Classic/Antique Car Repair: Using retard control, climbing a hill, steering wheel

Question
I have a 1923 Studebaker and it is my first vintage car Can you  give me advise on driving her using the retard control on the steering wheel and when not to use it I am not mechanically minded and will be useing the car for pleasure

Answer
This is to set the spark timing back so that the engine will not kick back when starting. Retard the timing to start the car and when the engine fires slowly advance the timing to get the engine to run smooth. When driving advance the timing to provide a smooth running engine with the least amount of throttle. When climbing a hill it may be necessary to retard the timing just a bit to stop spark knock. It will take some playing with the thing to get comfortable with it.
Brad