Hi everyone, thank you for this great forum. I’m a Diehard Chevy guy to my core. I’m looking to save a 1927 capital that I was told was a truck. The gentleman selling it has agreed to give it to me for a very fair price but I’m hoping I can put some pictures on here and get all of your opinions. The frame, engine, transmission, axles and wheels are all original. The cab scares me a little. It’s a little rough and is missing a lot. I understand most of them were wood but how do you repair the wood back to original? Are there any books or resources to look at? Thank you all in advance!!
Welcome to this website and the wacky world of four cylinder Chevys!
I had a '27 Chevy one ton truck (Lurch) for the last 29 years, so I can help with questions about mechanical stuff. However, I can't help you with questions about the cab or wood, since Lurch's cab rotted away before I got him and I never rebuilt it. Follow his link below for photos and our story.
There are other folks here who do have viable cabs on their '27 and '28 one ton trucks and I'm sure they'll chime in.
You can also use this site's Search Function to find previous discussions about stuff you are interested in. For example, I used +cab +wood as the search criteria and among the hits was this discussion, which is in the direction of your question: 1927 Chevy truck cab mounting question
Thanks Dean!! There’s definitely a few mechanical pieces missing or that will need replacement. I noticed the crankshaft pulley was missing, the water neck, and the exhaust manifold was cracked. Also, the original vacuum canister and fuel tank are gone. How hard are these parts to find? Everything else mechanical seems to be there and in pretty complete shape. I can turn a wrench and have good friends that can rebuild engines so I think we could get the mechanical stuff worked out.
Hey Chris and welcome, I am no expert. I only know what my 28 Capitol LO looks like and I know the 27 trucks look like as they are basically the same. That cab does not look like mine. With the sun visor design I would almost guess it to be a 29 cab, but even that seems wrong to me because in 29 I think they still had the roof as a separate piece that was covered with vinyl and bolted down to the cab framework not metal like the pictures you provided. Also I think the 29 had a recessed firewall to allow for the straight 6 that they added that year not the bubble type firewall in your pictures. 27/28 trucks and cars (at least those years) I thought all had what I think is referred to as a sunrise firewall (see my attached picture) Circle in the middle with ribs that project out and the firewall is flat. Other members can correct me if needed on that one. I also don't think there was a cowl vent those years. IDK if this is maybe a touring car body cut down to function as a truck cab and a steel roof added? The fire wall looks like it may be put in there from a different vehicle. Help from others? The hood looks to fabricated from two different hoods also either to make it wider, or because? The frame looks to be 27 though. Engine looks like a 27 block with a 28 head on it which is common. 27 heads were single exhaust port and pictures clearly look like this one has duel.
As to other concerns; wood can be made or bought. In my case I bought some of the wood that was the most complex (not that any of it is over the top for someone with good woodworking skills, just takes time and patience) I bought my A pillars (hinged pillars) B pillars (latch), windshield cross bar at dash, one door header, and one sill from a wood supplier. I then duplicated the other pieces I only bought 1 of. This gave me a huge head start and allowed me to right off the bat start mocking stuff up with the wood and sheet metal enabling me to make the rest quicker and easier. Think of it as putting together a jig saw puzzle. Most always start with the edge pieces and then the more prominent scapes in the picture then move onto the rest. Kinda comes together like that. If you like the challenge it will be rewarding, parts can be had, but are not always inexpensive unless you are patient, do a lot of searching and most of all forge relationships with guys here and elsewhere that have stuff around to help it come together. And the forums are your friend. Several to glean from. And make a file or a couple like I have to clip and store web pictures you find. It is easier to start with a more complete project (if your looking to restore vrs rat rod and it's what I would recommend) again unless your patient, and money is plentiful :) Hopefully that helps! David
Chris, Welcome to Chevy Chat. I think your cab has been fabricated by cutting a sedan body in half and then making a new back panel. I'm not sure when the first Chevy cab with rounded rear corners appeared, but I am guessing 1931, or so. If you are hoping for a finished product that is a correct and authentic truck, I would say that this is not your starting point. If you are OK with a fun truck that makes people smile and takes a load of kids in the Holiday parade, go for it.
Now, as for that NAPCO in your handle, tell us more about that. I sold mine a couple of years ago, after almost 35 years of ownership.
Hello Napco, I agree with 35Mike, and David S. The cab is most likely made from another car. The cowl looks like a Durant to me which would have been made by Hayes body builders. I also agree with 35Mike about putting something together and having fun with it.
One of my projects in the works is a depression style '28 Chevrolet roadster pickup, put together from parts that would have been drug out of the boneyard behind the barn. When we joined the Columbia River Region there was a fellow there that had one. It was an assemblage of several years of vehicle. Mechanically a '28 touring frame, '28 wheels with '31 axles and bed. Valuable - no. But when he would pull up anywhere with it people would come quickly to see what it was. He toured with it for years.
. Hi Chris, As has been pointed out in previous posts, the chassis appears 27 One Ton but I don't recognize the cab. Chevrolet offered four One Ton trucks in 1927. Photo #1 is flat face cowl chassis with body to be supplied by an outside manufacturer. Photo #2 is Cab & chassis with cargo box to be supplied by an outside manufacturer. Photo #3 is Chevy stake truck. Photo #4 is Chevrolet Panel truck. The Stake truck and Panel truck were discontinued in 1928 but Cab & chassis was still offered on 28 LO & LP. With exception of the Light Delivery available from 1918 to 1925, no bodies were offered on the half ton chassis until the second half of 1931. I hope this gives you an idea of what to look for. . . Good luck, . Lou .
