It was 12-13 years ago. I was driving the backroads, either on a Saturday or after school. What originally caught my eye was an old dump truck rotting away next to a little farmhouse. I had to stop and see what I could get myself into! Nestled off to the side was a gravel driveway. As my eyes wandered, they suddenly got much bigger-I could see the gates to scrap metal heaven. Several large old logging trucks, semi-trailers, bread trucks, old autos, large old barns, piles of steel, and a large anvil on a stump. Shit everywhere, but it was organized chaos. I knew I would fit in. I would have to say that what started out as a random drive ended in a great friendship with countless hours of front porch sweet tea drinking and bullshitting. It’s an early 1900s original! You just don’t see too many of these, and I wasn’t leaving without it. The wood was rotted and the frame was so rusted; it had been sitting exposed to the elements for many years. I had the vision though-mission accepted??? . The cast iron hardware and framework were so unique; I had to bring it back to life! I never thought it would take me 12-13 years to start it, though?? . I only wish I had a photo of the cart the day I found it?? .. This project turned out?????????? . Big thanks to Gene Fritsche for all your work on this one. We kicked some ass, buddy???? . WHAT IS A HIT & MISS????? A hit-and-miss engine is a type of internal combustion engine that was popular in the early 20th century, primarily used for small-scale applications like powering farm machinery, water pumps, and small factory equipment. It is named for its method of operation; the engine “hits” (fires) only when necessary and “misses” (coasts without firing) when the load is low or when the speed of the engine is above the set level. These engines are HEAVY BASTARDS, and you needed one of these “trucks” to transport your power from job to job! The last photo I attached is very close to this model and how this particular cart would have been used. I personally think this would be awesome if someone used this for displaying a restored hit-and-miss???????????? but There are so many different uses-coffee table, pull the kids around the yard?? , wheel out your store sign for the day?? , store display? 7 ft total length with handle.
