still went through all the bins of parts and made a list of what's in them so I don't have to go digging every time.

This is the way.

Ruckstell axle reassembled and back in the 1911 Model T.
Had to modify the parking brake shoes to clear the safety hubs.
  #1911ModelT #Ruckstell #sgmechanicalservice #ifixstuffyoucant

This car just showed up for consignment, I absolutely love it.  Recently, it’s done the Wilbraham Hill climb, as well as Watkins Glen racetrack with the Ragtime Racers.   Known history to the 1950s in this configuration.

1932 Bentley 8-Litre with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner.  8- Liters over 6 Cylinders.  220 HP.  Gobs of Torque.  Pure.

I had the opportunity to put this car through its paces on the 2026 North American Bentley Tour, and I’ll admit it managed to impress a rather difficult-to-impress non-Bentley guy.

Huge hills, long stretches of open road, sustained speed...it simply didn’t care. Just massive, effortless power from a car built nearly 100 years ago.

I’ve driven my share of serious prewar machinery, and I’d put the Bentley 8-Litre among the most powerful and capable prewar automobiles ever built.

My latest project that I’ll probably regret getting myself in to came in today. I have a customer with a Norton 850 Commando that had a rusted, leaking fuel tank. He wants me to paint the reproduction tank that he got. Looks like pretty good metal work but needs some attention where the two halves were joined together on the top. Could be a fun project. I’ve always had a soft spot for these bikes and  I’d love to have a Norton built as a cafe racer some day.

My question (or pondering) might have a different answer or “hierarchy“ based on era.  For instance: early to mid 20’s, late 20’s to early 30’s, mid thirties to WWII…….  It also might be affected by certain builders that are associated with expensive platforms (ie. Duesenberg).

What I’m wondering from some of you pre-war guys who are into high-end American Classics is was there a perceived pecking order of quality and prestige amongst American coach builders in the 20s and 30s?

Brunn, Dietrich, Waterhouse, LeBaron, Murphy, Derham, Brewster, and others.  Has there been any analysis or strong opinions written by those who would know about how they stacked up against each other?  Is there a recognized top coach builder or did that prize shift over the years based on era and who was leading design at each of them?  I know there was also movement of talent between them so that also blurs the lines.

I’m curious as to what others have heard and thought.