Thanks for all the support, fellas. Makes me feel very welcome!
Yes, I'm aware that I have a '26 model, but it was first registered in 1925, so its Arizona title says it's a '25.
Like I said, my dad worked on it quite a bit, so he's the one who put on the wire wheels, the wooden ones are still here, albeit a little creaky.
He also had the radiator shell nickel plated, along with the headlight rims and reflectors. He replaced the fuel tank, as the original was rusted out.
I have brand new seat springs, upholstery sets, and a brand new top for it. Also, several boxes of bits and bobs. He bought all this stuff and then never got around to it. For 25 years now, I've considered it a full sized model car just waiting to be put together.
It was probably 5 years after he died that I attempted to turn over the engine, and found that it was locked. It was stored with antifreeze in the cooling system, and I assume there's maybe a weeping head gasket. Anyway, after draining the coolant, I took out the plugs and added marvel mystery oil to the cylinders. Within a few days, it freed up easily. Ever since then, I've left the plugs finger tight, and about annually, I give each hole a squirt of motor oil, and then turn over the engine a few times, and it always feels good. Hopefully there's not enough damage to the combustion chambers to cause smoking or compression loss.
He bought it in about 1984 from a guy that he worked with, who found it out in the desert with a fair sized tree growing up through the floor. I guess they had to cut down the tree to move it. That guy had already done a fair amount of work, having the engine overhauled, he said, and getting it running. I have great memories of helping my old man get it home, and helping him work on it. Also fun memories of Daddy teaching me how to drive it. I very nearly crashed it on my first attempt, as I'm a professional truck driver, and my clutch foot simply would NOT release the pressure on the pedal on the left, while approaching a stop sign at a busy intersection!
Luckily the brakes worked well enough to stall it. Whew.
Anyway, sorry for the ramble down memory lane. Although, I suppose that's what these flivvers are all about.
I feel like I've found the right place here, and once again, thank you all.
