Thanks for asking! Going well. All this quarantining has given me a lot of time to work on it. Funny you should ask about it now. I got it running about 3 weeks ago and put all of 12 miles on it driving around the local neighborhood and then it started running rough and I barely made it home and into the garage. Couldn't get it to start. Cousin Dave came up Thursday and we went through the ignition system. After all, there are only so many things that can go wrong! Anyway, a couple tweeks here and a couple improvements there, but the big culprit turned out to be the coil. Repro coil that lasted all of 12 miles...
Anyway, back on the road again, running great (better than it did originally). Will start over on venturing out and about. Below are a couple photos from our recent test drive with Cousin Dave at the wheel.
Dale Carter VCCA #8661 1948 Fleetmaster Convertible 1948 RHD Stylemaster Sedan Delivery 1948 1-Ton Tow Truck 1967 Camaro Coupe
Nice! He gets to keep his usual seat, but you throw the wheel over there for him! Any awkwardness learning to hang on from the other side of the car while Dave is driving?!
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
I thought I had responded to this but I guess it didn’t take. It does take some getting used to to be the passenger on the left. We were surprised that the shifter on the left side of the column wasn’t as awkward as expected, but you are a little more conscious of what you’re doing.
Last edited by decarter; 08/08/2006:39 PM.
Dale Carter VCCA #8661 1948 Fleetmaster Convertible 1948 RHD Stylemaster Sedan Delivery 1948 1-Ton Tow Truck 1967 Camaro Coupe
Wow, you have come a long way from last pics I saw. Sharp ! Is that Sport Beige or a cream color. Of course you know I'm partial to the Sport Beige. Glad you got it running better. Interior done also ? Have fun in your newest ride.
Question for RHD vehicles like Dales. ! Something I never thought of until I read his comment on the shifting lever being on the left. What is the foot pedals arrangement. I assume the foot starter (if a car has one)would be in the center as a LHD car. But how is the foot throttle, clutch, brake and dimmer button laid out ?
The '48 RHD layout is very different from the LHD version and was a big surprise to me. Amazingly, it doesn't have a foot starter pedal, but instead has a pushbutton starter on the dash, similar to what was used on Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles (?) and also after doing some digging, used on the 1948 Dubl-Duti trucks. See photo. When I first got the car, I "assumed" the start switch on the dash was something that was an aftermarket add-on (after all, 1948 Chevrolets don't have push button starters!!) and actually went and bought a foot pedal assembly because I figured it had been removed and discarded somewhere in its previous life. But no, not a starter pedal in the middle.
Gas, Brake and Clutch pedals are the normal layout, just on the right hand side. Column shifter is on the left of the column - not really enough room to put it on the right. Also interestingly, the engine and transmission layout is the same as the LHD (except for where the clutch fork comes through the bell housing), so all the accelerator pedal and transmission linkages run across the front of the firewall to then get linked up to the carburetor and shifting mechanisms. As you might guess there are some convoluted linkages going on.
Dale Carter VCCA #8661 1948 Fleetmaster Convertible 1948 RHD Stylemaster Sedan Delivery 1948 1-Ton Tow Truck 1967 Camaro Coupe
Dale: Where might the dimmer light switch be ?? Don't tell me its in the turn signal stalk !! Which brings up another question. Where would the accessory turn signal unit mount? On the right I assume?? If I remember correctly the SD only had one tail light and it was in the center of the rear cargo door. I guess you would have to add lights on the rear if you wanted to have turn signals. That's some unique vehicle you have!! I'm anxious to see it.
We need to come up with a unique business idea to paint on those empty side panels. Something like "The Leftorium" from the Simpson's. Ned Flanders store for all people left handed!
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Since it's a RHD vehicle how about something like " It's the Right Place" or " The Right Place, 1234 Correct Ave. Novelty, Ohio" or "It's OK to be Right Handed" Dale, Aren't you glad we are naming your SD ?
The dimmer switch is actually mounted in the removable center floor panel over the transmission. Keeps it in the relatively same layout as the LHD cars.
Taillights: Yes, standard is the center mount light only. Chevrolet offered Dual Lamp Equipment for the '40-'48 Sedan Deliveries using the 1939 Coupe taillights. I have installed them on my car (see photo) because Cousin Dave tells me you have to have turn signals - no one these days would have any idea what it means sticking your hand out the window, especially on the RHD you'd look like you were pointing to the right when signaling left... Anyway, dual lights and yes, the turn signal switch has to mount on the right side of the column,
Paint color - unfortunately not a '48 Chevrolet color. This car was originally green (see photo). As mentioned this car was assembled in South Africa and its last owners used it in their Safari business and painted it this khaki color. Trying not to do another restoration and just enjoy it, so it will be this color for the foreseeable future.
Dale Carter VCCA #8661 1948 Fleetmaster Convertible 1948 RHD Stylemaster Sedan Delivery 1948 1-Ton Tow Truck 1967 Camaro Coupe
Dale: I had forgotten how the rear bumper curved in order to make it easier reaching for whatever stuff would be carried in the back. The 48 motor I gave you came out of a SD I had bought (o/a 1970) thinking I would use the 15" wheels on my 47 that I was working on. Found out later 47 didn't offer 15" wheels. The SD had been used by a house painter who wasn't too careful about not spilling/splashing paint inside.The body and frame of the SD was really bad. Somehow a fellow from Pittsburgh area found out I had it and wanted to buy it. He said he didn't care how bad it was. He gave me the money( don't remember how much) and I signed the title over to him. He then said for me to scrap it and keep whatever I get for it. All he wanted was a PA title that showed 1948 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. He was restoring one and didn't have a title. I kept the complete power train, steering box, wheels, radiator and dash and scrapped what was left.
