In case anyone has been wondering...

...where the heck I've been and why I've not been active, there is a good reason.

I've always loved old cars and trucks and I think one of the most fun things in the world is to get old neglected vehicles road worthy again. Well, back in February, my uncle called me and told me he had an old car on his property that he acquired from a property he cleaned out a few years ago. He said he was tired of looking at it and knew I liked these old things and thought he'd ask if I'd like to buy it. So I went over and this is what I saw.

It's a 1941(PRE-WAR!) Chevrolet Special Deluxe Sport Sedan.
This thing is all original. Original engine, transmission, interior, the whole lot. 29,000 miles believed to be original. A true time capsule. And virtually no rust, save the surface.



So naturally I wanted it and we made a deal. I made it my mission to then make it to a local car show with it, in just 3 months.
When I got it home, I began ordering parts I knew I needed and as those arrived, I was able to further assess what else was needed. The big thing was, would this thing run? It has been last registered in 1974. And the engine itself is 73 years old. So naturally, I wasn't all that hopeful. But I've always had the motto that, "if it has a piston, I can make it run." So I pressed on. Oil in the cylinders to lubricate the first times turning it over. It has a hand crank hole so I fashioned one out of an old socket and 1/4 drive extension and to my surprise, it slowly began to turn. Fairly easily, actually. So when I knew it wasn't frozen, it was game one. Ordered a new starter, carb kit, plugs, wires, new fuel pump, all the tune up stuff. I removed the dizzy and turned the oil pump with a drill to pre-oil everything. I reinstalled the dizzy to where it would be a 0 deg advance since it would need adjusting anyway and I was just trying to get it to run. Once all the tune up parts were on, it was time. I primed the fuel line, and bumped the starter a few times to get the fuel to fill the carb. Connected the coil, turned the key, and kit the starter. After a few pops, it started right up! The mechanical gauges began moving showing good oil pressure and water temp. I let it run a few minutes before shutting her down, but all seemed good.

I got the engine running like a top, changed the oil, fixed the coolant leaks, new tires, and began work on the rest of the car. Completely new brake system, however still stock. Adjusted the transmission linkages so I had all three forward gears as well as reverse, and adjusted the parking brake. I even had some time to add a few visual upgrades, like a Fulton visor and side view mirrors, and do a 12v conversion. It was a heck of a trip getting this thing back on the road, but it was worth it. And I'm proud to call it mine. Here's some shots from the show.


And of course me and the beast.


So that's what I've been up to. I will certainly be looking forward to receiving the traveling engine and running it after being so busy lately. If anyone wants to see more pictures of this car's journey, you can see them on my facebook album.
1941 Chevy SD Revival

Hope you enjoy seeing this old gal back on the road, I sure do.

Have a nice night,
Chris