International
Model Works
LIKAMOBILE
www.modelworks-int.com
Hello,
fellow steam enthusiasts. My name is Rick Stoeber, Red Bank,
NJ. Like most of you I've always had a fascination with steam,
especially cars. This is my first venture into the steam automobile
and I'm learning everyday and meeting new steam people all the
time. This is very exciting so please forgive me if I get ahead
of myself.
First I would like to state that Simon Cast, Brad Patton, and
Steve? [sorry I never got his last name] Mr. Tech, of Model
Works, are very enthusiastic and are ready to help whenever
they can. I know that they have probably been overworked with
trying to get the first kits out and getting everything sorted
for smooth transition from kit to kit.
The
original kit 1 was supposed to arrive at the end of December
2004, but they had some foundry problems and were not satisfied
with the product and decided to delay the first kit till around
March of 2005. This was my first experience with Model works
commitment to quality as my future build notes will prove. Then
there was another delay, not sure why, but then I received a
shipping date and Waybill # for TNT Transportation, June 10,
2005. Now I had to follow the shipping and it arrived at US
Customs. I had to file a Power of Attorney, and supply my Social
Security #. Now I'm suspicious, you don't supply your social
to anyone unless it really is important and they can prove themselves.
I received several phone calls from other purchasers as to my
thoughts on that as well. I made a phone call to a friend of
mine who is in charge of Home land security for the NY and NJ
ports. As of Sept. 11, 2001, this is now standard procedure
if you have never been logged in to their records. I was assured
of the security of my records as they can understand my concerns.
Once the paper work is done, Oh Yeah, I only had 15 days to
get through this red tape; otherwise storage fees are applied,
from, what I've heard they aren't cheap. I was dealing with
Ileene Keeny, with Eagle Global Logistics, she handled everything
on my behalf and was totally professional and quite knowledgeable
with customs procedures, she was also quite interested in what
all these packages from Model works were, and she also told
me that customs will open the package to inspect its contents.
(Guns, bombs, chemicals, etc.) On June 30, 2005 the first installment
cleared customs and was now in transit to my door.
During
August, I attended an early car show in McCungie, Pennsylvania.
What came steaming onto the show field was an 1899 Locomobile
Steam Carriage. Needless to say I introduced myself and explained
the Likamobile project. The owner of this wonderful steamer
is Mr. and Mrs. Donald Davidson. They had heard about Model
works project and expressed as interest in seeing its progress,
and gave me an open invitation to their home in the future.
I hope to get together with them soon. There are several photos
of their car posted. Our project is closer to the 1899 model
than the 1900, especially the center tiller, which changed to
side tiller in 1900. Also the rear axle center support is flat
steel in 1899 and round steel tube in 1900. There is a great
deal of engineering in our kit to keep it true as possible to
the authentic, along with the improvements that Locomobile did
incorporate as they went with production.
If
you have any information or ideas for improving or building,
please pass them along as I will try to get them on the site.
Also I would like to set up a roster of all US Likamobile
projects, as well as world wide so we can help each other. Please
bear with me, as I am not web savvy, I have a friend that is
building my site and will enter everything for me. Two local
friends in NJ are also building Likamobiles, Gil Harris, and
Rolf Marganeau. Hopefully we will be steaming by July 2006.
Fell free to contact me, don't be insulted if you don't get
an immediate response, I will get back to you. Here's to the
future steamers, have fun. Also posted are several original
Locomobile schematic drawings. I blew up the photos and mounted
them on my shop wall.
Rick
Stoeber
68 White St. #332
Red Bank, NJ 07701
MemoriesDreams.com
RicksKlassics@aol.com
732-890-0084 EST